|
Jaguar X-Type sedan sticks on slick with all-wheel traction
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. -- Snow and ice cover the curlicue course at a winter driving school's training track pitched across undulating terrain near the Colorado ski town of Steamboat Springs.
We're using the slick white stuff to hone our winter driving skills while testing the tenacious traction ability of the X-Type, a luxurious sports sedan in the compact class from Britain's classy coachmaker, Jaguar.
Assembled in England at Jaguar's Halewood plant near Liverpool, the X-Type comes to America as the only vehicle in its class stocking an all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment in all editions.
A computer-controlled mechanism applies the power of X-Type's transversely-mounted V6 engine to all of the wheels all of the time.
The device usually splits the engine's torque with forty percent directed to the front wheels and sixty percent sent to the rear ones, but in situations with slippery pavement a viscous coupling automatically transfers more muscle to whichever set of wheels -- front or rear -- can get a better traction bite.
Then factor into this physics equation the car's weight distribution as biased toward the front wheels by sixty percent -- which is a reverse of the torque split.
The result is an uncanny balance with the vehicle in motion, so much so that wet pavement and tight road curves fail to upset it.
Even on snow and ice, as we discover on the winter track at Steamboat, the car's balanced poise and keen traction action mesh harmoniously to keep all tires tracking forward.
As the wheels work that traction magic outside, on the inside the X-Type driver and any on-board passengers find themselves tucked safely in a cozy cabin containing the trappings of a refined luxury car.
This is an elegant environment with soft leather hides covering all seats and glossy hardwoods trimming the doors and dashboard and console.
Layout shows twin front bucket seats flanking a central console and a bench in back for two or three.
The cockpit comes with eight-way controls for the driver's seat and four-way power movement for the front passenger's seat, along with electric windows and an automatic climate system, plus leather and wood on the steering wheel with finger switches to operate the audio system, cruise control and a mobile telephone.
Exterior styling of X-Type seems elegant too with sleek skin draping over a sensuous form that projects the familiar slink of a Jaguar prow with signature round headlamps offset by a twin-port grille ringed in chrome.
Sheetmetal sections reveal smooth and contemporary contours yet hint at classic shapes from earlier Jaguars as lines sweep rearward across a long hood and low roof to the rounded rump.
At the rear the styling for X-Type defies Jaguar's historic pattern of a low-cast tail, as it hikes higher to forge a wedge-shaped profile and craft the rare Jaguar asset of a surprisingly spacious trunk.
There's enough space in the boot to carry multiple suitcases or several sets of golf clubs.
What's behind the unique name?
Historically, Jaguar has reserved alphabetical letters like X and S to define particular engines and cars, with the first use of an X tracing to 1948 and describing engines in the XF, XG and XJ series. Later, products were marked with names like S-Type and E-Type.
In Jaguar's current line, the XJ represents full-size luxury sedans, XK denotes sporty mid-size coupes and convertibles, while the S-Type label applies to mid-size sports sedans and the X-Type defines the compact sedans.
X-Type cars skew toward sporty performance and bring a choice of two different aluminum-block V6 engines.
The price-leader -- X-Type 2.5 -- packs a 2.5-liter six with dual overhead cams and continuously variable cam phasing plus an electronic throttle.
It generates 192 hp at 6800 rpm and torque of 178 lb-ft at 3000 rpm.
Another twin-cam V6 measuring to 3.0 liters drops into the X-Type 3.0, which accounts for about 90 percent of all X-Type sales in North America.
This engine makes as much as 227 hp at 6800 rpm and the torque runs up to 206 lb-ft at 3000 rpm.
With the slant toward sport and performance, all X-Type cars are available with a manual five-speed transmission by Getrag. It's standard on the X-Type 2.5 and available on the X-Type 3.0 in a sport package.
A five-speed automatic, fitted with Jaguar's J-pattern gate for automatic as well as clutch-less manual shifts, is also offered. It's an option for X-Type 2.5 but becomes the standard transmission for X-Type 3.0.
The news here is a realignment of features and price points on 2004 X-Type models.
X-Type 2.5 becomes Jaguar's most affordable vehicle with the MSRP pinned below the mark of $30,000. It's $29,995, including a $665 freight fee.
New stock features indicate a single-disc CD deck in the dash and 16-inch Tobago wheels on the ground.
X-Type 2.5 with the automatic transmission package runs to $34,490 but brings the five-speed automatic J-gate shifter plus a moonroof, heat elements for both front bucket seats and a metallic paint job.
X-Type 3.0 for 2004 scores some $2,000 worth of additional standard features yet the MSRP decreases by $3,000 compared against 2003 issues. It's now $33,995 and includes the automatic transmission, moonroof, heated front seats and split/fold rear seat plus automatic headlamps and 17-inch Cayman wheels.
Three packages of gear add more value to X-Type 3.0.
The premium package brings eight-way power controls for the front passenger's seat, memory settings for the driver's seat and mirrors, a four-function trip computer and message center, rain-sensing windshield wipers and more.
The sport package nets 18-inch Aruba wheels with performance tires, a 320-watt Alpine sound kit, xenon headlamps, sport-tuned suspension settings and computerized dynamic stability controls plus emergency brake assist.
A luxury package encompasses premium package contents plus the Alpine audio with a six-disc CD changer, burl walnut trim and 17-inch Andros wheels with all-season tires.
|
| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 JAGUAR X TYPE Specs |
| Description: |
Compact sport luxury sedan
|
| Model Options: |
Compact sport luxury sedan
|
| Wheelbase: |
106.7 inches
|
| Overall Length: |
183.9 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.5-L V6
DOHC 3.0-L V6
|
| Transmission: |
2.5-L: Manual/5 Getrag MTX75
Auto/5 JF506E
3.0-L: Auto/5 JF506E
Manual/5 Getrag MTX75
|
| Drive: |
AWD
|
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc
ABS/EBD
opt. DSC/EBA
|
| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 4 (side curtain)
|
| Gas Mileage: |
2.5-L M/5: 19/28 mpg
2.5-L A/5: 19/26 mpg
3.0-L M/5: 18/28 mpg
3.0-L A/5: 18/25 mpg
|
| Price: |
X-Type 2.5 M/5: $ 29,995, X-Type 3.0 A/5: $ 33,995 |
|
|
