Jaguar's all-new, compact sports sedan, which goes on sale next summer, will be called the Jaguar X-Type, the company announced today. Previously known only by its engineering code name, X400, the four door X-Type is Jaguar's first entrant into the highly competitive, fast growing compact sedan segment, where it will compete with the Mercedes Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. For the first time on a Jaguar, X-Type features all-wheel drive as standard. The X-Type is powered by V6 engines in either 2.5-liter or 3.0-liter form, both derived from the AJ-V6 powertrain already used in the larger Jaguar S-Type sedan. The new X-Type will be positioned below Jaguar's S-Type sedan range in both size and price. "The X-Type will attract a new generation of customers to the Jaguar marque," said Mike O-Driscoll, president of Jaguar Cars North America. "The X-Type has an attitude and spirit that will appeal to a broad spectrum of customers -- a younger, broader and more diverse group than ever before," O'Driscoll predicted. "Its unique style, technical sophistication, driving dynamics and sheer individuality will set the X-Type apart." The X-Type establishes Jaguar as a four model line company, accelerating Jaguar's transformation from a niche player into a major competitor in the premium car segment, according to O'Driscoll. The smaller, more affordable X-Type extends Jaguar's existing range of XJ Series and S-Type sedans and XK series sports cars. Jaguar plans to sell more than 85,000 cars worldwide this year. When the new X-Type sedan range is in full production, it is expected to more than double Jaguar's total sales, according to company officials. Designed and developed at Jaguar's Whitley Engineering Center in Coventry, England, the X-Type will be produced at Jaguar's Halewood plant at Merseyside, England. The new plant is currently undergoing an extensive transformation in preparation for the start of production in the first quarter of next year. The new car goes on sale in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe in mid-2001, with other market launches, including the United States, following progressively during the second half of next year. Prices have yet to be announced but are expected to start at about $30,500. "As the smallest and most affordable model in the range, the X-Type challenges existing perceptions about Jaguar," said Jonathan Browning, managing director at Jaguar. "Designed to appeal to a new generation of customers, the X-Type exemplifies Jaguar's new performance spirit, offering a fresh, contemporary expression of Jaguar values in a compact, stylish sports sedan. With all-wheel drive as standard, the X-Type is also a car for the driving enthusiast," Browning said. The company expects that four out of every five X-Type buyers will be new to Jaguar, according to spokesman Martin Broomer. "Customers for the X-TYPE typically will be younger than traditional Jaguar buyers with notably different needs. We also expect X-TYPE to attract far more female buyers," Browning said. "They may be young professionals, perhaps starting a family, whose cars have to fulfil a multitude of different roles - lengthy motorway trips on business, energetic leisure activities with friends and even the weekly supermarket run. With its unique blend of style and practicality, the X-TYPE fulfils all these needs." Jaguar, based in central England, saved development costs by relying on Ford for the development of major parts of the car. It modified the Ford Mondeo's front-wheel-drive structure to all-wheel-drive. More details on the new Jaguar X-Type will be revealed early next year, according to Browning.