http://aronline.co.uk/index.htm?x400storyf.htm

A nice insiders read on the x type and the many decisions and factors that went into building the car.

If only they made that X Type R

 

Thanks for the link!

 

The X-Type R Supercharged would have never worked, as we all know the TRANSFER CASE hardly holds up to our meager 227hp.
I'm curious, anyone know what the AWD setup is like on the MazdaSpeed6? It has 270hp from the factory and appears to be reliable. Since the standard 3.0L Mazda6 is essentially the same as the X-type, perhaps some ingenuity looking into the Mazdaspeed6 might give us clues to a solution other than constantly swapping gear oil....

 

They would have needed to redesign the transfer case. Would have been possible.

 

The early transfer cases were seemingly weaker than the 04+. I personally haven't seen any examples of later transfer cases eating themselves.
Like aluni alluded to, a redesign would have been feasible if Jag had wanted to go that route.
I think a problem with the MS6 transfer case would be some compatibility due the MS6 using a different engine - turbo I4 vs the Duratec V6.

 

Fascinating read. Interesting to note that at the time they designed it the performance was "class leading". My have times changed. I still love the look of the car, but it would have been interesting to see what might have happend had they continued to develop it. Hard to believe that with the A Team they had doing all teh development that they missed some things like the early transmission and transfer case issues and the rust. Once the bad rap got out there they didn't seem to have the corporate will to counter that bad first impression the the buying public. Such a shame. On the other hand, they can now be had for a song and the later models seem to be very reliable. l

 

The 2007 X Type certainly had better handling, power and pick up than my 2007 C280 4 Matic. I think for this class they needed a wagon, coupe and the super charged versions by 2005 to keep the momentum. 2004 was a good year for them and they needed to up the game, instead to pulling back.

 

It also seems precarious to me why Ford did not utilize the AWD technology in the Volvo S60 R which had 300hp and a fantastic AWD system. As well as a much better auto-shifter than the phlegmatic J-Gate in the X-Type....

 

Will the new Ford V6 motor in the Mustang thats putting out like 345hp be an option for the xtype? nice find lots of info in article!

 

I trust next gen X Type will be using genuine Jag engine and mechanics , may be this will dramatically soar up the price but it will worth every $

 

This makes me like my x type even more. I now know how it evolved. I hope they don't let it fade away like that. A new upgraded model is needed.

 

"The transfer case was rather small, in part due to packaging constraints as well as weight, and had a capacity of just 0.5 litres of fluid. In service, this component would prove to be the X-Type's weakest link. This would make the system susceptible to failure if it should be allowed to leak even a little, but was deemed adequate for life of a vehicle"

Was this written in hindsight or circa 2003?

 

I would guess it was written around 2009 based on the tone of the wordings. I wonder, though, what they considered "life of a vehicle"? Also, it makes it sound like there would be problems only if there was a leak.

 

The new 3.7 v6 in the Mustang/Edge sport puts out 305hp

The ecoboost 3.5 v6 puts out 365 in the SHO and MKS with the turbos. This motor may work with some fabrication since its mated to AWD already. Swap in the entire drivetrain and it would breed new life to a X-Type.

 

That would be A LOT of work and $$$ as both of those engines are larger than the 3L duratec already in the X-Type. Plus the entire AWD system is considerably larger as well. It would probably be cheaper to build a race spec transfer case and supercharge the existing 3L...I'll let you know much mine comes out to.