Jaguar launches station wagon for Indonesian market
M. Taufiqurrahman and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Several decades ago, station wagons, or estate vehicles, were quite popular here before falling out of fashion.
Some people think station wagons are outdated, especially with the presence of multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) and sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
Which explains the general surprise when Jaguar's sole distributor for Indonesia, PT Grandauto Dinamika, launched on Tuesday the Jaguar X-Type Estate.
"Actually, this is more a test of the market because the estate market is not that big here," the company's chief operating officer, Darwin Maspolim, said.
"That is why we will be happy just to sell 15 to 20 units this year from expected total sales of 200 vehicles."
Currently, the company also offers an X-Type saloon, S-Type saloon, new XJ long-wheelbase saloon and new XKR coupe.
The X-Type Estate was first introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Sept. 9, 2003, and went on sale in spring of last year.
It is based on the X-Type saloon with a redesigned rear section from the B-pillar back, featuring new rear doors, a completely new roof and rear body structure, as well as new rear quarter windows.
In Indonesia, the Jaguar X-Type estate is offered with 5-speed automatic transmission, with a V6, 2,967 cc, 24-valve engine producing maximum power of 231 horsepower (hp) at 6,800 rpm and maximum torque of 284 Newton-meters (Nm).
It can go from zero to 100 kilometers in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed of 227 kph.
The X-Type Estate SE is priced at Rp 710 million (US$77,000). There are two other models, the Classic and Sport.
The Classic has a younger-looking exterior than the luxury- focused SE, which features a more traditional, chrome-enhanced appearance.
Meanwhile, the Sport model is set apart with its body-colored grille and an absence of chrome, larger wheels and lower-profile tires.
There is also a 5-speed manual transmission version and two lower capacity engine options: 2,099 cc and 2,495 cc. All come with a V6 configuration.
The 2.0 liter engine comes with electronic traction control, which uses antilock braking system (ABS) sensors to detect wheel spin and restrict power to either of the front wheels until full adhesion is regained.
Meanwhile, the 2.5 liter and 3.0 liter engines are equipped with the Jaguar Traction all-wheel-drive system, which by default distributes the power 40:60 to the front and rear tires.
But once it senses a difference in grip between the front and rear wheels, it redirects power to achieve optimum traction.
The use of an all-wheel drive system provides better traction and cornering at high speeds.
Standard active safety features include electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and ABS. There is also the option of dynamic stability control (DCS) and emergency brake assist (EBA).
Passive safety features include dual-stage air bags for driver and front passenger, as well as side and curtain airbags; pretensioners for front seat belts; side impact protection bars; and front and rear crumple zones designed to absorb and deflect the force of an impact.
All vehicles are covered by two years of free service and a three-year warranty.
Darwin conceded that the premium car segment commanded only a small portion of the overall Indonesian automotive market.
"Only about 4,000 premium cars were sold last year, which is relatively small compared with last year's total of 483,283 units.
"That's why we are concentrating on after-sales service to maintain our customers," he said.
The company is currently holding a five-day customer service clinic.
Jaguar's regional technical manager for Asia Pacific, Steve Davis, said the clinic represented not only an opportunity to develop Jaguar's Indonesian service team, but also to get first- hand feedback from Indonesian customers.