Jaguar X-Type Explained

Jaguar X-Type should not be confused with Jaguar Mark X.

Jaguar X-Type
Manufacturer:Jaguar Cars
Production:2001–2009 (355,227 Produced)
Assembly:United Kingdom: Halewood, England (Halewood Body & Assembly)
Class:Compact executive car (D)
Layout:
Platform:Ford CD132 platform
Designer:
Related:Ford Mondeo (second generation)
Engine:
  • 2.1 L AJ20 V6 (petrol)
  • 2.5 L AJ25 V6 (petrol)
  • 3.0 L AJ30 V6 (petrol)
  • 2.0 L ZSD-420 I4 (turbocharged diesel)
  • 2.2 L ZSD-422 I4 (turbocharged diesel)
Transmission:
Wheelbase:106.7inches
Length:Saloon ('01-'08): 46721NaN1
Saloon ('08-'09): 47161NaN1
Estate ('04-'09): 185.5inches
Width:Body ('01-'09) 70.4inches
Overall ('01-'08) 78.8inches
Overall ('08-'09) 20001NaN1
Height:Saloon ('01-'08) 54.8inches
Saloon ('08-'09) 14301NaN1
Estate ('04-'09) 58.4inches
Successor:Jaguar XE
Model Years:2002–2009

The Jaguar X-Type is a car built by British marque Jaguar from 2001 to 2009. Considered a large family car in Europe and a compact car in the US,[1] [2] the X-Type has either a four-door saloon or a five-door estate body style and was sold in the compact-executive market segment.[3] [4] Given the internal designation X400, its engine is in the front and there are front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants. In addition to offering Jaguar's first estate car in series production, the X-Type would ultimately introduce its first diesel engine, four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive configuration.

The X-Type was developed during the period when Jaguar was owned by Ford as a division of its Premier Automotive Group (PAG) (1999-2009) — and marked Jaguar's entry into the critical compact executive segment. The programme 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 100,000 sales, the X-Type recorded a production of 350,000 over its eight-year manufacturing run.

Overview

The X-Type, codenamed X400,[5] launched in 2001 to compete in the compact executive class dominated by the rear-wheel drive BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 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 minimise front-wheel drive torque-steer.

Initially, the X-Type was available only with all wheel drive, using a centre differential and a compact, maintenance-free viscous coupling with a default split of 60 per cent torque to the rear wheels, 40 per cent to the front wheels. Under loss of traction front or rear, the coupling could vary the front/rear torque split and could fully transfer torque to either front or rear wheels to ensure grip.[6] For model year 2004 the viscous coupling was permanently deleted, removing this mechanical limited-slip function. If equipped, the electronic Dynamic Stability Control System could still reduce individual wheel spin via braking and/or decreasing engine torque. Despite the X-Type's importance to Jaguar and Ford's Premier Automotive Group, extensive engineering development, a different wheelbase and track, body styling and significant testing the X-Type was often described as just a "reshelled Ford Mondeo".

Although in the end just 19% of the cars origins were shared, much of which were perfectly suited components such as HVAC units hidden from view and which in no way detracted from the X400's Jaguar heritage. 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.[7] The four door saloon launched in 2001, and the five door estate followed in January 2004, with production of both ending in July 2009.[8] The estate offered a Cd of 0.32 in standard form and 0.33 in Sport trim.[9]

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 gearboxes. The X-Type grille was slightly modified for both the 2004 and 2006 model years. The base petrol engine was a Jaguar tweaked (Ford Duratec V6) derived from the 2.5-litre that served in the Ford Mondeo, and the 3.0-litre V6 is essentially an adaptation of the engine from the Jaguar S-Type and Lincoln LS.[9]

Eventually, the X-Type would become available with front-wheel drive and a 2.1-litre petrol or 2.0 Turbo diesel engine. In July 2009, Jaguar Land Rover announced the end of X-Type production by the end of 2009.[10] [11] Both saloon and estate configurations were manufactured at the Halewood Assembly Facility near Liverpool,[12] renovated at a cost of $450 million.

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.[13] Later trim configurations would introduce carbon fibre 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 estate 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 centre and trip computer, Reverse Park Control, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Estate

Introduced in 2004, the X-Type estate was the first Jaguar model designed by Ian Callum. From its saloon counterpart, the design revised 420 tooled parts and 58 stampings for all components rearward of the windscreen, adding 150-pounds.[14]

The design used a tailgate with independently-opening, strut-supported rear window,[14] 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 tyre.[14] 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.[14]

The estate was marketed as the Sportwagon in the United States.

Facelift

The X-Type facelift debuted at the 2007 Canary Wharf Motorexpo,[15] and went on sale internationally during 2008, with United Kingdom sales from March.[16]

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 and in the UK the petrol range was gradually trimmed until only a single petrol model remained available for the final model year.[17]

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.[18] It was followed in 2005 by the XS limited edition, which continued the sports theme, but available with a wider range of engines.[19]

Engines

ModelYearsDisplacement Bore x Stroke Power at rpmTorque at rpmTransmission
2.1-litre V6 petrol2001–20072099cc V681.65x 1570NaN0201Nm5-speed manual
2.1-litre V6 petrol2007–20082099cc V681.65x1560NaN0 at 6,800196Nm at 4,1005-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
2.5-litre V6 petrol2001–20092495cc V681.6mm79.5mm 1960NaN0 at 6,800244Nm at 3,0005-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
3.0-litre V6 petrol2001–20092967cc V6 89mm79.5mm2310NaN0 at 6,800 279.3Nm at 3,0005-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
2.0-litre diesel2003–20071998cc I486mm86mm1280NaN0 at 3,800331Nm at 1,8005-speed manual
2.0-litre diesel 2007–20091998cc I486mm86mm1300NaN0 at 3,8003300NaN0 at 1,8005-speed manual
2.2-litre diesel[20] 2003–20072198cc I486mm94.6mm1520NaN0 at 3,5003660NaN0 at 1,8006-speed manual
2.2-litre diesel2007–20092198cc I486mm94.6mm1550NaN0 at 3,5003600NaN0 at 1,8006-speed manual
2.2-litre diesel DPF2007–20092198cc I486mm94.6mm1450NaN0 at 3,5003600NaN0 at 1,8006-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Safety and security

Euro NCAP's crash test found that the doors could still be opened after a frontal impact and that the car offered good protection for children sat in the back during crashes, however they also found that the airbag failed to prevent the driver's head from hitting the steering wheel and described its pedestrian impact performance as "dire", noting that seventeen of the eighteen impact locations they tested on the car offered no protection for a pedestrian from injury.[21]

Euro NCAP 2002 X-Type[22] PointsRating
Adult Occupant:26 out of 36
Pedestrian Impact:2 out of 36
ANCAP 2010 X-Type[23] PointsRating
Overall Score:26.40 out of 37
Offset Impact:10.40 out of 16
Side Impact:14.10 out of 16
Pole Impact:2 out of 2
Bonus Points:0 out of 3
NHTSA 2004 X-Type[24] Rating
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Rollover 4WD: (10.5%)

The X-Type was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation.

X-Type Rating
Theft of car:
Theft from car:

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.[25] The X-Type was Jaguar's best selling model during almost all its production run,[26] 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, which was shared with the Land Rover Freelander, a small offroader that was also produced at Halewood,[27] was not well received by Jaguar purists.[28] Notably, the Volkswagen Passat shared its platform with its compact executive class rival, the B5 Audi A4.[29] The X-Type's limited powertrain choices affected its initial press reception. Initially, the X-Type was only available with six cylinder petrol engines, coupled to an all-wheel drive system,[30] resulting in poor fuel economy, while 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 (only available with front wheel drive) was not offered in the X-Type until two years after its launch.

Jeremy Clarkson, then of BBC's Top Gear, lauded the X-Type, especially the 4x4 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". With regards to the sharing of the Ford Mondeo platform, Clarkson states 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".[31]

Other car magazine and website reviews were largely positive for the X-Type, especially during its introduction.[32] [33] The X-Type used only 19% of Ford Mondeo's components,[34] 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."[35]

Noted automotive designer Robert Cumberford called the X-Type's styling "an unimaginable pastiche of many past Jaguars" in the June 2001 issue of Car and Driver magazine. Overall, due to poor sales, Jaguar lost €4,690 per vehicle produced.[36]

Reviews

Awards

The Jaguar X-Type won AutoWeeks Editors Choice Award as the Most Significant Car at the Geneva Motor Show of 2001.[52] [53]

Replacement

See main article: Jaguar XE. 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.[54] [55]

The project, codenamed X760, was set to be launched in 2015.[56] In March 2014, Jaguar confirmed that the X-Type's replacement would be named the Jaguar XE.[57]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Official Jaguar X-Type 2002 safety rating . 2002 . 25 March 2023 . euroncap.com.
  2. Web site: 2006 Jaguar X-Type Specs . fueleconomy.gov . . 25 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Jaguar X-Type (2001 - 2010) used car review . rac.co.uk . . 12 July 2002 . 25 March 2023 . Enright . Andy.
  4. News: Used Jaguar X-type Estate 2001 - 2009 review . . 1 January 2006 . 25 March 2023 . Huntingford . Steve.
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/44710.stm BBC News 6 January 1998
  6. Web site: The cars : Jaguar X-Type development story . ARonline . Keith Adams . 27 November 2011.
  7. Jaguar Expands the 2005 X-Type Range with three new models, MediaFord.com, 1 August 2004, Web site: Archived copy . 3 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051105233733/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18873 . 5 November 2005 . . Retrieved 3 August 2008
  8. News: Ruddick. Graham. Jaguar cuts 300 jobs as it stops X-Type production at Halewood. The Daily Telegraph. 21 August 2012. 15 July 2009.
  9. Web site: Jaguar X-Type: We drive the X-Type along the River Wye and do the math . Autoweek . 6 May 2001.
  10. News: Jaguar cuts 300 jobs as it stops X-Type production at Halewood . 15 July 2009 . The Daily Telegraph . 15 July 2009 . London . Graham . Ruddick.
  11. News: Jaguar announces 300 job losses/End of X-Type. BBC News. 15 July 2009. 15 July 2009.
  12. News: Jaguar to end X-Type production and axe jobs. The Times . London . Peter . Stiff . 15 July 2009 . 8 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20110611223314/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article6714420.ece. 11 June 2011 . dead.
  13. Web site: 2007 Jaguar X-Type . New Car Test Drive . 8 August 2007.
  14. Web site: Riding High: Auto Makers Jack Up the Car Seat; Finding Your Ideal 'H-Point' . The Wall Street Journal . Michelle Higgins . 2 December 2004.
  15. Web site: JAGUAR REVEALS ENHANCED XK AND X-TYPE MODEL RANGES AT MOTOREXPO, CANARY WHARF 2007 . Mediajaguar.com . 11 June 2007 . 30 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101126194815/http://mediajaguar.com/php/pressReleases.php?id=10 . 26 November 2010 .
  16. Web site: Jaguar Reveals The New Generation X-Type . Mediajaguar.com . 12 October 2007 . 30 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101126194322/http://mediajaguar.com/php/pressReleases.php?id=171 . 26 November 2010 .
  17. Web site: X-Type Model Year 2009 Specifications . Jaguar. https://web.archive.org/web/20111223000056/https://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/owner_support/Prior_models/prior_specs/xtype_specifications/xtype_MY09specifications . 23 December 2011.
  18. Web site: 4 October 2004 . Carpages.co.uk . 20 February 2011.
  19. Web site: 5 February 2005 . Carpages.co.uk . 20 February 2011.
  20. Web site: X-Type Model Year 2008 Specifications . Jaguar. https://web.archive.org/web/20120204202337/https://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/owner_support/Prior_models/prior_specs/xtype_specifications/x-type_08_specifications . 4 February 2012.
  21. Web site: Jaguar X-Type . euroncap.com . . 2002 . 31 March 2023.
  22. Web site: Jaguar X-Type; Euro NCAP – For safer cars crash test safety rating . Euro NCAP . 30 November 2013.
  23. Web site: JAGUAR X-Type 2010 - 2.1 LE X400 4D Sedan 5sp auto 2.1L V6 Petrol | How Safe is Your Car . 30 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002440/http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/2010/Jaguar/X-Type/2_1-LE-X400-4D-Sedan-5sp-auto-2_1L-V6-Petrol/ . 3 December 2013 .
  24. Web site: 2004 Jaguar X-Type 4-DR. W/SAB | Safercar -- NHTSA.
  25. Mehr Funktionalitaet, ohne dass die Emotionen zu kurz kommen. Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft 23 2000. Seite 24 . November 2000.
  26. Web site: Automotive Traveller: The Jaguar S-Type and the Jaguar X-Type . Automotivetraveler.com . 30 September 2010.
  27. Web site: evo Car Reviews: Land Rover Freelander . Evo.co.uk . 8 December 2006 . 30 September 2010.
  28. Web site: 2003 Jaguar X-TYPE . Autoblog.com.
  29. Web site: The X-Type Development Story . 18 July 2011 . AROnline.
  30. Web site: Aucock. Richard. 7 lessons Jaguar should learn from the X-Type. Richard Aucock - Motoring journalist on cars, motorsport… and motoring journalism. 16 September 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004210330/http://www.richardaucock.com/7-lessons-jaguar-should-learn-from-the-x-type/. 4 October 2013.
  31. X Type Jaguar in the snow - Top Gear - Series 4 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Qrz5ZFwuh28. 2021-12-12 . live. BBC . 9 February 2007 . 20 December 2013.
  32. Web site: 2003 Jaguar X-TYPE . Autoblog.com.
  33. Web site: 2003 Jaguar X-Type Review . Road and Travel . 30 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110525090429/http://www.roadandtravel.com/roadtests/buyersguides/2003buyersguide/entrylevelluxury/2003jaguarxtype.htm . 25 May 2011 .
  34. Web site: Test Drive: 2002 Jaguar X-Type 2.5 . CanadianDriver . 10 January 2002 . 30 September 2010.
  35. Web site: Jaguar 'entirely relaxed' about Tata takeover . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4b662140-cd41-11dc-9b2b-000077b07658.html . 10 December 2022 . subscription . live . Financial Times . 28 January 2008 . 30 September 2010.
  36. News: 2013-09-25. Zoom, sputter, aagghhh!!. The Economist. 2021-11-29. 0013-0613.
  37. Web site: Car Reviews: Jaguar X-Type Estate 3.0 V6 SE - the AA.
  38. Web site: Jaguar X-Type.
  39. Web site: Jaguar X-Type - 10 Point Test . Auto Trader . 21 June 2014.
  40. Web site: Jaguar X-type 2.2D (2008) review.
  41. Web site: Jaguar X-type review (2001-2010). 20 April 2014.
  42. Web site: Jaguar X-Type (2001 – 2009).
  43. Web site: Car-By-Car Reviews - Jaguar X-Type . Honest John . 21 June 2014.
  44. Web site: Reviews - Jaguar X-Type . Parker's Car Guides . 21 June 2014.
  45. Web site: Used Jaguar X-Type Estate (2004 - 2010) Review | Parkers.
  46. Web site: Jaguar X-Type (2001-2010) - Car Reviews . RAC . 21 June 2014.
  47. Web site: Jaguar X-Type. https://web.archive.org/web/20060316101843/http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp?lnk=201&model=820&description=Jaguar%20X-Type. dead. 16 March 2006. Verdict On Cars. 21 June 2014.
  48. Web site: Jaguar X-Type Saloon - New Car Review - What Car? . Whatcar.com . 21 June 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140805162103/http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/jaguar/x-type-saloon/summary/23610-2 . 5 August 2014 .
  49. Web site: Used Jaguar X type Estate Review Summary What Car? . 21 June 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140805172057/http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/jaguar/x-type-estate/summary/23610-6 . 5 August 2014 .
  50. Web site: Jaguar X-Type Review . Wise Buyer's Guides . 21 June 2014.
  51. Neil . Dan . The 50 Worst Cars of All Time . Time . 25 April 2017 . Time USA . 8 April 2023.
  52. Web site: Jaguar X-Type Wins AutoWeek's Editors Choice Award as Most Significant Car at the Geneva Auto Show. – PR Newswire . Encyclopedia.com . 28 February 2001 . 6 December 2009.
  53. Web site: Press Release: Jaguar X-Type Wins AutoWeek's Editors Choice Award as Most Significant Car at the Geneva Auto Show. – PR Newswire | HighBeam Research: Online Press Releases . Highbeam . 28 February 2001 . 6 December 2009.
  54. Web site: Deja vu? Jaguar considers a sedan to rival 3 series . autonews.com . 31 January 2011 . 6 February 2011.
  55. Web site: Jaguar's future models revealed . 18 February 2011 . 16 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110222143443/http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jaguar-s-future-models-revealed/255522 . 22 February 2011 .
  56. http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jaguar-plans-four-new-models-2018 Jaguar plans four new models by 2018
  57. Web site: Holloway. Hilton. Jaguar XE 3-series rival - first picture. Autocar. 5 March 2014.