Jaguar is planning on releasing a BMW 3-Series rival, the new Jaguar will replace the X-Type and will sit below the XF within the Jaguar range. The new Jaguar is already under development and the images show how the compact newcomer could look when released. Tata chief executive Carl-Peter Forster made the announcement and admitted that Jaguar needed to take on its German competitors globally, so a smaller saloon was needed to help produce higher sales volume, so work has begun on the new 3 series rival. Jaguar’s new car will feature cutting-edge design, but to help separate itself from larger Jaguar models the baby Jaguar X-Type will feature plenty of smooth curves instead of sharp creases.
The images show a similar rectangular mesh grille as the Jaguar XF’s and the swept-back headlights give the new Jaguar the now familiar Jaguar family look. The rear features a more rounded boot, boomerang tail-lamps and flared wheel arches which give the new baby Jaguar a distinctive presence and muscular stance. Under the skin, sources have revealed that Jaguar is working on a new rear wheel drive platform for the X-Type replacement. Jaguar’s aim is to make the X Type replacement the lightest and best handling car in its class. Tata has set aside a 1billion budget per year for research and development for Jaguar/Land Rover and to help with costs the platform will also be used on the next Jaguar XF and XK plus all-new vehicles. Bearing in mind that the new big Jaguar XJ already uses aluminium for its chassis, so this would mean, all the Jaguar range would eventually be aluminium, this will help reduce fuel consumption significantly. Also helping to boost the new Jaguar X-Type’s green credentials is a pair of downsized engines both turbo diesel and turbo petrol units, the new diesel engine will replace the Ford-sourced 2.2-litre diesel that’s currently in Jaguar/Land Rover’s portfolio. A 3.0-litre range topping V6 turbo diesel could also be made available and by 2015 a hybrid version would also be made available. This would mean pairing the V6 turbo diesel with an electric motor that produces 47bhp and this will be connected to an eight speed automatic gearbox.
The new Jaguar should be ready in 2012, it has been earmarked as Jaguar’s next big seller and a BMW 3 series rival. Jaguar’s latest sales figures for June 2010 show that 6,776 cars were shifted, this is an improvement of 59% Compared to the same period last year.
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Andrew Tatters
