First look: X-Type gets a makeover
BY DAVID HASSALL | 16th Oct 2007
The new six-speed transmission – the first auto available for the diesel – comes as part of an overall facelift for the ageing Ford Mondeo-based compact sedan, which was launched in 2001 but has fallen well short of being a BMW 3 Series challenger.
To be launched in the UK next March and in Australia about a month later, the facelifted X-Type loses the current model’s XJ-style split grille in favour of a wide-mouth chrome mesh grille that is more in the style of the new XF.
It also includes the new “growler” emblem prominently located XF-style in the centre of the grille.
But the big news will be the addition of the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel now that Jaguar has finally added an auto – a six-speeder with normal and sport modes as well as manual sequential shifting.
Jaguar Australia marketing manager Tim Krieger told GoAuto that the company was definitely interested in getting into the growing premium diesel market in Australia.
“We’re not saying much about it at this stage, but we are looking at the diesel (X-Type) and there’s a good chance we’ll bring that car in,” said Mr Krieger.
But Jaguar head office in the UK went a step further, noting in a statement that the diesel “will make its debut in Australia” with the new auto when the revised range is launched next year.
The X-Type 2.2 diesel auto will accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 208km/h, while returning a combined fuel economy figure of 6.9 litres per 100km.
The four-cylinder diesel delivers 107kW of power at 3500rpm and 366Nm of torque at 1800rpm.
This compares with 172kW at 6800rpm and 284Nm at 3000 developed by the V6 petrol-engined X-Type, which has a five-speed auto and is considerably faster from 0-100km/h at just 7.5 seconds despite being 63kg heavier.
Prices announced for the UK are unchanged from the current model, which suggests that Australian pricing will still start at around $53,990 for the 2.1-litre V6 petrol model. With diesel 3 Series and Audi A4s starting at $57,000, expect the new diesel X-Type to be priced in the same vicinity.
“The combination of diesel power with automatic transmission and Jaguar Sequential Shift adds yet another dimension to the X-Type,” said chief engineer Kevin Stride. “Furthermore, all the actions we have implemented on the new car improve its refinement and drivability.”These actions include more sound insulation materials to make the car quieter and improved engine electronics to produce smoother downshifts.
Jaguar claims that the revised X-Type includes 500 new components and “a fresh new look that reflects Jaguar’s new design language”.
As well as the new grille treatment, which has a body-coloured outer surround rather than chrome, next year’s X-Type has a new front bumper featuring a more prominent lower air intake with a horizontal chrome strip.
The foglight housings are also bigger and the chrome corner strips that distinguish the current model have been removed.
At the rear, the corner strips have also been removed and there is now a horizontal chrome strip that runs between the tail-lights just above the number plate, giving the tail a less rounded look, while the aerial has been replaced by a BMW-style fin on the roof.
New door mirrors have integrated indicators and the option of memory and power foldback, while the side and sill mouldings are said to be revised.
Wheel choices include two new 17-inch and 18-inch five-spoke alloys.
X-Types fitted with parking assist get smaller sensors that are also more integrated and body-coloured.
Inside, the X-Type will introduce XF-style instruments, a number of new seat and trim styles, a new rosewood veneer option and various revised trim covering materials and finishes, including more chrome, and a new growler steering wheel badge.
Jaguar Australia launched the X-Type in September 2001 with four-wheel drive only and a front-drive variant was added only eight months later.
X-Type certainly added considerable volume for Jaguar worldwide, but sales have dropped away in recent years and this year alone have fallen 23.6 per cent in Australia, to about 41 units a month.
That is less than half the average of 85 X-Types sold per month in 2002, the model’s first full year on sale here.
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