What they said when the Jaguar X-Type was new… (Jul 29 2001)
LET me start by making one thing crystal clear. No car I have tested, and that includes the likes of Maserati, Alfa Spider, Audi TT, even the Chevrolet Corvette, attracted so much interest as the X-Type.
Wherever I drove or parked the Jaguar, people stopped, looked, stared, wanted to get in, look at the boot size, check out the engine and not surprisingly drive the thing.
I had tried every version in the X-Type range at some point over the last couple of months bar the 3.0 V6 SE self-shifter, so this flagship model topped things off nicely.
Whether you prefer a Sport manual version as opposed to the refined shift and leather-clad luxury of the SE auto, both are instantly recognisable as big cats.
When Jaguar was conducting its X-Type research - and that took in both existing customers and drivers of other marques - the feedback left the company in no doubt that people wanted a car that looked like a Jaguar. Hence design cues like the XJ series front end and S-Type flanks and rear.
Equally important for a compact executive saloon, every version has Traction 4 all-wheel drive - and you can tell. The steering response is magnificent, body control exceptional and cornering ability nicely taut. The difference between the Sport with its lowered suspension and tuned dampers and steering is that the test car provides a more comfortable but slightly less dynamic ride.
Powertrain is the same 231bhp 24-valve AJ-V6 unit found in the S-Type and should you opt for automatic transmission, which commands a premium of £1,250, then the shifts come smoothly in at the right time.
Despite being labelled the 'baby', X-Type actually boasts the biggest boot in the entire Jaguar range, and interior space isn't so bad either. Ideally a four-seater, a centre rear passenger actually gets more room than in many rival compact executive cars.
In fact so good are the ergonomics that the interior, especially in SE trim with its paler shades, have a soothing quality that complements the overall driving experience.
All X-Types offer key technologies as standard spec - the likes of ABS with electronic brake force distribution, front, side and curtain airbags, drive-away locking, speed sensitive power steering and automatic headlamp levelling to name but a few.
The 3.0 SE adds cruise control with steering wheel audio and telephone controls, 16-inch alloy wheels, air-con, electric windows, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery and trip computer with message centre.
Words: Mike Torpey
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