Supercharged Jaguar X-Type R set for Geneva?

jagspeed submitted on 02/08/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:11 PM
from: coolbrit.net

Tags: Supercharged Jaguar X-Type R set for Geneva?

Is Jaguar gearing up to challenge BMWs next M3 with a supercharged V8 powered X-Type R? Jaguar had ambitious plans years ago to launch a supercharged X-Type R, which an article from Automotive News confirmed this week. Jaguar’s top brass squashed the project, as they needed to focus on new diesel engines for Europe at that time. X-Type R prototypes were boxed up and shipped off to Jaguars secret compound never to be seen again. However, we just got a tip from Giancarlo over at enthusiast Jaguar forum jaguarmania.forumfree.net who says Jaguar might have a surprise at Geneva Motorshow next month. According to Jaguarmania Forums, the face-lifted X-Type will be introduced at Geneva as well as a Concept X-Type R powered by the 4.2L supercharged petrol V8 from the XKR, paddle-shifter gearbox, new sport suspension..... Read Article

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 2:30:45 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That wouldn't make sense. It would lose even more money for Jag, and it wouldn't be good enough to compete with RS4, M3, IS-F, C63, CTS-V...

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cdoke - 2/8/2007 2:40:02 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

As a Jaguar driver I say this with the utmost respect and concern...this kitty needs to die. The S-type was the "Baby Jag", so what is teh X-type, the "Fetal Jag"? Abort it.

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louisvuittondon - 2/8/2007 4:01:04 PM

+2 Boost

Too little too late. I always had a thing for the xtype 2.5 awd. If they had SC that thing a few years back, Maybe I'd of gotten one.

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bmwdrvr - 2/8/2007 4:05:58 PM

+3 Boost

imo they just need to redo the x-type on a new rear wheel drive platform...the problem is that the x type has never hit sales estimates, but at the same time what is the best selling jaguar?? the stype segment doesnt have the sales to revive the brand, look at infiniti, the g35 was a huge success for the brand, they started in the entry level than went to the m, jag needs to the same, the problem isnt the segment its the fact the x-type is not competitive, everything is better for the most part. so why not make a legitimate entry luxury car to compete and stand out from the crowd, and help boost sales and profits, thats the segment of the luxury market with the most sales, why kill the car that sells the most, off estimates or not

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cdoke - 2/8/2007 4:43:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The problem is that Jaguar ever attempted to be like BMW or Mercedes to begin with. I've heard it repeatedly said that Jaguar used to be in the position that Maserati is now in in the minds of people. The people at Jaguar know that the X-type was a massive failure, they invested large sums of money to be able to produce it and in so doing they have massively damaged to brand. Not only its pocketbook but also its image. They know this. They don't advertise the X-type: you will never see it in a TV commercial. It may be the best selling, but it is also by far the most significantly declining. XJ and XK declines are holding steady at 13.8% and 10.1 % respectivley. S-type declines were 22.3%. X-type declines were 47.2% That is a pretty clear picture of what is going on [those were for 2005]: latest info I could find]. In addition, their profit margins are lower for the cheaper vehicles.

Thank goodness, Jaguar has realized this problem, and intends to move upmarket to "higher margin" vehicles. I remember when teh XJ was the cheapest vehicle they made and $980,000 supercars bore the name "Jaguar", that is a far cry from some 30,000 POS. In addition, I have read that they intend to remove the X-type from their German, Japanese and American markets.

Forbes says that Jaguar owners will accept nothing less than the XJ/XK and that it should never have been made into anything but a niche brand: its too...refined. In my experience, and I kmnow a fair number of Jaguar drivers, a typical Jag driver can tell you that the highest note in "The Aria of the Queen of the Night" from Die Zauberflote [umlaut over the o, I think] by Mozart is an F6 [F in the 6th octave]. There are very few people like that anymore.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:49:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I'm pretty sure the XK is improving now. It was sold out (the new one), if I remember.

I don't know why/if the XJ has been losing sales. Although it doesn't have the tech of the Lexus or Germans, it's a beautiful car, inside and out. It doesn't need some 380hp V8 to be fast- it's LIGHTER THAN THE S-TYPE. It also gets better mileage than the X-Type 3.0 (XJ8).

cdoke - 2/8/2007 10:41:27 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I recently [ about a week and a half ago] went to one of the two Jaguar dealerships here and spoke with a salesman. The XK that they had there was the first one since they had come out that actually was not spoken for, and that they anticipated that it would be there for no more than 2 days. I have yet actually to even see the coupe.

mini22 - 2/8/2007 4:48:24 PM

+2 Boost

This car would sell if they lenghened the wheelbase 4 inches and did a restyle of the front and rear grill,headlights and tail lights in the vain of the new XF. Also change out the dash. The platform itself could stay the same. I think one main reason it did not do well in the states was the rear leg room was abissmal.

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1995e34 - 2/8/2007 5:14:18 PM

+2 Boost

i think the problem may have been the mondeo it was based off. while the mondeo was a good ford, it wasn't such a good jaguar.

as far as i know, this platform wasn't designed for premium cars.

if you look at some previous succesful platform sharing models, such as the original audi a4, you start off with a passat. now the passat is upmarket enough that it was able to be a good launchpad for the a4, and the a4 was eventually able to distance itself from its less expensive cousin.

ford has no such platform (except for maybe aussie ford falcon).

they need a small rwd platform with irs. no ford mondeo, no lincoln mkz.

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IS3andME - 2/8/2007 7:12:59 PM

+1 Boost

Well Jaguar should never have been based of of afront wheel drive Ford. If anything the X-type should have been a SUV or a Crossover, the name befits that, "X-type", like the BMW X-5.

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Agent63 - 2/8/2007 7:29:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

It actually doesn't look that bad but it would be a waste for Jaguar to attempt a little market share with this "overdue for redesign" Jag. It reminds me of what Acura did with their TL with the TYPE S and TYPE S A-spec (In Canada) with the previous generation. But in Acura's case it wasn't a waste of money. Jaguar should wait for the new generations to come and develop a completely different line up with new styling to compete against its rivals. If not in performance at least in the luxury styling and comfort.

Jaguar's look is quite prestige regardless. It's British luxury but not at its best. With more funding and better designers they could revitalize this brand and make it one of the best contenders in the market. For example in a 5 star hotel, a Jaguar XJ fits perfectly fine alongside S-class, 7, A8, and the ultra-luxury brands like Bentley, RR, & Maybach. It looks the part but a little short in the performance department even though that wouldn't matter to people who would buy a Jag.

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cdoke - 2/8/2007 9:08:54 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I don't know...The big Super V8 Jaguar XJ does 0-60 in 5.0 seconds. That seems sufficiently fast to me for a large 4 door. Granted, it isn't anything like the S63 AMG, but it is on par with the Maybach 57S, .1 sec behind the Audi S8 [I have my Feb. Robb Report Car of the year 2007 right here]

They are developing that 5.0 liter V8 which most certainly will appear in their upper echelon vehicles. In addition, the redesigned XJ is set to be in showrooms in 2010 just in time for the new engine. I've read that it will be something rather special: I hope so. If it is I want one. I hope Ian Callum and cohorts don't screw it up.

Perhaps, as well, Jaguar should utilize the Daimler name more, preferably with a unique styling set. They don't sell them here in the United States, because they are afraid that Americans won't know the difference between them and Daimler Chrysler. In the end I think Jaguar needs to stop screwing around with these little projects like the X-type, which were no doubt invented by some idiot with an MBA, and actually do something significant.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:51:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The S8 is a little faster than you said... Audi says 4.9, but 4.7 is the norm.

Still, the XJR is fast. And in reality, S63 isn't all that much faster than either of them. It's heavier than S8, and probably can't go much faster.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 9:52:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

And...

I agree about Daimler. Although I don't know what the difference is between the Daimler Saloon and the XJ, perhaps it could be Jaguar's ultra-upscale brand. Not just a halo car- but an entire brand.

cdoke - 2/8/2007 9:56:11 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

All I know is that Robb Report says S63 AMG 0-60 is 4.2 sec.

cdoke - 2/8/2007 9:57:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

S4cabriofoxone,

My understanding is that the Daimler is actually the Jaguar "Super V8" in the American market.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/8/2007 10:30:45 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You're thinking about the S65, with the bi-turbo V12. The S63 AMG, which I don't think is on sale yet, has a 6.2L V8 with around 500hp.

cdoke - 2/8/2007 10:43:04 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You are correct sir. Apparently I wasn't paying that much attention.

cdoke - 2/8/2007 11:00:47 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

...and I should be corrected again, they apparently don't use the name "Daimler" due to copyright issues. Instead it is the Vanden Plas that is its equivalent [or at least was] in places like the U.S. and Germany.

Agent63 - 2/8/2007 11:05:14 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Is Daimler even still around?

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cdoke - 2/8/2007 11:27:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Sure

http://www.keycast.com/keycast/daimler/?route=_uk_en_xj_models_pricing_models@__link__InfoBlockLink_4

cdoke - 2/8/2007 11:28:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

...and it is the Super V8 anymore, the Vanden Plas is called the "Sovereign"

cdoke - 2/8/2007 11:43:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Hm. It is not as simple as teh same thing as a simple badge change; teh Daimler commands so much more than the Super V8: they are £81,000,00 or almost $159,000.00 US

cdoke - 2/9/2007 12:39:11 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

For some reason tonight, I really don't seem to be able get anything right...They do use "Daimler" in Germany. maybe it isn't copyright issues...maybe it is...I've read both interpretations...somewhere.

TauronB2G - 2/8/2007 11:28:33 PM

+2 Boost

I can't talk platforms or heritage or any of that but what I can say is the X Type should have been a little bigger, had more power and the interior should have been a bit nicer. The X Type R might not be a bad car for them if it brings in the cars updated look. The 2.5 should be discontinued completely, the 3.0 needs to be bigger. I could see the X Type R being a good vehicle, it already has AWD add in a kick ass engine and freshen it up a little and keep the price in line it could be a heck of a sleeper. Understated, elegant and fast as hell. Isn't that what a Jaguar should be???
T

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Sunshine1810 - 2/9/2007 12:07:52 AM

0 Boost

My grandmother was shopping around for a much needed new car after her 1987 Mercedes Benz 300SEL was falling apart. With nearly 250,000 miles on the odometer she was off. She loved the Jaguar X Type 3.0 and decided to buy it. My father who also needed a new car loved her car so much that he bought the same thing in a different color. The two cars are virtually the same. My father has Active Yaw Control on his. Her car actually drives better than my father's even though her's is older. I never liked the X Type and still don't after driving both their cars. I do like the wood on the car and the navigation system. The X Type R is a bold move by Jaguar but as many people have said, its too late to expect a major success.

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dixa - 2/9/2007 1:57:36 AM

+2 Boost

I agree with u LV, what took them so long. Who's going to buy a car like that when knowing that Jaguar is going to produce the XF.

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Agent63 - 2/9/2007 11:24:56 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I'm quite interested in Daimler as I only know of that name from it being the makers of Mercedes Benz. Now I'm aware of the name being brought on after the new ownership came along back in the days. But how is this car marketed and what is the pricing on these Daimler cars? Are they known worldwide as ultra-luxury cars? or the same market as the same class of cars in comparison to the big III from Germany and Jaguar.

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cdoke - 2/9/2007 12:34:43 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I really don't know how they are marketed. I do know that until about 1950 Daimlers were really the sole mechanism of land transportion for the English Royal family. They are priced well above the top-of-the line Jaguars here in the US. As I said before they are £81,000,00 or almost $159,000.00 US. Now,that is not a greatly accurate picture, the XJR is £59,540.00 or about $115,000.00 US. They are sold in the US for $81,500.00; or a $35,000 difference. If you compare the Super V8 to the Daimler Super Eight there is an almost $70,000.00 difference. The Daimler has a bit different accouterments, but is not radically different.

I find it interesting that the most expensive sedan Jaguar makes, does not bear the Daimler name. Little known is that Jaguar make the world's only production armoured vehicle. It is a b6 ballistics certified [basically built for heads of state] version of the XJ: and costs around $400,000.00

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cdoke - 2/9/2007 12:58:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The history of Daimler is interesting, Gottlieb Daimler never made cars under his name, but an Englishman by the name of Simms, purchased the patent rights and formed "Daimler" as an English company in 1893. They, like Gottlieb Daimler only made engines, but in 1895 a man named Lawson bought the rights to the Daimler engine for the purpose of motor transport.

In addition, I don't know if you have seen Casino Royale but the limo that Bond and the woman were driven to the hotel in, was a Daimler.

AmazingBimmer - 2/11/2007 10:11:01 AM

0 Boost

s4.. disagree.. this could compete quite effectively with the S4 and maybe the upcoming lexus. It certainly wont compete with the M or AMG, which are as usual, in a differnt class in the performance sedan segment.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/11/2007 11:51:42 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I didn't say S4, I said RS4. You know the RS4 whoops the E46's @ss and the C55 isn't even worth mentioning. Mercedes AMG is about straight-line speed- their handling cannot match M or RS. I have a feeling F will work under the same principle.

And, in Jaguar R tests vs. Audi S tests (of which there have been very few), the German car wins. I think the closest competitors would be the XJR and S8. Both are very good-looking, and both have powerful engines. That's where the similarities end; S8 pulls ahead. In fact, in a Motor Trend article that I got today, they compared the S8 to the S63 and Quattroporte AT. Guess who won? The S8... by a hair. S63 wasn't sporty enough, but in some cases it was too hard to control, and the Quattroporte was still crude and had a harsh suspension.

You just seem to live under a rock, don't you?

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