The Jaguar experts were not an easy task. Create a new compact sedan that blends harmoniously with the style of the brand, with excellent dynamics, impeccable comfort, decent build quality and an attractive price. Surprisingly, the British coped with all the tasks. Just two years after the board of directors of the company gave the X400 project a green light, the Jaguar X-Type debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 2001. The release of X-Type is engaged in a plant in the English county of Merseyside, which previously collected Ford Escort.
The company has invested over $ 400 million in new body assembly and trim lines, 70% of the spray booth equipment and computer control system for press production. So that up to 90 percent of the X-Type going to export leave the plant by train, a railway line is connected to it. Great attention was paid to personnel training. On average, each worker spent 350 hours on refresher courses. X-Type sedans and X-Type Estate all-rounders are the most popular Jaguar car ever.
The appearance of the X-Type is due to the growing popularity of luxury sedans class D (Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4), which are becoming more and more equipped and technically sophisticated and more and more expensive, approaching a higher class - E. Generally X-Type - Jaguar atypical. And it's not just in size.
This is the first all-wheel drive model of the brand, so even with a transversely located power unit. Plus kinship with Ford - the latest generation Mondeo platform is used. Modern attractive design was created in the best traditions of the company. The appearance of X-Tapy combines the features of three models of the company. The nose section was borrowed from the XJ, the profile and glazing of the S-Type, the characteristic stern and steep thighs of the rear wings of the XK8. Aggressive design, expensive interior, excellent handling and comfort are the main components of success.
X-Type has four driving wheels! Formula 4x4 without a doubt has its advantages. Every day there are more and more fans of this scheme in the world, and besides, buyers (in any case, the price list says so) will not have to pay extra. Fans of fast driving if they are upset, it is not too much, because 60 percent of torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. The creators of the car paid close attention to the torsional rigidity of the body. As designers say modestly, the X-Type body rigidity is 30 percent higher than that of the former leader of the BMW 3 Series.
Suspension. The front is a time-tested McPherson on double wishbone. Behind the fully independent multi-link, assembled, by the way, as the front, on a stretcher. Such a scheme promises not only confident cornering, but also a significant reduction in noise and vibration. The company of the sports chassis is made by temperamental engines.
Even the basic version of the X-Type is equipped with a 2.5-liter V-shaped "six". Although the motor is not new (it is based on the S-Type power unit), it is pleasant in all respects. It is a convincing power of 194 liters. from. combined with excellent torque of 24.9 kgf.m. Variable intake manifold length allows the engine to remove 90% of the thrust in the range from 2500 to 6000 rpm. This provides smooth acceleration in almost any gear.
And the so-called “natural” collapse of cylinders at 60 degrees should, in theory, ensure smooth work without strong vibration. 231 horsepower more powerful 3.0-liter V-shaped "six" - this is more than give out units of BMW and Lexus. In addition, the Sport version is available with both engines. Its main difference is the retuned suspension, larger wheels, sport seats and the complete absence of chrome décor.
On the X-Type is set "Ford" manual and Japanese automatic transmission. The brainchild Jaguar has always been distinguished by a rich trim. Maximum wood and leather, and as standard. The interior is purely English, “Jaguar”: almost vertical high dashboard with wood inserts, longitudinal vtyazhyak on the seats, beautiful doors with intricate pockets and speaker nets with chrome rims. Everything is done with taste and a certain amount of chic. The steering column is adjustable in two planes. Adjustments generally abound.
In addition to the required length and angle of the back, you can change the height of the front and rear parts of the pillow (separately), plus swapping the lumbar support. But there is no memory for settings. Using the air conditioner is easy - thanks to clear buttons and a large information display. Separate interior lighting. Brakes, noise and vibration isolation also deserve only kind words. There are no extraneous sounds, either from the suspension or from the interior elements, not present in the cabin.
Special attention was paid to safety. Jaguar specialists spent more than 175,000 hours on X-type computer data processing. From the development of the concept to the moment when the car left the assembly line, numerous studies were conducted, during which the safety of the car was evaluated in various collision options. The analysis made it possible to thoroughly understand and optimize the interaction of the body structure, transmission, chassis, interior trim parts and passive safety devices.
The bottom line: all components work as a single system, ensuring maximum safety for the driver and passengers. Passive safety systems installed on the X-Type as standard include dual airbags with a sophisticated sensor system.
