1^st November, 2000

It’s official – the X400 is the ‘X-Type’

Jaguar’s all-new, compact sports saloon, which goes on sale in 2001, will be called the Jaguar X-Type, the company announced today.

Previously known only by its engineering codename, X400, the four door X-Type is Jaguar’s first entrant in the highly competitive, fast growing compact saloon segment, where it will compete with the Mercedes C -class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

It’s a Jaguar, Jim – but not as we know it
For the first time on a Jaguar, all-wheel drive is standard, endowing the X-Type with nimble and sporting driving dynamics, making it a car for driving enthusiasts.

Effortless, refined performance comes from V6 engines in either 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre form, both derived from the AJ-V6 power train already successfully proven in the larger Jaguar S-TYPE saloon.

The performance spirit of the new X-Type is also reflected in its stylish, contemporary yet distinctive shape, unmistakably identifying it as a Jaguar.

In the richly crafted interior, traditional materials blend with technological innovation, and the overall feeling of sporting luxury is complemented by the practicality of the generously proportioned interior and boot space.

Seeking a new generation of Jaguar drivers
Positioned below Jaguar’s S-Type saloon range in both size and price, the new X-Type will attract a new generation of customers to the marque.

"Customers for the X-Type typically will be younger than traditional Jaguar buyers with notably different needs. We also expect X-Type to attract far more female buyers," said Jonathan Browning, Jaguar’s managing director.

"They may be young professionals, perhaps starting a family, whose cars have to fulfil a multitude of different roles - lengthy motorway trips on business, energetic leisure activities with friends and even the weekly supermarket run. But these are people who require a car to have discernible style and individuality too. With its unique blend of style and practicality, the X-Type fulfils all these needs."

A doubling of sales?
Establishing Jaguar as a four model line company, the X-Type is expected to accelerate the company’s transformation from a niche player into a major competitor in the premium car segment.

The smaller, more affordable X-Type complements and extends Jaguar’s existing range of XJ Series and S-Type saloons and XK Series sports cars. Fuelled by the success of S-Type, Jaguar today is selling at record levels around the globe.

This year, Jaguar plans to sell over 85,000 cars worldwide, and when the X-Type is in full production, it is expected to more than double Jaguar’s total sales.

But not till 2001
Designed and developed at Jaguar’s Whitley Engineering Centre in Coventry (England), the X-Type will be produced at Jaguar’s Halewood plant on Merseyside (England).

The new plant is currently undergoing a major redevelopment program in preparation for the start of production in the first quarter of next year. The new car goes on sale in the UK and the rest of Europe in the middle of next year, with other market launches following progressively during the second half of 2001. The X-Type will be on sale in Australia at the end of 2001.

"The X-Type is the perfect introduction for new owners to the Jaguar family and, by diversifying Jaguar’s product range, offers existing and potential customers more choice than ever before," said Danny Rezek, managing director of Jaguar Australia.

"Judging by the strong acceptance of S-Type in Australia, combined with an extensive pre-sell program, we are confident that our shipment of X-Type saloons will be firmly allocated to customers when the new model is officially launched at the end of 2001."