The Jaguar X-Type was originally introduced back in 2001 and had an eight year stint in production before it was mothballed.

The car itself is a four-door saloon which is usually referred to as part of the compact executive class, putting it in the same league as something like the BMW 3 series.

Many people found it difficult to get over the fact that the X-Type shares about a fifth of its elements with the Ford Mondeo platform, which has been somewhat damaging to its reputation. However, this ignores the fact that many other prestige models use aspects of much more humble cars.

Historians will note that the X-Type was the first Jaguar in 46 years to actually attempt to take on the compact executive class and while it did not quite manage to match up to its rivals in terms of sales, it did at least add a dash of Britishness to the American underpinnings.

When the X-Type first emerged it was available with either a 2.5 litre or 3.0 litre V6 engine, along with 4WD as standard on all models.

Two-wheel drive models arrived in 2003, along with the first diesel engines for the range. This was the year in which Jaguar also added an entry-level model with a 2.0 litre V6 petrol engine to the mix in order to expand the appeal of the X-Type.

By 2004 the X-Type was ready to receive its first estate version, which was designed by Ian Callum and would be classed as Jaguar's second ever estate model.

A number of aesthetic updates were applied to the X-Type over the years, most notably in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

While the range ended production in 2009, it seems that Jaguar is not completely out of the compact executive car market.

It has found real success with its XF range and in 2011 said that it would eventually be looking to replace the X-Type with a model that drew from its more modern vehicles.

It will be interesting to see how the X-Type is perceived in years to come, as often there are cars which do not get the appreciation they deserve until much time has passed.