Monday 15th November 2010

Paul Smith X-Type: You Know You (Don't) Want To

Why stripes don't make the X-Type cool

---

Paul Smith bad...

Let's face it - the Jaguar X-Type was never the coolest of Jags. Its Ford Mondeo underpinnings might have been perfectly competent in their own way, but the front- for four-wheel-drive Jag was always a bit too blue-collar.

And looks that were the automotive equivalent of chintz wallpaper in a Barratt Homes living room didn't help, either.

So you'd have thought that bringing in fashion designer Paul Smith would bring a spot of much-needed credibility to Jag's junior exec - after all, Mr Smith did a fine job with the special edition Mini he created in the 1990s.

Sadly, the result of Paul Smith's efforts on the X-Type created this. Now, we're not fashion experts here at PH, but we feel fairly confident in saying that the Paul Smith X-Type is almost nobody's idea of cool.

...Paul Smith good

But if for some reason you do have a craving for an X-Type with stripes on it, then this one is for sale on eBay.

It is a low-mileage car, with only 39,000 miles, and the P5 JAG registration has got to be worth a bit, but even so the vendor's minimum bid of £12k seems rather steep to us.

It's "an interesting investment opportunity that would provide a colourful centrepiece for any classic collection" says the seller but, frankly, we're not so sure.

Having said that, the headlining is signed by 15 tennis stars including Andy Roddick, so that does add some additional interest, but as autograph books go it is rather cumbersome...

eBay advert is reproduced below.

2001 PAUL SMITH JAGUAR X-TYPE V6 SPORT AUTO
UNIQUE PAUL SMITH X-TYPE WITH FACTORY PAINTED STRIPES

You are bidding on my one-off X-Type created by Jaguar with fashion icon Sir Paul Smith to launch the X-Type model in 2001. Painted by Jaguar in Paul Smith signature stripes. This car was originally auctioned at a star-studded event by Ruby Wax in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.
The interior headlining is adorned with 15 original autographs of legendary tennis stars including Andy Roddick, Jo Durie, Wendy Turnbull, Todd Woodbridge, Kevin Curren, Peter Flemming, Ann Jones and Ken Rosewall.
Early serial number 2001 X-Type 2.5 V6 Auto Sport. 39,500 miles with full service history and sold with the perfect registration number P5 JAG.
Sale includes original press material (featured in Autumn 2001 JAGUAR Magazine) and supporting documentation.
An interesting investment opprtunity that would provide a colourful centrepiece for any classic collection.

[Fun Bus]

Regularly seen around Nottingham and in the car park of one of PS's offices. Looks just as bad in the flesh.

[mybrainhurts]

Good god, looks like it's been wallpapered....

[anonymous-user]

The perfect way to make your car uber fast, by adding numerous coloured stripes :P

[FreeLitres]

"but the front-wheel-drive Jag was always a bit too blue-collar"

Hmmm, I think you mean AWD?

Anyway, even as an X-Type fan, I can agree that this looks plain nasty.

[Mooster]

That really is truly horrible. The only way that could be less desirable would be to stick some 20" chrome spinners on it. Yuk.

[Stu R]

Awful colours, average car. What a combo.

[g3org3y]

Stu R said:

Awful colours, average car. What a combo.

Indeed. I'm assuming the interior is standard (given the lack of photos)?

[JohnGoodridge]

Looks like a Next catalogue. Oh dear.

[Jaguar steve]

Excuse me, I err... oh dear...

[rutthenut]

PS Jag == Piece of 5hit Jag?

What a mess that is. Those stripes look pretty bad on anything larger than cufflinks.

[JohnoVR6]

Ebay Ad said:

This car was originally auctioned at a star-studded event by Ruby Wax

Possibly the only thing funnier than the car.

Shame really, as I've always quite like the X-types appearance/ style, no matter how much it bastardised the brand in the eyes of the die hard fans...

[sunsurfer]

A clear example of how you can be a fashion designer with no sense of style or colour.

Either that or it is a designer's equivalent of the Friday afternoon special before (or after?) opening the Dom Perignon.

Jaguar paid for that?! Somewhere Paul Smith is laughing ...

[300bhp/ton]

PistonHeads said:

Let's face it - the Jaguar X-Type was never the coolest of Jags. Its Ford Mondeo underpinnings might have been perfectly competent in their own way,

It truly saddens me

I thought PH would be above the same old ste that every other crap car reviewers spout. But no. And honestly I don't care for this specific striped Jag, but why stoop so low that you have to mention the Mondeo as though it has some relevance?


Finding an article on the web (or in a magazine) about the X-Type where the Mondeo is not mentioned is impossible. Yet oddly enough you can read almost all Audi A4 reviews an not once will they mention Golf.... A3..... SEAT Leon...... or Skoda.

Even BMW's seem exempt from this bullst. Do we find 3 Series reviews harping on that the car uses 1 Series components and engines? Do we fk!


Even Volvo's seem to get away with it......



But not Jag no. Why? Is it because we are British mayhap?

Or more because we are aholes?

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 15th November 13:01

[sprinter1050]

Budding ice cream salesmen apply here.........

(matching stripey jacket required)

[the fury]

FreeLitres said:

"but the front-wheel-drive Jag was always a bit too blue-collar"

Hmmm, I think you mean AWD?

Weren't the low-powered ones FWD?

[LuS1fer]

A travesty. So who cares if some tennis players have signed the roof. If it was mine (and it never would be in a million years), I'd be cleaning them off, that's how much value I place on them.

[W00DY]

Being someone who owns a Jag with an unorthodox paint-scheme, I should be the most likely person to want this.

I don't.

[Riggers]

300bhp/ton said:

PistonHeads said:

Let's face it - the Jaguar X-Type was never the coolest of Jags. Its Ford Mondeo underpinnings might have been perfectly competent in their own way,

It truly saddens me

I thought PH would be above the same old ste that every other crap car reviewers spout. But no. And honestly I don't care for this specific striped Jag, but why stoop so low that you have to mention the Mondeo as though it has some relevance?


Finding an article on the web (or in a magazine) about the X-Type where the Mondeo is not mentioned is impossible. Yet oddly enough you can read almost all Audi A4 reviews an not once will they mention Golf.... A3..... SEAT Leon...... or Skoda.

Even BMW's seem exempt from this bullst. Do we find 3 Series reviews harping on that the car uses 1 Series components and engines? Do we fk!


Even Volvo's seem to get away with it......



But not Jag no. Why? Is it because we are British mayhap?

Or more because we are aholes?

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 15th November 13:01

Surely the best bit about the X-Type were its underpinnings? (Just my opinion, you understand...)

[PaulMoor]

300bhp/ton said:

PistonHeads said:

Let's face it - the Jaguar X-Type was never the coolest of Jags. Its Ford Mondeo underpinnings might have been perfectly competent in their own way,

It truly saddens me

I thought PH would be above the same old ste that every other crap car reviewers spout. But no. And honestly I don't care for this specific striped Jag, but why stoop so low that you have to mention the Mondeo as though it has some relevance?


Finding an article on the web (or in a magazine) about the X-Type where the Mondeo is not mentioned is impossible. Yet oddly enough you can read almost all Audi A4 reviews an not once will they mention Golf.... A3..... SEAT Leon...... or Skoda.

Even BMW's seem exempt from this bullst. Do we find 3 Series reviews harping on that the car uses 1 Series components and engines? Do we fk!


Even Volvo's seem to get away with it......



But not Jag no. Why? Is it because we are British mayhap?

Or more because we are aholes?

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 15th November 13:01

1) No, its because the Jag is a luxury car. You will find lots of Reviews of the A4 saying it is a tarted up Golf. The Volvo too. And the BMWs? Not the same thing at all.

2) Mayhap? Mayhap?

[andyp74199]

300bhp/ton said:

PistonHeads said:

Let's face it - the Jaguar X-Type was never the coolest of Jags. Its Ford Mondeo underpinnings might have been perfectly competent in their own way,

It truly saddens me

I thought PH would be above the same old ste that every other crap car reviewers spout. But no. And honestly I don't care for this specific striped Jag, but why stoop so low that you have to mention the Mondeo as though it has some relevance?


Finding an article on the web (or in a magazine) about the X-Type where the Mondeo is not mentioned is impossible. Yet oddly enough you can read almost all Audi A4 reviews an not once will they mention Golf.... A3..... SEAT Leon...... or Skoda.

Even BMW's seem exempt from this bullst. Do we find 3 Series reviews harping on that the car uses 1 Series components and engines? Do we fk!


Even Volvo's seem to get away with it......



But not Jag no. Why? Is it because we are British mayhap?

Or more because we are aholes?

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Monday 15th November 13:01

We are "aholes" when we fall for a marketing mans idea of a 'new' car. X type from Ford. Seat Exeo from VW. both good cars as they were in their original form but its lazy and insulting to the public. I think they call it 'badge engineering'

Edited by andyp74199 on Monday 15th November 14:09

as for the paul smith one, its awful.

Edited by andyp74199 on Monday 15th November 14:12