Atlanta-Jaguar debuted its small sedan, the X-Type, to the automotive press last week. With a base price of $29,950 for the 2.5-liter 6-cylinder model, the company is aiming to bring a car with Jaguar handling and amenities to the entry-level small-luxury class now populated by the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes C Class, the Audi A4, and Volvo S60. Jaguar says this is the fastest growing market segment.
Top features include full-time all-wheel drive (AWD), an optional five-speed manual transmission, and a 3.0-liter-powered version.
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Jaguar's new X-type was run through its paces last week by auto journalists at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and through the hills of northern Georgia.
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After taking the car through road and handling courses at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, as well as into the hills north of Atlanta, I'd say it seems the design engineers have hit their mark. The car hugs curves tightly, but with a Jaguar "floating" feel. The AWD is transparent to the driver, with the majority of noise only coming from the tires and not the mechanical systems. Keep an eye on future issues of Design News for a full drive report.
The X-Type goes on sale officially August 1. To find out more, log on to: www.x-type.com
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