X-Type Redux? Jaguar reportedly considering entry-level coupe
To put it mildly, sales of the Jaguar X-Type have never quite lived up to worldwide expectations, and that's especially true in the American market where the car did way more damage to the automaker's reputation that its middling sales numbers were ever worth. Jaguar is hoping that its upcoming XJ restores some of the leaping cat's lost luster, and if that happens, exciting prospects may very well open up for the classic British automaker.
Not surprisingly, there are no plans to replace the X-Type in Jaguar's line, but there are a number of options that the automaker could explore for future automobiles – not the least of which is the rumored XE compact sportscar. Engineering chief Mick Mohan tells Autocar that another possibility would be an entry-level coupe that could sport a sticker price several thousand dollars under that of the XF:
One more interesting tidbit from Mohan is that Jaguar has absolutely no intention of following Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz into the crossover market. "Utility will never be what we're about", he says, and somehow, we're thankful for that.Personally, I'd love to make a compact coupe – an Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series coupe rival. There's plenty of profit to be made on those cars, and our aluminum platform technology gives us the opportunity to make one. I think we'd make a really good one too.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Patrick 2:07PM (9/17/2009)
Thank God for no Xovers. Please please please Jaguar make an affordable Ian Callum-style coupe for $40k. Pleaseeeeeee.
Land Rover should be to Jaguar, as GMC SHOULD be to Buick.
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Rob 2:40PM (9/18/2009)
Agreed. They are capable of it, I know they are. Come on, Jag!
Alex 2:10PM (9/17/2009)
Utility is Land Rover's job.
Personally, I would like to see Jaguar rebuild their reputation before trying to appeal to the masses. Produce the XE or a mid-rear sports car. Something that tells the world Jaguar is not f*cking around anymore. A 3-door coupe will never live up to sales expectations if people don't have a lust for the brand; while the three models that are out are excellent, they don't stir enough passion in the buying demographic that is going to be purchasing an entry level 3 door coupe.
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Doogs 2:40PM (9/17/2009)
Sadly, utility hasn't really been Land Rover's job either, at least not for the last 5-7 years. Utility with a dash of luxury (i.e. leather seats and power windows) gave way to luxury with a dash of utility.
BoxerFanatic 3:32PM (9/17/2009)
Personally, I wouldn't mind that their entry level coupe be a 2+2, as long as it is slick.
The e-type coupe did have small rear seats.
A V6/V8/R-V8 mid-sized 3-door coupe, downsized from XF a bit, like a more lithe, more slick, more aggressive smaller sibling to the XK coupe and convertible.
A 2-seat only should be do-able, but that would be going after 370Z, and Z4, Boxster/Cayman, rather than the more mainstream, more real-world pragmatic competition like G37, IS, 3-series, and A5.
If they want to make money, and the safer play is with the more widely applicable 2+2 platform, even if a 2-seater is more exciting. 2 seaters fit in fewer people's lifestyle requirements and family sizes, even as a secondary, fun vehicle.
If Tata/Jag/LR were awash in cash, I would say a true sports car would be a very cool thing to see from Jaguar. I am not sure the economics are that tolerant and abundant right now.
future-autos.blogspot.com 8:41PM (9/17/2009)
IF they keep the damn thing simple then it should succeed - Infiniti went up against the 3-series a long time ago with a manual and real sick driving characteristics, and scored big, and we all know the modern-day classic that the G is now. Jaguar, do a 3-series competitor RIGHT this time.
RamblinReck89 2:14PM (9/17/2009)
Someone fire up photoshop quick!
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Auari 2:50PM (9/17/2009)
Yes please do. I'll give you a cookie!
Kumail 3:13PM (9/17/2009)
How about a waffle?
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Spartan 2:18PM (9/17/2009)
I owned an X-Type Sport 5MT and it was one helluva car. It would have done a lot better if they would have kept it fresh. It wasn't nearly as bad as people made it out to be.
However, if Jaguar builds an A5/3 Series competitor, I'll be first in line if it has decent power and a manual transmission
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RamblinReck89 2:33PM (9/17/2009)
The MT is the kicker. I bet they'll force you into a dual clutch and then grin stupidly like they just did something you should be proud of.
Doogs 2:44PM (9/17/2009)
Yeah, I don't get the hate for the X-Type. I don't think the XJ's styling translated particularly well to a more compact vehicle, but apart from that it seems like a solid car, and a downright steal on the used market.
Personally I always thought the S-Type did a lot more damage. Apart from being ugly and based on the Lincoln LS platform, it just...stayed...for years.
I'm so much happier with where Jag is these days that words can't express it.
wupolo 2:17PM (9/17/2009)
Yes please my xf lease is up in 2 years.
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artandcolour 2:26PM (9/17/2009)
Spartan beat me to it, but i know of 3 Xtype owners that love their cars-2 sedans and a wagon. i think the enthusiast rags did a huge disservice to the car. the all wheel drive system in a small luxury car is what they like the most, and then the interior and the exterior. sometimes i think the press is too arrogant for their own good.
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F50 2:31PM (9/17/2009)
It looks doable, base it off a shortened XF or XK platform if they really want to save costs. plus the XF and XK are great looking cars.
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Auari 2:38PM (9/17/2009)
WOOT Good move jag.
Please don't be like Mercedes and not offer a manual.
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havoc 2:43PM (9/17/2009)
the old x type was little more than a mondeo/contour with fancy bits.
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Pete 2:56PM (9/17/2009)
DO IT! I've had an X- and S-Type and loved them both. No issues with either and lament Jaguar dropping the lower end of the market, even if the X was based on the Mondeo. It was a good, reliable, comfortable driving car. I could easily do another. I just can't afford the XF anymore on retirement money!
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Spartan 2:59PM (9/17/2009)
I loved my X-Type, and I only got rid of it because I deployed, and as it stands, I wish I hadn't. I can't find another manual transmission sport model for sale at all.
The X-Type Sport with the manual tranny was neck and neck with the 3-Series when it debuted in 2001, and it had a tad more power to boot. I'm sure within the next few years, Jaguar will embark upon the compact sport sedan/coupe market. The timing is perfect right now while they're on a roll with the XF, XJ, and XK.
Just gimme a powerful V6 or better, manual transmission, and keep it under 45k with all options, and I'll buy one.
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inline6 3:30PM (9/17/2009)
I'm sorry AB, but you're way off-base here:
A smaller sports coupe would NOT be an X-Type redux because the X-Type was never available as a coupe, nor was it ever anything close to a "sports car". That'd be like calling the new Fiesta a "Pinto redux".
And the X-Type may not have sold well, but it was a good car in its own right. Midpack for its class. I think it'd have been much cooler if Ford used a shortened Australian Falcon platform instead of the Mondeo's bits.
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