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Dunno. Think it goes alright, drives well and is good value. But it looks rubbish and the interior feels a bit cramped up front and not very high quality. Poor image as well. Despite everyone moaning about platform sharing all the time, I'm sure it would do well if it was based on the new Mondeo platform and had a similar exterior and interior treatment to the XF. Perhaps price it a bit more keenly, make sure the diesels perform to similar levels as the BMW equivalents, and don't call it the X-Type and there's no reason why it wouldn't do well. Jag still has a strong image, its just the X Type which never really took off. Although I'm pretty sure Autocar gave the 2.2 diesel an unusually good review recently.

I think the recent facelift on the X-Type improves it's looks.

The X-Type has always had a poor press. The one's I drove were fine, and I have no problem with them. The trouble is many are quick to criticise the X-Type using the arguement that friend of a friend of a friend had one and it broke down.

How many are guilty of that?

 

I'm not too sure that if they create a new model, that it should be based on the new Mondeo. Reason being is that the Mondeo chassis is so large, it will be hard to manufacture a vehicle small enough not to impede on the market shared by the XF and its German "large exec" competitors. I have seen both the XF and Mondeo in close up and there isn't much in it in terms of dimensions.

What they need to do is look elsewhere in the platform range (or perhaps stick with the older Mondeo chassis, as this was a real peach), and look to overhaul the exterior and interior. Perhaps give it design ques of the XF on the front but especially on the rear as that coupe esq design has proven to be a real hit. The interior of the XF is a revelation, and this definately needs to be passed on to other cars in the range to shake that granddad image off.

In these times of recession on worries about a Jag city car based on a re-engineered Tata Nano? That could easily take on the likes of the forthcoming Audi A1 and would show a rejuvenated Jaguar taking a lead in the environmental stakes amongst premium car makers.

Realistically, with the ever increasing synergies between Jaguar and Fiat, we can probably expect to see any new small Jag being based on something like the Alfa 159 platform.

From a continuity point of view, it will still offer front drive for the lower end of the range and all drive for the upper part of the range.  Add in the fact that it is already engineered for six cylinder engines you have a relatively inexpensive good basis for a new model.  Any "small" platform car could also utilise Fiat / Alfa floor pans.

Certainly, in an idea world we would see Jaguar develop its own small rear drive platform to take on the likes of BMW but I think that may be a step too far in the current climate.

could Jag not use the Freelander platform, there built in the same factory?

TegTypeR:

Realistically, with the ever increasing synergies between Jaguar and Fiat, we can probably expect to see any new small Jag being based on something like the Alfa 159 platform.

From a continuity point of view, it will still offer front drive for the lower end of the range and all drive for the upper part of the range.  Add in the fact that it is already engineered for six cylinder engines you have a relatively inexpensive good basis for a new model.  Any "small" platform car could also utilise Fiat / Alfa floor pans.

Agreed, and future 159/Guilia models look like they will be rear wheel drive.

It just has to be beautiful...  Just use the current mechanicals - as long as it looks as good as the XF and XK it will sell enough worldwide to pay for the next model.  It just has to be beautiful...

 The leather seats will probably be stuffed with teabags.

"Tetley makes teabags, makes chairs"

I think they should down-size even more : about the size of similar sports saloons like EVO X and Imprezza.

 

Zeddy:

The leather seats will probably be stuffed with teabags.

"Tetley makes teabags, makes chairs"

What?