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Jaguar X-Type
The Jaguar X-type is an entry-level luxury vehicle based on the Ford Mondeo. It is built on a modified version of the Ford CD132 platform, a British version of the Ford CDW27 platform, which is the base for the Ford Mondeo. Jaguar states that 10% of the parts are made by Jaguar, 20% are made by Ford, while the rest are made by subcontractors. This model of motorcar first began production in 2001 (as a 2002 model) and remains in production at Jaguar's Halewood facility in England.
The X-TYPE is the smallest of the current Jaguar saloon (sedan) cars, and was designed to build on the success of the S-Type, although it takes many styling cues from the XJ series. It has good handling — the all wheel drive system which is tuned to send 60% of engine power to the rear wheels and 40% to the front for a sportier feel.
Market and sales
The X-TYPE was designed as a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Sales have been poor, however, blamed on its resemblance to the larger XJ which was traditionally bought by older customers, not the younger ones that Jaguar craved. Initially projected to surpass 100,000 annual sales, the X-TYPE peaked at 50,000 in 2003.
Sales in the United States, its primary market, dropped from 21,542 in 2004 to 10,941 in 2005. BMW sold 106,950 3 Series cars in the U.S. in 2005, while Mercedes-Benz sold 60,658 C-Class cars and Audi sold 48,922 A4 and S4 models. Only Lexus' IS 300 posted similarly disappointing sales. Despite these poor numbers, the X-TYPE is Jaguar's best-selling model, accounting for 36% of overall sales.
The model is scheduled to remain in production through 2009, an extremely long production cycle for a modern automobile, especially one with poor sales. It is unlikely that the model will be replaced when production ends, as Jaguar has scaled back expansion plans.
Powertrain
The X-TYPE is equipped in the United States with either a 192 hp (143 kW) 2.5 L or a 227 hp (169 kW) 3.0 L Jaguar AJ-V6 engine and all wheel drive, the X-TYPE is also available with a 2.0 L front wheel drive. In Europe, the X-TYPE is also available with petrol or diesel engine. A 2.2 L diesel engine was introduced in mid-2005.
Body styles
The initial version of the X-TYPE was a saloon. In early 2004, this was joined by an estate version, making it the first ever Jaguar estate car, in addition to the first to use a diesel engine. The estate version was launched to mixed reception. In the United States, the estate is officially known as the Sportwagon.
