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Jaguar X-Type
2594 messages, Last post on May 04, 2013 at 1:02 PM
You are in the Jaguar X-Type Forum.What is this discussion about? Jaguar X-Type, Sedan
#1605 of 2594 X-type R and luxury items by jagboyxtype
Jun 29, 2003 (9:53 am)
If it is to be released, it would be some time during 2004 or early in 2005. Jaguar's being very secretive about all of its various changes._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I don't think the first X-types had any luxury shortcomings compared to the competition - it didn't have the memory seat option that the new upgraded one will have, but at the time, the 3-Series didn't even come with power seats or cruise control; the X-type always had a power driver's seat at least, and anyone with any options on the car got the power upgrades to all seats (since they had to have the X1 package at the time). The A4 still comes with manually adjusting seats, and while they did a nice job designing all of the levers you have to pump and dials to turn to get the seat in a comfortable position, it is still manual seats in a $30,000 Audi (I know you can upgrade to power seats, but you also have to get the larger engine to do so - again, no matter what X-type you have, it always had a power seat for the driver, standard, at least). The 5-Series doesn't even have an automatic climate control system as advanced as the one in the X-type (and it has less interior space than the X-type); where the ones in BMW's are partially automatic and lacking environment sensors, the X-type's is fully automatic with solar sensors (the bluish, opaque, coin-sized circle located next to the driver's A-pillar), pollen sensors and filters, odor purifiers, etc. X-type can be had with automatic windshield wipers, automatic headlamps, voice controls, the largest navigation screen available in the industry today, ultrasonic reverse sensors, one-touch power everything (S-type, XJ, and XK didn't even have that when the X-type was released), and a whole host of other gadgetry. Not to mention the usual refinements - folding rear seats, heated seats, computer message center, internal and external safety system sensors (part of ARTS), aluminum alloy wheels with a full spare (the newest C-Class is available with plastic hubcaps - in a $30,000 car!), self-adjusting handbrake, lighting for all controls and special abiance lighting (see the little orange light near the standard garage door opener buttons? Ever notice how it shines down on your hand and the controls at night? The magazine guys mentioned the one in the A6, but forgot to mention that the X-type has the same thing.) It has heated washer jets, heated headlamps (I don't know why, but this is luxury - excess is allowed), a fully fiber optic electrical system that works at the speed of light, and the largest trunk in its class - 16 cubic feet (the new huge XJ has 16.2 cubic feet, as does the new Rolls Royce Phantom) - more than anything else competing. Then there is the available Alpine sound system that was voted the best car sound system availabe (yes, even over the Lexus ML system) in an independent test; it features double sub wuffers and 10 - 12 surroundsound speakers. The list goes on and on, and I still haven't even mentioned that the X-type comes standard with a forest of hand-finished wood and hand-cut and stitched leather, - the same leather to be found in Bentleys and Rolls Royces and Ferraris - and did I mention that those tengible icons of luxury were standard (yes, I repeated the word for emphasis) along with a full-time AWD system with a unique RWD bias, all at the price points where competitors give plastic-vinyl, cloth, and fake aluminum wannabe trim? Then there is the luxury of engines that are more powerful compared to the competing European engines - 231 hp X-type 3.0 v. 225 hp BMW 330i; the rest all go down from there... I won't even mention how the X-type also has the most rigid structure in its class, or a completely sealed transmission, or any other design parts that are superior to the rest of the pack.
Despite my enthusiasm for the car, I do understand that it is not a perfect car - no car is. But the amount of joy the car brings me when I drive it, and truly the amount of features it has or can be had with, as well as its soft-luxury and hardcore performance balance really create quite a package. When it comes to features that are lacking compared to competing cars, all I can think of are the memory seats (which the new one will have, along with plenty more "excess"), so to say that the current car was lacking a bit in its luxury equipment compared to competing cars, seems to almost be putting down all the trouble the design guys went through to offer things like voice controls or more sensors than NASA uses, or the iconic leather, wood, lambs wool rugs and full carpeting (the Aston Martin DB7 has metal under the rugs - gasp!) that IMO say luxury a lot more than a thin sliver of aluminum pasted between the molding cracks on the dash of some competing car with cloth or vinyl seats that you have to upgrade from by pumping more money into the car just to get above Chevy Cavalier or Ford Focus levels of luxury. My grandmother's Buick came with leather, power everything (and and a bigger engine) and cost a fraction of what I would have paid for a vinyl-seated, plastic aluminum trimmed, 4-banger A4. But the X-type has real luxury that you can see from the start (wood, leather, lambs wool rugs, standard AWD) - no matter what engine size you choose, and the same refinement of the A4 that the Buick lacks (and it has a more powerful engine than both cars). I don't know, it just seems to me that the Jag has more features and luxury touches...
BTW - when you said "new E type", did you mean the E-Class Mercedes Benz or were you refering to a body type like the old E-type in reference to the new XK8? In either case, if a $60,000 luxury sedan and a $70,000 GT both "can compare" to the $30,000 X-type "entry level" offering from Jaguar, I'd say it's one heck of a great car! But you're right, the 2004 will be a lot better! Sorry to hear about how your car was problematic too - that really is bothersome and takes a lot of fun out of ownership. I'm glad Jaguar fixed up the line quickly though. Even the surveys have noticed Jaguar's ironing out of the problems in the X-type - it jumped up nine positions in one of the ratings, so the cars are definitely getting better.
#1606 of 2594 jagboyxtype by msiseng
Jun 30, 2003 (5:32 pm)
It is a compliment.And....330 bhp? Jag better let me out of the under powered 2.5 lease for this! Have you contacted JNA to do this before?
No "serious" problems with the current X and it does look sleek and sophisticated. The trunk space still amazes me. Heads turn everywhere. Wonder why Ford did not put powerful engines in the car from the start? I guess they are getting it right during year three of production!
#1607 of 2594 Leases & 2004 BOFE technology by jagboyxtype
Jul 02, 2003 (12:50 am)
I haven't personally contacted JNA about leases, as the family policy since forever has been to always purchase everything. However, several people at the other Jag board that we aren't supposed to mention here... <cough> (jagtalk.com) <cough> are already on their second X-type, having upgraded from 2.5's to 3.0 liter versions and are quite enthusiastic about the noticeable additional power.QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"The updated [2004] X-TYPE range takes Jaguar ownership, as well as the Jaguar
philosophy, into new areas"
Also, a fellow Jaguar owner who posted some stuff about the new X-type on another site warned: "Be prepared for the media to misrepresent the Bolt-On Front End (BOFE)
structure. This is the same design the new XJ uses and that the AutoSpies web
site did not understand." You've probably all read the mistaken AutoSpies report, in which "author" of the "article" as well as the bodyshop that the crashed 2004 XJ was taken to did not understand the design of the new BOFE, also found on the new X-type, and reported a (disproven) flaw in the aluminum structure. A Jaguar engineer representative followed up, explaining the way the structure worked (aparently, the bumper bar took damage as it was designed to) and AutoSpies was good enough to post that response as well.
The whole story:
Initial Article
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000160579.cfm
Response and Answer
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000162797.cfm
#1608 of 2594 by desertguy
Jul 02, 2003 (7:14 am)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/openpic.php?name=../picture_library/- - - - - dir_21/car_portal_pic_10595.jpghttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/openpic.php?name=../picture_library/- dir_21/car_portal_pic_10596.jpg
The above links show pics of XType Estates ( aka wagons)loaded for delivery in the UK. Also a quote from the article:
"Set to take on BMW's 3-Series Touring and Audi's A4 Avant, the new estate is
likely to carry a £1,500 premium over the saloon. A secret R-badged flagship to
rival Mercedes' C32 AMG estate is also undergoing testing. Offering at least
330bhp from its 3.0-litre V6, it could cost around £35,000."
Wow, that would be a 100 hp jump from the present V6. If they are doing it for the wagon I would guess it would be available in the sedan.
Sorry, the above links take you to a sign up page. Apparently you can only look at it once. Perhaps a new user will get through.
#1609 of 2594 by timbesq
Jul 03, 2003 (8:09 am)
I just took delivery of a 2003 2.5 last Friday and after one week's worth of driving, I am a satified owner. I have noticed that some contributors to this page feel that the car is underpowered. I tend to disagree. I have found acceleration and performance to be adequate to a fairly athletic driving style. Naturally, I wouldn't mind having more power, but one certainly doesn't feel as though one is driving a go-cart.While I originally intended to get a manual, my wife does not drive stick and this would have been impractical. I do enjoy playing with the electronic transmission and, while not as responsive as a full manual, it is a good compromise. I like the J-Gate setup with its dedicated shift points better than the systems such as that on the Mercedes-Benz C class which one taps back and forth. With the J-Gate, on knows which gear one is in by feel. With the side-to-side setup, one must look at the display to know. This seems less convenient as it requires the driver to look away from road.
I rather agree with jagboyxtype's comments about interior luxury. Indeed, the luxury level was a determining factor in my purchase. While the BMW 325xi, in my opinion, was the better performer, it could not compare in style and features at the same price point. At any rate, press reviews calling the interior spartan are off mark. The interior is not overly crowded with "stuff," and at the same time does not fall prey to the minimalism of the Scandinavian designs.
I have noticed a lot of the Ford talk. For one, I am grateful that a private manufacturer bought Jaguar. After all, it makes no sense for a socialist government to own a luxury car company. I would admit to certain similarities between the aft ends of the X-Type and the Taurus, but I'm not sure that anyone has research the chicken-and-egg of the issue. The Taurus, until recently, had a much more tapered and bubble looking tail. The first time I saw it redesigned with the chrome plinth and etc. was after I first saw an S-Type for the first time. My impression was that Ford was trying to update the Taurus image to look more Jag-like, which is fair enough. Perhaps someone knows which model came first?
I have noticed only one design feature thus far which I believe could use some improvement. The buttons on the climate control panel could be a bit more touch sensitive. They require considerable depression before activating. This, however, is minor.
I had not previously heard that the 2004 model would have some redesigned features. I will be curious to see them, but I do not regret buying when I did as the prices are getting very competitive on the 2003's. Also, looking like an "old-timer" is hardly a stigma in a Jaguar. Some of the Continental models that pride themselves on more aggressive, less traditional design could not make the same claim.
The talk of an R labeled X-Type with 330hp is quite interesting. At 35,000 quid or about $56,000 USD, I would suspect it will remain a novelty as one could be in a larger model for a comparable price. Still, a desire for all that horsepower might attract AWD fans if AWD is not integrated in the larger models.
The only hesitation I had about the X-Type at all was about mechanical reliability. Please let me know if there is anything in particular for which I should be on guard.
#1611 of 2594 2003 X-Type 2.L Manual by cdhruna1
Jul 03, 2003 (9:32 am)
This message is to all the Ford employees out there and their families. The current July incentives just came out and talk about a deal. The incentive list came out yesterday at 2PM and I had purchased a car by 4PM in Philadelphia (I live in MI). I found a 2003 2.5L Manual car with no options (just the $170 CD player) which was listed at approximately $30.5K for $20,302.00That price includes A-Plan ($2,600 less), $1000 Customer Bonus Cash, $4500 Retail cash for the 2003 2.5L X-Type and $2000 for a Manual transmission car.
Not a bad deal for $20K. I would suggest calling quickly since manual cars are hard to find.
For non Ford employees, start negotiating.
#1612 of 2594 by windyjag
Jul 03, 2003 (1:14 pm)
Thanks to Jagboyxtype and all of the other posters for their numerous comments over the past few months. I sat on my hands looking for a new car for quite awhile and about a month ago I finally picked up a 2.5 auto X-Type. The car has been a joy thus far. Before buying I had narrowed it down to the BMW 3-series, the Benz C-Class, or the X-Type. For performance the BMW had the edge, but I was not impressed with the interior, and there are just so darn many of them on the road. The C-Class was a close second, but ultimately I was turned off by the lengths to which MB went to bring the price down. By the time I added back options make it feel like a "real" Benz, the pricing was a little hard to justify. Plus, I've got a three month old, and the back seat leg room is less than the X. In the end the big decision drivers were exterior design and interior luxury. The car is just aesthetically terrific, inside and out. It's the first car I've ever had where I get in and my blood pressure goes DOWN. For a guy who spends alot of time in traffic, that's a joy indeed.#1613 of 2594 This is by far the best entry-level luxury sport sedan by libertycat
Jul 03, 2003 (5:08 pm)
It has a MUCH better interior than ANY competitor; even nicer than entry-level luxury cars focused totally on luxury. Congratulations on your new X Type, windyjag, you'll LOVE it.#1614 of 2594 The latest review from Canadian Driver! (2003 3.0) by jagboyxtype
Jul 04, 2003 (7:40 am)
"Modern Classic":http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/rp/03xtype.htm
Notable Quotes:
+ "Sumptuous Connolly leather seats, walnut trim pieces and British Racing Green gauges add to the Jaguar charm, but it is the tapered tail, distinctive hood ripples and the leaping jaguar hood sculpture that will ensure that no one will mistake this car for anything but a Jaguar."
+ "The car itself appears to be much bigger than it actually is as the side profile is long and lean."
+ "Okay, I get it already. This is a Jaguar."
+ "Jaguar offers three distinct option packages for the X-Type - Premium, Sport and Weather - in an effort to meet, and in some cases, beat, the competition in this very competitive segment."
+ "I had the chance to get to know the X-Type during a period plagued with spring showers, and I must admit, Jaguar’s Traction 4 all-wheel-drive system kept the car exactly where I wanted it, tracking confidently through tight corners with just a hint of under-steer. This, along with the confident ABS-brakes, left me with full confidence in the capabilities of the Jaguar’s package."
+ "The 3.0-litre V6 has plenty of pulling power but torque is most evident at launch. While not as smooth in delivery as in some of its rivals, the car’s power is readily available when needed. The throaty growl emitted from the sport-tuned exhaust was music to my ears, and is very distinctive."
+ "The passenger cabin feels very spacious as large windows and slim roof pillars combine to offer outstanding visibility."
+ "Amazing structural rigidity as well as large four-wheel disc brakes with advanced ABS capabilities represents a good first defense in the safety arena, but the addition of the Traction 4 system and available Dynamic Stability Control should help keep things under control. In the event of an impact, dual-stage frontal airbags are supplemented by front and rear side curtain airbags, another first for a Jaguar model."
+ "The X-Type is an excellent alternative to the waves of Audis, BMW, Volkswagens and Volvos that seem to populate the highways and parking lots of the Canadian landscape, not to mention the endless parade of Japanese entries that compete for your attention in this category. It represents an elegant design with classic Jaguar style, albeit with the benefits of all-wheel-drive and all the modern bells and whistles. Its convenient size, sensible option packages and a competitive pricing structure makes the X-Type worth a long, hard look."
See! Everything I've been saying is true! Man I want that wooden steering wheel in my car. I guess I'll just have to retrofit it.
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