[01
NOV 00] JAGUAR NEWS
Jaguar Reveals Its Pride And Joy
The
latest addition to the Jaguar family has been unveiled by its proud
parents today – and it is expected to double the company’s
worldwide sales.
THE JAGUAR X-TYPE
The
smallest Jaguar yet, it has been christened the X-Type, and was
designed at the Whitely Engineering Centre in Coventry.
The
four-door saloon will fly the flag for the company against
prestigious rivals such as the Mercedes Benz C class, the Audi A4
and the BMW 3 series.
It
will be made at Halewood in Merseyside and will be on sale in the UK
and the rest of Europe in the middle of next year.
Jaguar
managing director Jonathan Browning said the X-type, which will be
cheaper than the other models in the Jaguar range, should double the
firm’s sales.
Since
the launch of the S-type, Jaguar has seen its popularity grow, and
hopes to sell 85,000 cars this year.
Mr
Browning said:
“As
the smallest and most affordable model in the range, the X-type
challenges existing perceptions about Jaguar.
“Appealing
to a new generation of customers, the X-type exemplifies
Jaguar’s new performance spirit, offering a fresh, contemporary
expression of Jaguar values in a compact, stylish, sports
saloon.”
It
is the first time that a Jaguar will offer all-wheel drive as
standard. It will have a V6 2.5 or 3.0 litre engine.
Mr
Browning said the new car, dubbed the Baby Jag, will attract a new
generation of buyers to the marque:
“Customers
for the X-type typically will be younger than traditional Jaguar
buyers with notably different needs. We also expect X-type to
attract far more female buyers.
“They
may be young professionals, perhaps starting a family, whose cars
have to fulfil a multitude of different roles, lengthy motorway
trips on business, energetic leisure activities with friends and
even the weekly supermarket run.
“But
these are the people who require a car to have discernible style
and individuality too.
“With
its unique blend of style and practicality, the X-type fulfils all
these needs.”
More
details of the car, including its price, will be revealed by the
company next year. It is expected to cost around £22,500
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