X-Type Report: Jaguar X-Type replacement aims to fight the 3 Series

[HighestOfHigh]

With the all the news coming out of Jaguar, it's obvious its Indian parents are intent on making the leaping cat a credible competitor to the world's luxury automakers. To wit: not only has Jag green-lit the XE – a next-generation XK-based competitor to the Porsche Boxster – it ready to take the fight to the BMW 3 Series in the form of a reborn X-Type.

While the previous Mondeo-based X-Type fared poorly during its run, Tata Motor's chief executive, Carl-Peter Forster, told Automobilwoche that in order for the British brand to compete on a global scale, a smaller sedan is a requirement. To that end, a new sedan is under development to slot in below the XF, likely utilizing a new aluminum architecture based on its next-generation sedan.

In addition to X-Type replacement and the new, smaller coupe – rumored to arrive in 2012 – Forster says that work is underway on a long-wheelbase version of the XF for the Chinese market and a wagon version of Jag's mid-size sedan is slated for sale in Europe (XFR estate, anyone?).

On the Land Rover front, the recently revealed Evoque is the first of three new products to debut in the next five years, including an all-new Freelander with seating for seven and a revised Defender which is set to arrive in 2015.

- Report: Jaguar X-Type replacement aims to fight the 3 Series

 

[HighestOfHigh]

First Details On Jaguar’s Replacement For The X-Type

Jaguar's XF and new 2010 XJ sedans have made waves in the sport-luxury seas, bringing a newer, fresher face to what was once a bit of a stodgy lineup. Now it looks like Jaguar may be planning even more boat-rocking, with several new models in the pipeline including a sports car, a BMW 3-Series rival and an estate wagon. The reasoning behind the new models is obvious: moving metal. To make money, Jaguar needs higher volume models, and that means lowering the bar for entry. While the XF might be argued as Jaguar's current foray into that field, it's nearer a 5-Series/E-Class size than a midsize sedan, and it starts from $52,000 and quickly runs upward of $80,000 for the XFR Supercharged. That leaves a lot of headroom for several sub-XF models. While a new sports car and stylish estate wagon would be nice, the model of most importance will in fact be the cheapest: an entry-level sedan to replace the unpopular X-Type and go head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Jaguar is reportedly developing a brand new all-aluminum platform whose modular design will eventually form the basis for the next-generation XF, XK and a new sports car. Aluminum construction will ensure that the X-Type replacement will be the lightest in its class, enabling it to become one of the most fuel efficient and best handling executive sedans on the market. Powertrains will consist of a series of downsized four-cylinder units benefitting from direct injection and turbocharging technologies. A high-performance R variant to take on the likes of the M3 and C63 AMG is almost certain. It’s still too early to determine what the car’s styling will look like but we can expect influences from the current XF and XJ models to carry over.

The expected release date is late 2012, about the same time the next-generation BMW 3-Series is due.

- http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1047444_first-details-on-jaguars-replacement-for-the-x-type

 

[Kowalski]

As long they do NOT use a front-wheel-drive repmobile as a base... I'm all for it. Jaguar really needs a rival for the 3-series and M3.

 

[Mr Robert]

It needs to be RWD. It needs to be build by other means than the last X-type.

 

[Tarek]

Good luck,by the time it's out the all new 3er will reveled with C got it's FL so is the A4..that Jag needs to be really good.