subaru gets it, will Mitsu?

[Virtual Bob]

> Yup I was surprised to see that too. But the thing is that since the car is
> based on a European Ford Mondeo they could not put a rear wheel drive in it
> and since the jag people did not wanna put a front wheel drive in the Jag
> they decided for the AWD.

Ford/Jag was pondering whether they should have a stripped-out model but
decided not to. They said having stripped out models available may worsen
resale value for this whole (new) model range, and second they said study
they've done show people expect Jag to be upscale marque. So in the end
they decided to skip the FWD and go AWD. But they say (in the same
magazine interview) don't rule out a cheapter, FWD X-type in the future.
It may show up along the way if sales are good.

Anyway, Jag X-type has transverse engine layout -- dictated by the Mondeo
heritage. The advantage over Audi is weight is more even front-aft as the
engine can sit more close to the front axle.