MORE four-wheel drive models could soon be joining the fast-expanding range of Jaguar cars being lined up to win greater success in Europe's corporate markets. The latest trend in high performance engineering is to form part of top-level talks on the company's long-term plans for growth, it was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.

Jaguar Cars chairman Dr Wolfgang Reitzle told Fleet NewsNet: 'Our all-wheel-drive X-type is all about providing a driving experience that delivers more satisfaction than the driver would expect. It is an interesting solution that could well lead to other developments.'

Asked if the car's powertrain could be adapted for use in other products, he replied: 'Why not? More people are getting interested in this kind of equipment to enhance their driving pleasure. We will be discussing the idea in detail toward the end of this year as we look to our activities in the future. We will also be examining the viability of an estate version of the X-type - although this does not figure in our planning at the present time.'

Reitzle described the compact four-door rival to the Mercedes-Benz C-class and BMW's 3-series as the product destined to make or break the manufacturer. The X-type will go on sale on May 23 with prices starting at £22,000 for the 2.5-litre and rising to £26,250 for the range-topping 3.0-itre SE.