Background: The X-TYPE sedan is to Jaguar what Corn Flakes breakfast cereal is to the folks at Kelloggs; both are low cost, volume leaders for their respective firms. British automaker Jaguar unveiled its all-new X-TYPE as a 2002 edition at Chicagoland dealers this past August. Although it’s the newest vehicle in the lineup, X-TYPE already is pegged as the volume leader. Approximately 100,000 copies will be built for worldwide distribution with approximately 30,000 earmarked for the United States during its first full production year next year. In the 2001 calendar year, about 15,000 units will be delivered here. The United States is now Jaguar’s largest export market.
The British company, which began assembling cars in 1935, sold only 18,000 vehicles in the United States back in 1984. That number jumped to 43,728 units by 2000 and now with X-TYPE on board, that number could double in a few years. The all-wheel drive X-TYPE sedan also carries more influence from Jaguar’s parent organization, Ford Motor Company. Ford purchased a controlling interest in Jaguar back in 1989, before the start of automotive mega mergers popular during the mid-to-late 1990s. Some purists argue the British automaker has lost some of its cache and mystique since being absorbed by the world’s second largest automaker, and they’re probably right. But Ford injected more monetary and marketing muscle into the niche automaker transforming the once low-volume company into a worldwide player with much improved quality and reliability. About 20 percent of component parts are shared with the Ford Mondeo, a mid-size car sold in Europe.
The Mondeo was sold in the United States under the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique nameplates from 1995 until 2000. Component and platform sharing is a necessary evil in today’s global economy to keep parts volume up and prices in line through several model lines. In 1998, Jaguar launched the S-TYPE, a larger, rear-wheel-drive mid-luxury sedan, priced around $43,000 joining two already established offerings, the XK Series (starting at $74,000) and XJ Series (a $57,000 entry price). The X-TYPE competes in the entry-luxury segment, one of the fastest growing branches of the luxury class. Competitors include the Audi A4, Lexus ES 300, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Acura TL and soon-to-arrive 2003 Cadillac CTS. Jaguar assembles the X-TYPE in Birmingham, England at a plant that for most of the 1990s had been assembling Ford Escorts.
Engine: The X-TYPE offers one basic trim level with two distinct, lightweight V-6 engine selections. A 2.5-liter, 24 valve cranks out 194 horsepower while the 3.0-liter, 24-valve counterparts delivers 231 horses. Both engines are built in Cleveland, Ohio. The 3.0-liter engine includes a five-speed electronic automatic transmission standard. A five-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option with the 3.0-liter engine.
The 2.5-liter engine includes the five-speed manual transmission standard, but the automatic transmission in the 2.5-liter will cost extra. Our test-drive version included the manual transmission which shifted smoothly utilizing rather short clutch throws from first to fifth gear. Jaguar expects only about 10 percent of sales to come from manual transmission versions. X-TYPE is the first all-wheel drive product ever offered by Jaguar.
Standard equipment: The X-TYPE includes as standard fare: cruise control, AM/FM/cassette tape player, power assist steering, automatic climate control with air conditioning, power windows, manually adjustable steering wheel, rear window defroster, front and rear fog lights, heated side-view power mirrors and power locks. Notable options include an in-dash navigation system, upgraded sound system with compact disc player, in-vehicle telephone, Xenon high-intensity headlights and power sunroof. Three option packages are available to mix and match options.
The Power convenience pack combines rain sensing wipers, sunroof, 70/30 split rear seats, 10-way power driver and passenger seats. The winter package combines heated front seats, headlight power wash and stability control. The sport package contains a trunk-mounted spoiler, larger wheels, sport-tuned suspension and stability control.
Price: Promotional advertisements in newspapers and television emphasize X-TYPE’s starting price, slipping in under $30,000 at $29,950. But don’t expect many $29,950 units on the dealer lot since that price represents a relatively toned down TYPE without the many perks Jaguar owners or wanna-be owners expect. Our test-drive version, with the larger 3.0-liter engine and manual transmission, checked in at $39,145. Other entry-luxury sedan competitors include the Lexus ES 300 with a starting price of $31,505, a six-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive Lincoln LS begins at $ 33,045, a front-wheel-drive Audi A4 with six-cylinder powertrain lists at $31,390 and Cadillac’s all-new 2003 CTS (replacement for the Catera and available in dealers next month) starts at $29,990.
Interior: Editions ordered with the optional in-dash Global Position Satellite navigation system incorporate a different center-dash design. The in-dash navigation’s seven-inch square combines many touch screen commands needed for the ventilation and stereo systems. These multi-media commands can take a little getting used to. For example, radio station preset designations are summoned by pushing screen icons. For convenience sake stations can also be changed via secondary buttons on the steering wheel.
The navigation system itself provides either two-dimensional or three-dimensional roadway graphics. Near the bottom on the central dashboard is a cassette player. Those wishing to hear a compact disc in versions with the navigation system must load them first into a trunk-mounted magazine. Air vents are found at each end of the dashboard and smack dab in the center with the red hazard light and heated front seat buttons. In models with the in-dash navigation system, the digital clock is hidden near the bottom of the screen. Maple-colored wood veneer adorns the center console. Cruise control commands are found on the steering wheel.
The instrument cluster utilizes four circular, analog dials; large speedometer and tachometer center gauges are flanked by a left-side temperature gauge and right side gas gauge. The speedometer circle also has a rectangular, digital message screen along the bottom with odometer information and visual commands scrolling along when the navigation system is activated. The latch unlocking the fuel tank door is on the floor left of the driver’s bucket seat. While headlights turn on and off via a left-side dashboard dial, the brights are activated from the turn signal stalk. The ignition cylinder is on the right side of the adjustable steering column as is a turn signal stalk. In between the front bucket seats are a bi-level storage bin/arm rest, hand-operated parking brake, single beverage holder and transmission shifter. Power switches monitoring all four windows along with outside mirror controls are found on the driver’s door. Four small chrome interior handles are near the very top of each door.
Seating comfort: All X-TYPES feature leather seating. Eight-way power adjustable driver’s seats are standard. Ceiling handles are found above all four doors. In back, three adult riders fit in relative comfort, but keep in mind the middle travelers must contend with a small floor hump running vertically down the center. An arm rest with dual beverage holders inside folds down. Seatbacks also fold down in a 70/30 split (in additions with the optional power convenience pack only) once knobs inside the trunk are pulled, unlocking seats. Headroom is plentiful in front and back.
Safety features: The X-TYPE gets high marks for a goodly number of passive and active safety features. The standard all-wheel drive helps keep the vehicle firmly on course during Chicagolands four seasons of inclement weather. Anti-lock brakes are also standard. As with all cars sold in America, dual front air bags come standard.
In addition, driver and front passenger side air bags are standard as are side curtain bags protecting the heads of front and side riding back seat travelers during impacts. Also standard are anti-burst door latches. In the event of an impact, these help ensure doors remain closed, protecting the occupants. Keyless remote entry and an anti-theft system is also standard. All doors lock once the vehicle reaches speeds of five miles per hour.
Trunk: At 16.0 cubic feet, X-TYPE provides more cargo volume than most entry-luxury rivals. A full-size spare tire rests under the flat-floored trunk. Shock-absorber type hinges outside the holding area create a package-friendly area to move “stuff.” Too many competitors still opt for curved hinges that can scrunch larger items being transported in the trunk. As with all 2002 sedans, a glow-in-the-dark interior release handle is provided for individuals who may inadvertently get locked inside the trunk. No key is needed to open the trunk. Once the car is unlocked, a push of the circular Jaguar icon pops open the lid.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 106.7 inches
Overall length: 183.9 inches
Overall width: 70.4 inches
Overall height: 54.8 inches
Curb weight: 3,428 pounds
Exterior: The low-profile X-TYPE includes four small headlights up front flanking an oval grille with vertical black slats. Circular fog lights adorn the bottom of the front bumper. And what would a Jaguar be without a leaping cat hood ornament. Other circular Jaguar growling heads are found on the trunk lid, wheels and below the hood ornament. The thin, curved rear C pillar contributes to an aerodynamic look. Looking at the X-TYPE from the front or the rear, the vehicle looks like a Jaguar.
From the sides, however, a domestic Ford flavor comes through. Sideview mirrors and flush-mounted, oval door handles share the same color as the body. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels come standard. Editions with the 2.5-liter engine include a 10-spoke design while 3.0-liter models have five-spokes. When ordering the optional sport package, seventeen-inch wheels with twin five-spokes are included. The wheel clearance between the body and frame is minimal, contributing to the athletic look.
Fuel economy: Fuel data differs depending on the transmission and engine type selected. The smaller 2.5-liter V-6 with five-speed transmission is the fuel leader with 19 miles per gallon city and 28 m.p.g. highway. Our test-drive model with the 3.0-liter V-6 and automatic transmission garnered 18 m.p.g. city and 25 m.p.g. highway. The fuel tank holds 16 gallons of unleaded fuel.
All-wheel drive tends to reduce fuel economy readings, especially in sport utility vehicles. But X-TYPE’s all-wheel drive system does a decent job of delivering respectable figures. By comparison, the front-wheel-drive, six cylinder Lexus ES 300 offers 21 m.p.g. city, 29 m.p.g. highway. The Audi A4 with all-wheel-drive and six-cylinder engine delivers 17 m.p.g. city and 25 m.p.g. highway.
Final thoughts: While testing the merits of Jaguar’s newest sedan, very little wind noise was encountered while traveling 70 miles per hour on the highway. Steering was tight and precise. Around town, only one hand on the wheel is needed to make hard, quick turns (although for safety sake, keep both hands on the wheel.) The X-TYPE sends Jaguar directly into the mainstream. No longer is the leaping cat hood ornament sedan available only to the privileged few with bottomless bank accounts. This may upset those who have enjoyed the pleasure of tooling around in Jaguars from yesteryear, but pleases the accountants at Ford Motor Company. |