The Jaguar X-Type is a front-engine, all-wheel drive entry-level luxury car manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars from 2001 to 2009 under the internal designation X400, for a single generation, in sedan and wagon body styles -- the latter as Jaguar's first in series production.
The X-Type was developed during the period when Jaguar was part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) (1999-2010) -- and marked Jaguar's entry into the critical compact luxury segment. The program aimed to double the marque's worldwide sales -- requiring expansion of engineering resources, factory capacity, marketing capability, sales support and service. At launch, Autocar called the X-Type "the most important Jaguar ever."
With annual projections of 200,000 sales, X-Type achieved a production of 350,000 over its eight year manufacturing run.
Video Jaguar X-Type
Overview
The Jaguar X-Type, codenamed X400, was launched in Summer 2001 to compete in the entry-level luxury class -- a segment dominated by the rear-wheel drive BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-class.
The program targeted a market segment dominated by rear-drive competitors despite Ford/Jaguar having no directly competitive platform. Instead, the X-type used a modified version of the front-drive Ford CD132 platform shared with the contemporary Ford Mondeo -- with the addition of all-wheel drive (marketed as Jaguar Traction or Jaguar Traction 4) and handling and steering engineered to minimize front-wheel drive torque-steer. Initially, the X-Type was available only with all wheel drive, using a center differential and a compact, maintenance-free viscous coupling to split 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, 40 percent to the front (until slippage) -- a benchmark for rear-drive feel in an awd system. The viscous coupling could fully transfer torque to either front or rear wheels to ensure grip. From 2005-on, X-Types used an electronically controlled transfer cases rather than the center viscous coupling.
As Jaguar's first compact executive car since the Jaguar Mark 2 of 1959, the X-Type was the last Jaguar styled under the supervision of Geoff Lawson, with Wayne Burgess and Simon Butterworth as principal designers.
The four door sedan launched in 2001, and the five door estate followed in January 2004, with production of both ending in July 2009. The sedan offered a Cd of 0.32 in standard form and 0.33 in Sport trim.
Engines included either of two V6 petrol engines: 2.5 litre or 3.0 litre. In 2002, an entry level 2.1 litre V6 front wheel drive model was added. All three engines were available with either five- speed automatic or five speed manual transmissions. The X-Type grille was slightly modified for both the 2004 and 2006 model years. The base petrol engine derived from the 2.5-liter that served in that Ford Contour, and the 3.0-liter V6 is essentially an adaptation of the base engine from the Jaguar S-Type and Lincoln LS.
Despite the X-Type's critical importance to Jaguar and Ford's Premier Automotive Group, and despite extensive engineering and testing, the X-Type was nonetheless sometimes "derided as little more than a reshelled Ford Mondeo."
Eventually, the X-Type would become available with front-wheel drive and sluggish 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. In July 2009, Jaguar Land Rover announced the end of X-Type production by the end of 2009.
Both sedan and wagon configurations were manufactured at the Halewood Assembly Facility near Liverpool, renovated at a cost of $450 million.
Maps Jaguar X-Type
Technical
The X-Type was based on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform shared with the Ford Mondeo. The X-Type was initially offered as all-wheel drive only and mated to a 2.5 litre and 3.0 litre AJ-V6 petrol engine.
One notable addition to AJ-V6 engine design is the use of variable valve timing. The X-Type's petrol engine is also set apart by the use of SFI fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and featured fracture split forged powder metal connecting rods, plus a one piece cast camshaft, and has direct acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets.
In 2003, the X-Type was also offered in front-wheel drive with the introduction of Jaguar's first four-cylinder diesel engines (based on the Ford Duratorq ZSD unit from the Mondeo and Transit), and with the smaller 2.1 litre petrol V6. The six speed automatic transmission supplied on the later 2.2 litre diesel models includes Jaguar Sequential Shift.
Equipment
At the X-Type's launch, standard equipment included automatic climate control; leather upholstery; eight-way power driver's seat; 70/30 split folding rear seats; Sapele wood interior trim; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; six-speaker, 120-watt AM/FM/CD stereo; power locks; one-touch power windows; a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof; automatic headlights; and 16-inch alloy wheels. Later trim configurations would introduce carbon fiber dash panels alcantara seat surfaces.
All interior wood was genuine, manufactured with veneers for the rest of the Jaguar line-up at Browns Lane's Veneer Manufacturing Centre, including the door trim pieces on higher models, increasing the development and production costs.
The wagon adds a 320-watt premium Alpine sound system, wood-and-leather steering wheel, 10-way power adjustable seats for driver and front-seat passenger, electrochromic mirrors inside and out, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a programmable garage-door opener, message center and trip computer, Reverse Park Control, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Wagon
The estate/wagon was the first Jaguar model designed by Ian Callum. From its sedan counterpart, the design revised 420 tooled parts and 58 stampings for all components rearward of the windshield, adding 150-pounds.
The design used a tailgate with independently-opening, strut-supported rear window, operable by key fob or dashboard located switch; roof-mounted luggage rails in chrome or black; interior luggage tie-downs; removable luggage cover; cargo net and a cargo compartment under the rear floor with a 12-volt power outlet and below that, storage for a full-size spare tire. The rear seats could be lowered without removing their headrests, and the cargo compartment offered 16 cubic feet up to the side windows or 24 cubic feet to the headliner, with the rear seats up -- or a total of 50 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The estate/wagon was marketed as the Sportwagon in the United States.
Facelift
The X-Type facelift debuted at the 2007 Canary Wharf Motorexpo and went on sale internationally during 2008, with United Kingdom sales from March.
The facelift featured revised front and rear fascias, new door mirrors with integrated turn indicator repeaters, the choice of a 2.2 litre diesel with particulate filter, and a new six speed automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift. The range continued to offer the 2.0 litre diesel, and two V6 petrol engines; 2.5 and 3.0 litre. In some European markets, the petrol engines were no longer marketed.
Special editions
In 2004, the Spirit limited model based on the 2.5 litre V6, featured the 'Sports Collection' pack with new spoilers and rear valance. It was followed in 2005 by the XS limited edition, which continued the sports theme, but available with a wider range of engines.
Engines
Technical
The X-Type was based on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform shared with the Ford Mondeo. The X-Type was initially offered as all-wheel drive only and mated to a 2.5 litre and 3.0 litre AJ-V6 petrol engine.
One notable addition to AJ-V6 engine design is the use of variable valve timing. The X-Type's petrol engine is also set apart by the use of SFI fuel injection, four valves per cylinder and featured fracture split forged powder metal connecting rods, plus a one piece cast camshaft, and has direct acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) tappets.
In 2003, the X-Type was also offered in front-wheel drive with the introduction of Jaguar's first four-cylinder diesel engines (based on the Ford Duratorq ZSD unit from the Mondeo and Transit), and with the smaller 2.1 litre petrol V6. The six speed automatic transmission supplied on the later 2.2 litre diesel models includes Jaguar Sequential Shift.
Equipment
At the X-Type's launch, standard equipment included automatic climate control; leather upholstery; eight-way power driver's seat; 70/30 split folding rear seats; Sapele wood interior trim; tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; six-speaker, 120-watt AM/FM/CD stereo; power locks; one-touch power windows; a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof; automatic headlights; and 16-inch alloy wheels. Later trim configurations would introduce carbon fiber dash panels alcantara seat surfaces.
All interior wood was genuine, manufactured with veneers for the rest of the Jaguar line-up at Browns Lane's Veneer Manufacturing Centre, including the door trim pieces on higher models, increasing the development and production costs.
The wagon adds a 320-watt premium Alpine sound system, wood-and-leather steering wheel, 10-way power adjustable seats for driver and front-seat passenger, electrochromic mirrors inside and out, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a programmable garage-door opener, message center and trip computer, Reverse Park Control, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Wagon
The estate/wagon was the first Jaguar model designed by Ian Callum. From its sedan counterpart, the design revised 420 tooled parts and 58 stampings for all components rearward of the windshield, adding 150-pounds.
The design used a tailgate with independently-opening, strut-supported rear window, operable by key fob or dashboard located switch; roof-mounted luggage rails in chrome or black; interior luggage tie-downs; removable luggage cover; cargo net and a cargo compartment under the rear floor with a 12-volt power outlet and below that, storage for a full-size spare tire. The rear seats could be lowered without removing their headrests, and the cargo compartment offered 16 cubic feet up to the side windows or 24 cubic feet to the headliner, with the rear seats up -- or a total of 50 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The estate/wagon was marketed as the Sportwagon in the United States.
Facelift
The X-Type facelift was unveiled at the 2007 Canary Wharf Motorexpo. The revised X-Type went on sale internationally during 2008, with United Kingdom sales from March.
The facelift featured revised front and rear fascias, new door mirrors with integrated turn indicator repeaters, the choice of a 2.2 litre diesel with particulate filter, and a new six speed automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift. The range continued to offer the 2.0 litre diesel, and two V6 petrol engines; 2.5 and 3.0 litre. In some European markets, the petrol engines were no longer marketed.
Special editions
In 2004, the Spirit limited model based on the 2.5 litre V6, featured the 'Sports Collection' pack with new spoilers and rear valance. It was followed in 2005 by the XS limited edition, which continued the sports theme, but available with a wider range of engines.
Engines
Safety and security
The X-Type was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:
Sales and reception
In November 2000, managing director Jonathan Browning said Jaguar's objective was to achieve annual sales of 100,000 with the car, partly by taking market share from established German rivals and partly by expanding the market segment in Jaguar's key markets.
The X-Type was Jaguar's best selling model during almost all its production run, but sales did not meet projections, peaking at 50,000 in 2003. In the United States, the car's primary market, sales dropped from 21,542 in 2004 to 10,941 in 2005. In the same year, Audi sold 48,922 A4s, BMW sold 106,950 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz sold 60,658 C-Class.
The X-Type's sharing of a modified Ford Mondeo platform (shared with the Land Rover Freelander Compact SUV which was also produced at Halewood) wasn't well received by Jaguar "purists." The X-Type's limited powertrain choices also affected its market reception.
Initially, the X-Type was only available with thirsty six cylinder petrol engines, coupled to an all-wheel drive system, whilst its key German rivals, the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class were sold predominantly in two wheel drive form, with four cylinder petrol or diesel engines, a critical offering in the economy conscious European market. A four cylinder diesel option (with two wheel drive) was not offered in the X-Type until several years after its release.
TIME magazine called the X-Type a "British Cadillac Cimarron" in its "50 Worst Cars of All Time" list, saying its platform sharing made it unpopular.
Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's Top Gear lauded the X-Type, especially the 4×4 and sport versions. In two episodes, he demonstrated its capabilities in the snow, declaring that it "laughs in the face of the weatherman, the police and the AA, with their advice to stay at home". Although he gives a different representation of the car being a Ford Mondeo underneath, affirming that this should not put you off, stating that "genetically you are 98% identical to a halibut, but it's the 2% that makes the difference".
Other car magazine and website reviews were largely positive for the X-Type, especially during its introduction. The X-Type used only 20% of Ford Mondeo's components, while a variety of Ford platforms, engines and components were being used by all models of the Ford Motor Company's luxury brands in that period, namely Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln. In January 2008, Jaguar director of design Ian Callum said that the X-Type "was essentially designed in Detroit and presented as close as a fait accompli to reluctant designers and engineers at Jaguar's Whitley design centre."
Media appearances
Black Jaguar X-Types were a regular occurrence in series nine and ten of Midsomer Murders.
In Brazil's Tempos Modernos Telenovela, a Jaguar X-Type was used extensively as a main character's vehicle.
My Lucky Star, known in Taiwan as Fang Yang De Xing Xing, featured a silver blue X-Type in 2007.
A black X-Type was heavily used in series one, episode one of the Canadian television series Orphan Black.
Reviews
- The AA
Likes: Elegant yet contemporary looks, silky smooth driving experience, petrol engines provide suitable soundtrack, high specification level as standard.
Gripes: Non AWD models less fun to drive, smallish load area with all seats in place, rear seats do not fold completely flat, body-coloured grilles of Sport models spoil looks. - Auto Express
'Ride, handling and grip are good, finding a fine balance between comfort and sporting ability, cabin is unmistakably Jaguar.'
'Traditional look and feel ... it's not the most spacious car in its class.' - Auto Trader
'The Jaguar X-Type is the only luxury saloon in its class, according to its makers. And while owners of bona fide luxury cars may scoff, the X-Type has all the right ingredients: heritage, comfort and sartorial elegance.' - CAR
'A bit of traditional Jag dynamic sensations and half-decent value will tempt some, but no amount of exterior tweaking can hide why the X-type missed its target.' - Driving
Good - Tempting prices, comfort & kit levels, dynamics.
Not So Good - High running costs of petrol models, patchy reliability, old-fashioned styling. - Honest John
Positives: Compact Jaguar, smart looks and roomy load bay, V6s are four-wheel drive, diesels are quite frugal.
Negatives: Not recommended for towing, uneven tyre wear on AWD V6 cars. - Parker's
Pros: Very comfortable and refined, sophisticated image, decent handling, decent boot space, good long distance cruiser.
Cons: Traditional styling, cramped rear space, limited engine range, some cheap interior trim. - RAC
'This is a car that has layers, textures and subtleties to its talents, a Jaguar that needs no preamble. It's up there with the best in the class. Just don't expect a bargain.' - Verdict On Cars
'Average. Jag's supposed rival to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class is fading fast. It's still a good car, but doubts as to whether it deserves the badge are growing.' - What Car?
'Low prices and a good drive make it a real alternative to a BMW 3-Series. [The Estate] drives just as well as the saloon version, but gives more practicality.' - Wise Buyer's
'X-Type is sporty to drive and very comfortable, plus it has that charismatic Jaguar badge. But it's up against some fine executive cars. It majors on value for money and performance.'
- Time magazine The 50 Worst Cars of All Time
Awards
The Jaguar X-Type won AutoWeek's Editors Choice Award as the Most Significant Car at the Geneva Motor Show of 2001.
Replacement
In January 2011, Jaguar said plans for successor for the X-Type were under consideration, to compete with models such as the BMW 3 Series, and to be positioned below the current XF.
The project, codenamed X760, was set to be launched in 2015. In March 2014, Jaguar confirmed that the X-Type's replacement would be named the Jaguar XE.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of article : Wikipedia
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