X-TYPE REAL LIFE ECONOMY TEST

AUTOCAR APRIL 2008

The first Real Life Test Results – Jaguar X-TYPE 2.0 Diesel

If you're looking for high style and high performance, but without the high running costs, Jaguar's compact executive is the answer.

Imagine this. You're cruising serenely along the motorway in a beautiful, climate controlled cabin. The cruise control is on. You're making a handsfree phone call on the built-in Bluetooth system. There's a Jaguar badge on the steering wheel. All is right with the world.

Now, imagine yourself in a car that regularly returns fuel consumption figures of around 50mpg. Obviously, that would be different car – wouldn't it?

No. As Charlie Pierce found (to his surprise, it must be said) it's the same car: a Jaguar X-TYPE 2.0 D. Charlie's been running one for the Real Life Test that has been reported on in Autocar's data section, and online at autocar.co.uk, since May 2008. You can read about his remarkable X-TYPE experience below.

Like Charlie, you may be wondering exactly how a compact luxury car like the X-TYPE can not only boast but actually achieve an official combined fuel consumption figure of 50mpg, with over 60mpg attainable on the extra-urban cycle. The answer is a combination of state of the art technology and high-style aerodynamics.

Setting the scene for the recently-restyled X-TYPE's quietly impressive real-world performance are a body-coloured bright mesh grille surround, a classic Jaguar 'growler' badge and satin black side window surrounds. Under the lightweight bodyskin is a refined 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 130PS. Top speed where legal, is a relaxed 125mph.

Sheer driveability is perhaps the best aspect of the X-TYPE's performance. With 331Nm of torque you're never short of decisive overtaking power, and the 13.5 gallon tank gives you an easy 600-mile range between fills.

Every X-TYPE S model comes with Dynamic Stability Control, ABS, Emergency Brake Assist, automatic climate control, headlights and wipers, Belize 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, and Bluetooth™ connectivity. The SE model features a full leather interior with 2-stage heated and 6-way electrically adjustable front seats, Barbados 17in alloys, power-folding exterior mirrors, front and rear parking aids, headlamp washers, heated windscreen with timer and Jaguar´s brilliantly intuitive 7in touchscreen navigation system. It's what you'd expect from Jaguar, in a compact and remarkably economical package.

X-TYPE prices start at just over £21,000. It's a small price to pay for such a 'big' Jaguar experience – not to mention such big mpg figures.

How to save over £1000 a year. Enjoyably.

Just how cheap to run is an X-TYPE 2.0D? Publisher Charlie Pierce has been racking up big miles in a 2.0D SE since April 2008.

'I live in Gloucestershire but have to travel widely for work, so I'm doing more than 40,000 miles a year,' says the 45-year-old father of two. 'I haven't got time to drive the Jaguar in any special kind of way, but without even trying I'm regularly getting mpg figures in the high 40s.

'If I was doing a typical 12,000-mile year, my fuel spend based on 49mpg and a nominal diesel price of 110p a litre would be £1224. If I was driving a 39mpg car instead, I'd be paying £1538 a year – that's another £314.

'Over 40,000 miles, the savings are considerably greater. Compared to a 39mpg car the X-TYPE is saving me £1047. That's a big chunk of the family holiday paid for.'

The X-TYPE is cheap to run in other ways too. The 2.0D's low CO2 emissions figure of 149g/km puts it in the £120 Vehicle Excise Duty band. Only the supermini/hybrid bands B (£35) and A (£0) are cheaper. And company car tax liability is an attractively low 20%.

'The best part about it is, the Jaguar's a genuine pleasure to drive,' says Charlie. 'The whole Jaguar X-TYPE experience has been incredibly positive.'

• Week	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
  mpg	45.7	46.5	48.5	49.9	48.1	47.2	47.6	47.2

  
  

  Week	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
  mpg	47.6	46.8	48.2	49.0	45.8	47.3	45.9	50.3

  
  

  Week	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
  mpg	47.2	47.6	46.0	45.0	44.9	45.9	44.1	47.2

  
  

  Week	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32
  mpg	46.0	44.3	45.0	48.0	44.7	44.7	42.7	47.2

  
  

  Week	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40
  mpg	42.1	47.5	45.6	43.5	45.5	44.8	37.1	45.8

  
  

  Week	41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48
  mpg	47.1	46.0	43.8	45.7	41.2	46.3	44.8	49.5

  
  

  Week	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56
  mpg	43.2	43.6	43.4	43.0	43.5	45.1	44.7	45.7

  
  

  Week	57	58	59	60	61	62	63	64
  mpg	42.5	46.0	46.0	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC