2008 Jaguar X-Type

2008 X-TYPE 3.0 SEDAN IN DETAIL

Attractively priced with an MSRP starting at $35,725, the X-TYPE 3.0 combines athletic performance with agile handling, a refined ride and all the luxury appointments expected of a Jaguar. And it continues to be the only compact sedan in its class to offer standard traction-enhancing all-wheel drive.

While the new MSRP is a slight an increase on 2007 base pricing, the 2008 version now includes, as standard, such high cost items such as Jaguar's Tire Pressure Monitoring System, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, memory driver's seat and a message center/trip computer.

'The X-TYPE still has tremendous appeal to customers aspiring to a compact Jaguar with all the Jaguar luxury cues, and the benefit of standard all-wheel drive,' explains Marti Eulberg, executive vice president of Marketing and Sales, Jaguar North America.

DESIGN – A TRÚE JAGÚAR
Introduced in August 2001, the X-TYPE was the first compact-sized Jaguar since the classic Mark II of the early 1960s. It followed closely behind the original S-TYPE – launched in 1999 – and made Jaguar accessible to a whole new segment of buyers, including many who had never previously considered a Jaguar.

The X-TYPE's distinctive, wedge-shaped exterior – seven inches shorter than the S-TYPE – combines strongly sculpted forms – such as the powerful rear haunches and crisp detailing. This gives the car a sporty and purposeful stance, as well as the unmistakable presence of a Jaguar.

The styling incorporates familiar design cues from the last-generation XJ, like the sleek profile, quad elliptical headlamps and low-profile chrome mesh grille. And, of course, the famous Jaguar ‘leaper' hood ornament.

INTERIOR – CLASSIC STYLE


And for 2008, the X-TYPE 3.0 is better equipped than ever, with 10-way power driver and passenger front seats, a tire pressure monitoring system and trip computer/message center added to the car's standard interior feature list.

For the best in audio, a six-speaker, 120-watt AM/FM stereo with CD player also comes standard. Power door locks and power windows with one touch up/down are part of the long list of standard features.

AGILE HANDLING, REFINED RIDE

Jaguar developed the X-TYPE 3.0's driving dynamics to reward the driving enthusiast, providing nimble responses while delivering a traditional smooth, comfortable and quiet ride.

An exceptionally stiff body structure serves as the foundation of the X-TYPE's agile handling and compliant ride. The four-wheel independent suspension, employing a MacPherson strut layout at the front and a multi-link torsion control link system at the rear, delivers a high degree of inherent stability. The front struts are mounted at the top via a unique, twin-bearing system to reduce friction and enhance steering feel.

AJ-V6 POWER FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE


The X-TYPE's 24-valve, four-cam 3.0-liter AJ-V6 engine is derived from the S-TYPE's proven AJ-V6 powertrain, and uses a lightweight alloy cylinder block, alloy cylinder heads and a steel crankshaft. With advanced features, such as continuously variable cam phasing and advanced, 32-bit engine management system, the engine delivers spirited and athletic performance coupled with competitive fuel economy and low emissions.

The 3.0-liter engine is highly efficient, delivering 227bhp and 206 lb.-ft. of torque. Mid-range torque is particularly impressive, with more than 90 percent of peak torque available between 2,500 and 6,000 rpm, and more than 80 percent available from below 1,500 rpm through the maximum engine speed of 6,800 rpm. Against the stopwatch, the X-TYPE is an athletic performer. In benchmark 0-60mph acceleration, the X-TYPE 3.0 automatic covers the distance in just 7.1 seconds.

RING OF SAFETY

The X-TYPE's advanced airbag system features dual-stage deployment of the front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and state-of-the-art side-impact head protection curtain airbags for the front and rear outboard occupants.

Helping protect the lower legs of the driver, the X-TYPE features an inflatable knee bolster airbag located within the driver-side footwell. Side airbags that deploy from the outer side bolsters of each front seat and the curtain airbags complete what is known as the ‘ring of safety'. This ‘ring' helps protect the driver and passengers on three sides of the cabin.

TRACTION-4 DELIVERS ALL-WEATHER CONTROL

The X-TYPE 3.0 derives its great-driving character from the Jaguar Traction-4™ advanced all-wheel-drive system – the first in Jaguar's history. It's an innovation that sets the X-TYPE apart from its competition as it continues to be the only car in its class to come with standard traction-enhancing all-wheel drive.

JAGÚAR X-TYPE SPORTWAGON IN DETAIL

VERSATILITY – KEY TO THE PREMIÚM ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE WAGON

Jaguar's first ever production wagon – the X-TYPE Sportwagon – debuted in 2004 as a 2005 model. It has since attracted a new generation of sport wagon buyers to the Jaguar brand who base their purchase decisions primarily on style, versatility, and driving dynamics.

The X-TYPE Sportwagon gives design-conscious consumers the perfect blend of functionality, style and performance to accommodate their active lifestyles without compromising their desire for sophistication. Designed for use, owners have all the cargo area flexibility and space to meet their needs.

DESIGN

Based on the X-TYPE sedan, but with unique body styling and structure from the rear, B-pillars back – including rear doors and roof – the X-TYPE Sportwagon offers an unrivalled combination of luxury, refinement and flexibility.

Working with key competitor benchmarks in terms of carrying capacity and convenience features, the overriding design brief was not to compromise the X-TYPE's Jaguar aesthetics simply to achieve load volume. Thus, the X-TYPE Sportwagon offers Jaguar style and dynamics at all times and the useful carrying capacity of a sport wagon whenever needed.

From the B-pillars back, the elongated roof dips much more gently towards the front – further improving the already generous rear-seat headroom and requiring taller upper rear side-door profiles inlaid with totally new rear quarter windows. The tailgate has a dynamic slope to its rear glass, and a spoiler – strategically placed on its top edge where it joins the roof – helping to give the X-TYPE Sportwagon a subtle, sporty side profile.

FELXIBILITY – AND INTERIOR WITH ENDLESS OPTIONS

The X-TYPE Sportwagon is designed for people with active, demanding lifestyles. However, it is not merely a ‘lifestyle sport wagon' – where looks and image are more important than genuine practicality and load-carrying ability. The X-TYPE Sportwagon combines all these elements, emphasizing the difference between real life and lifestyle.

The X-TYPE Sportwagon's maximum volume with both rear seats folded forward is a cavernous 50 cubic feet. Even with the rear seats in use, the X-TYPE Sportwagon offers an impressive 15.7 cubic feet of luggage volume to the bottom of the window level, and 24.2 cubic feet to the roofline.

A host of intelligent interior features will give owners the flexibility to use their vehicle as best suits them. Split-folding rear seats allow one, two or all three rear seat spaces to be allocated to luggage-carrying, so it is still possible to carry either one or two rear-seat passengers even with the backseats partially folded. The seats are released by a simple latch in each backseat, and can be folded without removing the rear-seat headrests.

The tailgate itself offers maximum practicality and versatility with an independently opening rear window as well as a conventional wagon opening, either from a pre-programmed remote key fob or via an electrically operated lock controlled by a concealed button.

Designed for true ease of use, the tailgate opening and closing is assisted by a pair of gas-filled struts and opens to a wide 88-degree angle, and closes to an all-new low bumper top with very little intrusion from the rear lights.

The spacious load area is fully carpeted and trimmed, and to keep luggage securely in place and hidden from view, there is a retractable tonneau cover that rolls out over the load area. Luggage can be secured with a variety of systems including a standard cargo net, tie-down straps that hook onto the four, strong D-rings incorporated in the luggage area floor and hidden storage compartments of various sizes.

On the outside, fixed silver roof rails are fitted as standard and a range of additional carrying systems are available – from ski racks to luggage boxes – to meet individual needs.

DRIVING DYNAMICS – A SPORTWAGON WITH SEDAN HANDLING

A key part of the engineering brief for the X-TYPE Sportwagon was that, like the X-TYPE sedan, it should have a combination of great driving performance and excellent comfort – the solid foundation for Jaguar's renowned suspension dynamics. That meant its bodyshell had to retain the exceptional torsional stiffness of the sedan. (concept carz)

Consistent with the X-TYPE sedan, the X-TYPE Sportwagon is engineered to deliver a supple ride with maximum control and sporting dynamics, including exceptional steering feel.

Most aspects of the Sportwagon's suspension and electronic control systems have been tuned to its specific needs, but essentially the layout is unchanged from the sedan. (concept carz) The front suspension is a twin-tube MacPherson strut with a fabricated steel front cross-member and lower control arm. A unique double bearing top strut mount reduces friction around the damper rod, which enhances the smoothness of both suspension and steering.

The X-TYPE Sportwagon's multi-link rear suspension layout uses a torsion control link that allows each wheel to react independently, again improving handling and reducing harshness.

Like the front suspension, it is virtually identical to that of the X-TYPE sedan. (concept carz) Its very compact packaging makes almost no intrusion into the sides of the new load area and allows an impressively low trunk floor for easy loading and maximum luggage volume.

Steering is by a variable-ratio ZF power-assisted rack-and-pinion system, which provides high-speed stability even with full loads, as well as the same ride comfort and responsive handling that have made the X-TYPE sedan the segment benchmark for feel and precision.

POWERTRAIN – THE JAGÚAR AJ-V6

The X-TYPE Sportwagon offers the same powertrain as the X-TYPE sedan paired with the Traction-4™ all-wheel-drive system that helps make the car so rewarding to drive. Únder the hood, it features Jaguar's 3.0-liter 24-valve, four-cam AJ-V6 engine with a maximum output of 227bhp at 6,800rpm, and a very strong torque peak of 206 lb.-ft., again at a usefully low 3,000 rpm. And while its power is impressive, the efficiency is competitive in both fuel consumption and emissions.

The compact and durable, yet sophisticated all-wheel-drive system gives sure-footed handling at different speeds and in various weather conditions while retaining the positive feedback and precise steering feel that are fundamental to Jaguar driving dynamics.

The standard electronic five-speed automatic transmission, controlled by the latest version of Jaguar's unique J-gate gear selector, gives optimum fuel efficiency as well as quick acceleration and refined highway cruising.

SAFETY

Alongside all these comfort and convenience features, the X-TYPE Sportwagon has the high levels of both active and passive safety Jaguar buyers expect. Active safety begins with an extremely strong bodyshell, energy-absorbing impact zones and class-leading chassis dynamics, including Traction-4 TM all-wheel drive.

The X-TYPE also has a comprehensive passive safety package that includes an occupant-sensing restraint system, adaptive dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, knee bolster driver's airbag and side-impact head protection curtain airbags for both front and rear occupants.

Front safety belts have pre-tensioning and load-limiting functions, and the rear seats offer three three-point belts and adjustable head restraints for outboard passengers. Also for the X-TYPE Sportwagon, attention was paid to the strength of the rear seat mountings, release catch and vertical luggage net of the load cover system to help ensure luggage retention in case of an accident. As with the sedan, there are ‘door open' warnings for both elements of the tailgate.

THE X-TYPE SPORTWAGON MARKETPLACE

The premium compact sport wagon market is sophisticated, well-established and very competitive. Dominated by the German makes, the Jaguar designers' brief for the X-TYPE Sportwagon was not to be the same as its competitors, but to stand apart from them.

The core target customer is an extension of the X-TYPE core customer: someone that may use their car for business during the working week, then for active leisure-time pursuits on the weekends, such as skiing or mountain biking.

These customers see their car as an extension of themselves. They want the load space and carrying capacity of a wagon, but they do not want to compromise driving dynamics or quality and craftsmanship.

Styling is also a very important part of their purchase decision – there is strong evidence to suggest that far from choosing a wagon on the basis of practicality, many people buy them because they prefer the styling to that of a sedan. (concept carz)

Source - Jaguar