The Jaguar X-Type gets a facelift for 2008, along with new features inside and out, and a new automatic transmission in the 2.2-litre diesel model. It all adds up to 500 new components.

The updated car's exterior styling is refreshed — with changes that reflect some of the marque's new saloon car design language — with subtle interior revisions and greater choice of trim and equipment.

"The styling revisions to the new X-Type are subtle, but their effect is dramatic - creating a stronger, more sporting personality while underlining the car’s luxury credentials," said Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director, "and importantly, the saloon and estate versions still have their own, distinct visual identities."

For the first time in this model range, the X-Type now offers the combination of diesel power with automatic transmission — pairing the 2.2-litre diesel with a six-speed automatic, and the 'one-touch control' of "Jaguar Sequential Shift" for manual gearchanges.

In the new saloon, the 2.2D manual version has headline figures of 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, a maximum speed of 220km/h, a combined economy of 6.0l/100km, and a CO2 rating of 159g/km. The respective figures for the 2.2D automatic are 9.9 seconds, 208km/h, 6.9l/100km and 184g/km.

Technology time

Apart from the advanced auto 'box, the new Jag also introduces upgraded electronic features, from new digital audio options to improved Bluetooth connectivity and enhanced parking aids.

The new Bluetooth® Phase 2 system offers the ability to pair up to five different handsets to the car, where the earlier system offered only a single pairing. It also offers extended phonebook functions and enhanced connection strategies.

And rear park aids now match the front ones in being ‘Generation 5’, using new technology that allows the sensors to be smaller, neater and body coloured.

Building on strengths

Visually the X-Type's upgrade includes new frontal styling that introduces a ‘3D’ bright mesh grille, with a bold frame and body coloured outer surround that echo the design themes of both the XJ and XF. A new Jaguar 'growler' emblem is prominently mounted within the mesh grille.

The new front bumper incorporates integrated side marker reflectors, colour-keyed sensors for the next-generation park-aid system and re-profiled covers for the headlamp power-wash system where fitted. And, like the bright 'splitter' in the lower air intakes, it adds visual width.

The redesigned rear bumper continues the clean, confident theme, shrinking the visual mass of the rear of the car. Echoing the bright splitter in the front, a full-width bright chrome signature blade brings the X-Type in line with the rest of the Jaguar range. And a new roof-mounted Antenna Pod for saloon and estate replaces the previous aerial.

In profile, new sill shapes connect the re-styled front and rear bumpers and visually lower the centre of gravity, for a more purposeful stance, underlined by cleaner, more modern side mouldings.

The new door mirrors include the options of memory settings and power foldback and include integrated side repeaters — again, a feature common to the new XJ and new XF.

Completing the external visual changes, the new X-Type introduces two new five-spoke alloy wheel styles while the exterior colour palette ranges from Porcelain White to the new Ultimate Black.

The inside story

The interior freshening also focuses on incorporating contemporary Jaguar design.

The new car introduces four new seat styles, each with its own matching door trim, while a dark Rosewood veneer is a new option for the panelling.

Other new details include a new Tungsten paint finish for the air vents, manual gearshift surround, ashtray (or storage, centre stack bezels, steering wheel switch bezels and master light switch. There is chrome edging for steering wheel and air-vent thumb-wheel controls, a new steering wheel growler badge, and new headlining and pillar trim covering materials.

The instrument cluster has a sportier look — similar to that of the new XF — with a combination of green dial illumination and white pointer illumination, just as in the XK.

So in every respect, the new X-Type does what the X-Type has always done, and moves things on.

Pricing:
2.0 V6 SE Automatic: R303 000
2.2 Diesel SE Manual: R310 000
2.2 Diesel SE Automatic with Jaguar Sequential Shift: R325 000
Estate 2.2 Diesel SE Manual: R320 000
Estate 2.2 Diesel SE Automatic with Jaguar Sequential Shift: R335 000
3.0 V6 SE Automatic: R365 000