The Ford Mondeo sedan was for the European market. Travel to the lands of the United States and North American and you would find the Ford Contour. The Ford Contour would be the Ford Mondeos American counterpart. This sedan was actually sold by the Ford Motor Company starting from 1995 up until 2000. Fact is, this vehicle actually was the basis for building a version of this under the Mercury brand. And the result came to be the Mercury Mystique and later on became the Mercury Cougar. The Ford Contour was found in the Ford Motor Companys line up filling the niche between the Ford Escort and the Ford Taurus.

The Ford Contour has a DOHC V6 engine with 24 valves. It has an aluminum block and aluminum heads. This has a displacement of 155 cubic inches. It can produce some 170 units of bhp at 6250 rpm, and 165 pound feet at 4250 rpm. It has also been equipped with a five speed manual transmission system. The wheelbase of the Ford Contour measures 106.5 inches, 183.9 inches in length and has a curb weight of 2910 pounds.

From 1995 to 1996, the Ford Contour came to be body colored. The front seats were recessed to the back so as to improve rear seat leg room. This is compared to the first wave of Ford Contours that entered the American automobile market. After a year, changes were still done. Traction control no longer was given as an option. The remote fuel door release feature was deleted and the fuel door that this batch held had a flanged opening. Made available were an interior trunk light, a tilt steering wheel, and a power antenna. In 1997 to 1998, the Ford Contours that entered the streets sported front and rear end designs that were new. There were new alloy wheel designs. The sail panels on the rear door windows were now smooth and held the word Contour emblazoned on it.

As per the last years of the Ford Contour, it still continually received changes. In 1998 to 1999, the Ford Contour deleted one of its trim levels. There was a clock in radio available. There were also some color revisions. The rear window and the brake light designs had changed. For Canada, this was the last year of the Ford Contour. In the United States, 2000 was the last year for the vehicle.

Built on a modified version of the Ford CD 132 platform, the Jaguar X Type is considered to be just another version of the Ford Mondeo. Take away the badge and the name from the Ford Mondeo and put in Jaguar badges, you would be getting the the Jaguar X Type. In fact the platform which it was built on was just a modified version of the Ford CDW 27 platform which is what the Ford Mondeo uses. Production for this vehicle has started since 2001 and still continue up at present. The Jaguar X Type is one of the smallest of the brands saloon cars. This was actually built so as to take part of the success that the Jaguar S Type has been reaping in.

Classic. That is what best describes the Jaguar X Type. Yet, the power, the delivery, and the performance is very much high technology and very modern. This vehicle has also been the vehicle that has made many firsts for the Jaguar brand. It was the first Jaguar to have an all wheel drive system. It also was the brands first entry to the mid sized luxury sports car category.

This vehicle has been crafted and manufactured with a couple of trim levels made available. Of course, each of these trim levels come with certain amenities and features that are unique to the others.

The Jaguar X Type 3.0 could be yours if you have some 33,995 to spend. It is said to be a luxurious departure from the typical sports sedans. It holds a 227 horsepower 3.0 liter V6 engine and has a five speed automatic transmission. The trim on its console and doors are made up of Bronze Sapele wood veneer trim. It has a steering wheel wrapped in leather, and the same goes to its steering wheel. For 36,295, you can own the Jaguar X Type Sport. It has an aggressive styling and holds a sport tuned suspension. As per the Jaguar X Type VDP Edition, you can have this for 35,945. Indeed, this vehicle is known to be an elegant one. It has rain sensing wipers as well as a memory function on the drivers seat and door mirrors, heated seats, and a trip computer. As per the Jaguar X Type Sportwagon, it is considered to be the most unique and very much practical sportwagon in the auto market. For 36,995, you can own this one. It has a one touch power tilt and slide glass moonroof with manual sunshade as well as fixed silver roof rails.