JAGUAR

JAGUAR X-TYPE

JAGUAR’S X-FACTOR
Jaguar’s evergreen X-TYPE is now better equipped to compete against newer compact executive rivals. Jonathan Crouch reports

Jaguar has properly refreshed the X-TYPE in its latest guise, refreshing the styling inside and out and bringing some of its equipment options up to date. Crucially, there’s now a six-speed automatic with a sequential shift function on the 2.2-litre diesel model which should transform its sales prospects.

X-TYPE sales certainly need fresh emphasis. Tough competition from newer German rivals has made this car a rather forgotten alternative in a sector where most customers buy Audi A4s, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class models. It wasn’t always so. Back in 2001 when this car was first launched as the company’s first entry into the premium C/D segment, Jaguar had plans to out-sell its rivals. This all-wheel drive, V6 sports saloon aimed to bring XJ values to the mainstream buyer. It didn’t happen, despite attempts to broaden the range, first with a 2.0-litre front-driven diesel, then with an estate bodystyle and finally with the 2.2-litre diesel that’s received the bulk of the attention within the latest changes. These improvements are almost certainly too little, too late to make the X-TYPE the strong seller that the Coventry company’s management always wanted but they should be enough to sustain the car in its twilight years while Jaguar figures out exactly what to do next in this sector. Let’s get this into perspective. No, the X-TYPE may not be the newest thing on the block but if you want V6 power and four-wheel drive from Audi or BMW, you’ll pay between £3,000-£5,000 more for it and have to stump up more to match the Jaguar’s equipment levels. Still inclined to write the X-TYPE off? The engine line-up offers petrol buyers a 231bhp 3.0-litre V6 with all-wheel drive. Go for one of the diesels, however, (a 128bhp 2.0-litre or a 152bhp 2.2) and you’ll have to accept front wheel drive. Handling is assured, the four-wheel drive system where fitted allowing great traction out of corners and giving beautifully neutral cornering at high speeds. In the wet, little can touch a well-driven X-TYPE, although keen drivers will prefer the manual gearbox to the sybaritic automatic. Even the front wheel drive car rarely betrays its underpinnings, such is the excellence of the chassis and suspension setups.

"If you thought of this car as out-dated in the face of newer rivals, then it might be time to give the Jaguar another look…"

The big news with this refreshed X-TYPE is the introduction of a new six-speed automatic gearbox, which has the added attraction of 'one-touch control' Jaguar Sequential Shift for manual gearchanges. The six gear ratios are chosen to deliver refined cruising while maintaining sporty performance. Where the 2.2 litre diesel with manual transmission can achieve maximum torque from second gear, the combination with the auto ‘box can achieve maximum torque in all six gears, utilising optimum gear change points to ensure best use of the available torque. When this car was first launched, its interior set new standards of quality and, indeed, modernity for Jaguar. What’s particularly impressive is the way that Jaguar have managed to blend traditional touches like wood veneers and chrome cappings with modern must-haves such as multi-function LCD screens, airbags and multi-speaker audio systems. That’s a tall order, and the X-TYPE manages it better than most. The cabin certainly feels more special than many of its rivals, and has premium product design cues all over it. Owners familiar with earlier X-TYPEs will notice revised frontal styling that includes a redesigned ‘3D’ bright mesh grille, complete with Jaguar ‘growler’ emblem. There are restyled front bumper covers, a bright ‘splitter’ in the lower air intakes and a neat roof-mounted Antenna Pod to replace the previous aerial. What Jaguar hopes is a ‘lower, sportier profile’ is also underlined by cleaner, more modern side mouldings. There are revised door mirrors too, which now incorporate the indicators (probably making them fearsomely expensive to replace). Revised alloy wheels and a wider range of colour options complete the improvements. Do buyers in this sector go for high technology or tight pricing and high equipment levels? If the latter, the X-TYPE should be well placed. Prices continue to start at around the £21,500 mark and there’s the choice of S, SE, Sport Premium or Sovereign trim levels if you want something plusher. Basically, you can expect a saving of between £1,500 and £4,000 over comparable rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, depending on the model you’re looking at. More if you cost in equipment differences. Estate variants are offered across the line-up at a price premium of around £1,400, model for model. Here, the split fold rear seats allow for one, two or all three rear passengers to be accommodated comfortably and when folded flat, there’s a whopping 1,415 litres of cubic capacity to clog with lifestyle accoutrements. Talking of seats, there are four styles from which to choose, each with its own matching door trim. The premium feel of this latest X-TYPE is enhanced by neat detailing. There’s a Tungsten metallic finish here: chrome edging there. The instrument cluster has a sportier look these days too - similar to that of the new XF - with smart silver metallic overlays, plus a combination of green dial illumination and white pointer illumination, just as in the XK. Though Jaguar can’t offer the wide range of diesels available from its rivals (there are no V6s for example), the two it has are at least pretty frugal. The 2.0-litre manages 48.5mpg on the Combined cycle, while the 2.2 is only just behind on 45.6mpg. The story’s not quite so rosy with the petrol units of course, the 3.0-litre range-topper struggling to record more than 25mpg. Insurance groupings sit in the expected 14-16 bracket. You wouldn’t expect X-Type residuals to be in the same bracket as those of newer rivals. Nevertheless, they’re not as far off as you might think. Factor in the lower purchase price and the higher discounts that Jaguar dealers are likely to offer and you could find that this Jag is a more cost-efficient option than its German equivalent. It all remains a strong package – rakish good looks, an impressive level of fit and finish, powerful engines and that Jaguar badge on the bonnet. The detail improvements are effective in masking the age of this design, lending it a clubby, welcoming feel. And technically? It seems astonishing that Jaguar didn’t offer a modern six-speed automatic on the 2.2-litre diesel in the past but now that they’ve belatedly got round to it, sales of this variant should pick up. If you thought of this car as out-dated in the face of newer rivals like Audi’s latest A4 or Mercedes third generation C-Class, then it might be time to give the Jaguar another look. It may be Ford Mondeo-based, but that still means it handles with aplomb. Moreover, the X-TYPE’s value proposition is good enough to make German rivals look expensive.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Jaguar X-TYPE range PRICES: £21,500-£30,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 14-16 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 149-244g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.5] 0-60mph 7.9s / Max Speed 140mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.5] (urban) 20.7mpg / (extra urban) 39.0mpg / (combined) 29.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags, side curtain airbags (front/rear), ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 4670/1790/1390mm