XF Jaguar droping the X-Type, focusing on new XF?

[Bartek S.]

Jaguar intends to cut its best-selling X-Type and in the future will be based on lower volume and higher profit. In the past years, Jaguar has been a loss-maker and there are rumors that it will follow Aston Martin on leaving the Ford empire.
When Jaguar launched the X-Type in 2001, they wanted to ake on the BMW 3-Series and double Jaguar’s sales to more than 170,000 a year, but they only sold around 100,000 units since its debut year.
The result is that Jaguar may reduce the X-Type presence as long as the XF will do fine: “We think XF will be the volume seller going forward rather than the X-Type."
The XF, previewed at January’s Detroit motor show as the CX-F concept car, has been labelled by the automotive industry as a do-or-die car for Jaguar. "It has to be a success. This is Jaguar’s money-shot for the next five years.
The C-XF concept is a lot closer to the production XF than other teaser concepts. The front and rear ends will be similar to the final car that debuts at September’s Frankfurt show. The headlights will be wider than the concept’s, though, and the roofline, especially towards the rear, will increase in height by another couple of inches to create better access to the rear seat as well as better headroom.
The smallest engine to power the XF will be a four-cylinder model. Also the hybrids and the V8 turbo diesel (TDV8) recently launched could be in the pipeline for XF.
Jaguar droping the X-Type, focusing on new XF? - Top Speed

 

[wltsm]

I think the reason why the X type doesn't sell is because people realise it's based on a Mondeo, but the Mondeo is a better car.

If Jaguar made a proper X type, with a better interior, and cheaper prices, as well as more radical styling, I can see it selling!

 

[Merc1]

Yep, I agree. If the X-Type was a real mini-Jaguar, RWD, interior treatments etc. etc. it would have been a hit. The styling should have been better too, it looks like a bunched up XJ. I think this XF is going to be the one for Jaguar, finally!

I say good riddance to the X-Type, it created more problems than it could have ever solved.

M

 

[Centurion]

I think the reason why the X type doesn't sell is because people realise it's based on a Mondeo, but the Mondeo is a better car.

If Jaguar made a proper X type, with a better interior, and cheaper prices, as well as more radical styling, I can see it selling!

The car being based on the Mondeo wasn't an issue. The price was the biggest problem with it. Most people looking for a small sedan are not willing or can't afford to buy such a car with a 40k asking price.

Hopefully jaguar won't try to compete in the segment. It is far too competitive, the 3er, IS, A4 and C-class and difficult to beat. Jaguar could though, on the other hand bring out a more upscale small sedan but they'll hardly have the resources and Ford would compromise the whole thing and mess it up.

 

[bmer]

The car being based on the Mondeo wasn't an issue.

Actually, it was a major issue. It got a lot of negative publicity because of the similarities with Mondeo. You have to remember that the old Jaguar owners were having heart-strokes when the S-Type was presented. It was already too middle-class for them. So seeing Jaguar go as low as FWD and four cylinder Diesel(!!!) engine was like going through an amputation without anesthesia. The X-Type was doomed from the start, there was no way it could have been a success. It could have sold better if it offered more for the same money as A4/3er/C or if it was positioned a bit higher than these cars but I doubt it would have been enough to challenge the Germans in sales or make profit.
Like the article says, Jaguar should drop X-type and make the S-type replacement something that differs from the competition, maybe something like the CLS. They should concentrate on lower volume, higher profit cars and forget 4-cylinder engines. Now that Aston is gone they can make sportscars like they used to. Jag could have a new start with the following lineup: a distinguished mid-size luxury car (perhaps 4-door coupe?) (XF), a large luxury saloon as a flagship (XJ-replacement), a smaller GT (XK), a bigger GT/(hardtop-)roadster with V8 and V12 engines and finally a V12 supercar à la XJ220 for image boost.

 

[Merc1]

The car being based on the Mondeo wasn't an issue. The price was the biggest problem with it. Most people looking for a small sedan are not willing or can't afford to buy such a car with a 40k asking price.

Hopefully jaguar won't try to compete in the segment. It is far too competitive, the 3er, IS, A4 and C-class and difficult to beat. Jaguar could though, on the other hand bring out a more upscale small sedan but they'll hardly have the resources and Ford would compromise the whole thing and mess it up.

Gotta disagree there Luw, the fact that is based on a Ford was the main issue. People don't bat an eye at a 40K 3-Series, C-Class, IS350 or A4 so price was definitely not an issue at least here in the U.S. The X-Type drove like crap, felt like crap and just was a sub-par car all the way around all because it was based on a family car chassis and not a proper rwd setup like the other members of this class.

M

 

[Bartek S.]

Spy Shots: Jaguar XF production interior

KGP Photographers have managed to snag an excellent spy shot revealing the production interior of the upcoming Jaguar XF sedan, aka Jaguar's Hail Mary pass, that's based on the C-XF.

Somehow the new interior manages to capture that old-world Jag style and combine it with modern design details. The dash is dominated by a horizontal band that's accented on the bottom by a strip of real wood trim. Above the wood we find the large, touchscreen navigation system flanked by a pair of large vents. The center console turns up and meets the horizontal cross section abruptly with a panel that appears to be trimmed in satin nickel that contains the CD player and HVAC controls. The driver's hand is obscuring what may be an iDrive-like controller, and there doesn't appear to be a proper "stick" popping up at all, which makes us wonder how you'll shift the XF out of Park. Once you're in Drive, however, those paddles on the steering wheel should make for some quick shifts.

The design overall certainly doesn't look ground breaking, just traditionally modern with its use of light beige leather, wood and satin nickel trim. Click the Read link to view the entire picture and make your own judgment.
Gallery: Jaguar C-XF Concept

 

[Bartek S.]

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2009 Jaguar XF Spied – Inside! - The Car Connection