This week comes the...
This week comes the official confirmation of our reports, with BMW unveiling the new MINI Traveller. The covers were lifted at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. And as our spy shots (page 6 of this week"s issue) confirm, development has already started on a production version of the show car, which could go on sale within the next two years.
The Jaguar X-Type has...
The Jaguar X-Type has been given a fresh look – and now, for the first time, the diesel model will be available with an automatic gearbox.
Bosses claim the facelifted compact executive car features a total of 500 new components. The most obvious modifications come at the front, where the X-Type now benefits from the same mesh grille design as the latest XJ luxury saloon, as well as a revised bumper.
There’s also new badging, while the door mirrors get integrated indi÷cator repeaters. At the rear, there is a new diffuser-style bumper, and customers can choose from a wider variety of trim combinations inside.
However, the biggest news is the introduction of a six-speed automatic for the 2.2-litre oil-burner. Until now, diesel fans have been forced to make do with a manual transmission. The new set-up gives the oil-burner CO2 emissions of 184g/km and combined fuel economy of 41mpg.
Both saloon and estate versions of the fresh X-Type will arrive in UK showrooms in March. Prices for the line-up are unchanged, and start at ÷£21,500 for the entry-level 128bhp 2.0D. The 152bhp 2.2D saloon costs ÷£22,500, with the load-lugging var÷iant weighing in at ÷£23,900. Custo÷mers wanting the automatic box will have to pay an extra ÷£1,450.