The Jaguar X-Type gets a fresh new look for 2008, along with a host of new features inside and outside the vehicle and a new automatic transmission in the acclaimed 2.2 diesel. With significant revisions including nearly 500 new components, the new generation X-Type retains all the original car’s strengths, and adds some new ones of its own.

“The new Jaguar X-Type stands for accessibility, versatility, luxury and choice within the Jaguar range,” said CJ O’Donnell, Global Marketing Director, Jaguar Cars. “The package of revisions – particularly the automatic transmission in the 2.2 diesel – presents our established dealers and the key emerging markets with an excellent opportunity to reach new customers and retain existing owners.”

The new Jaguar X-Type’s exterior styling is significantly refreshed, with changes that clearly reflect some of Jaguar’s new saloon car design language, while subtle interior revisions give more choice of trim and equipment, to further emphasise its luxury car credentials.

For the first time in this model range, the new Jaguar X-Type 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 – broadening the new model’s appeal to buyers who previously could not have this combination in an Jaguar X-Type.

The new X-Type automatic diesel combines superb refinement with optimised performance and economy, and promises more choice and even greater luxury, to appeal especially to a younger, more family-orientated audience.

Enhancements to the X-Type for 2008 offer customers improved value-for-money across the range. Priced from £21,500 for the entry model - the 2.0-litre diesel saloon - pricing for the new    X-Type remains similar. The new 2.2-litre diesel will be priced from £22,500 for the saloon and £23,900 for the estate and is available with automatic transmission for an additional £1,450.

Offering saloon and estate versions, the new X-Type goes on sale in the UK in March 2008 and in other European markets in April 2008.