MSX X820 Series

The X820 is the second generation of the MSX XC8 and XT8 range, introduced in 2012 assembled in Adelaide, Tennessee and Derbyshire. It was sold between 2012 and 2021 alongside the outgoing X818 XC8 Classic and later the new X821

Development
The X820 was developed by MSX 4x4 as a replacement for the X817 series XC8 and XT8. When work on the X820 started, the then new X815 was a facelift of a 28 year old design, and by the time it was released in 2012, it had turned 34. Keeping enthusiasts of this long standing vehicle happy while complying with modern safety standards was a key part of the X820's objectives. The other main objective was to create a car that could compete with than broad range of cars including the 79 and 200 series Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rover Defender and Discovery, Mercedes Benz G Class, Ford F150 and Jeep Wrangler. This was achieved by producing a wider range of suspension, drivetrain, body and wheelbase options than those offered by the first generation.

Over its 11 year production run, X820 has been offered with 13 engine options. The initial offerings were a mix of new engines and carryovers from the X818. The three carryover engines were designed for light commercial applications and made up the bulk of XC8 long wheelbase XT8 CX and Bushranger sales. The three new engine came from MSX's passenger car range and were aimed primarily at buyers of luxury and short wheelbase versions of the XT8.

The 2.5L twin turbo petrol inline 6 is the only engine to have been sold for the entire lifespan of the X820. The 5.0L NA and 4.0L twin turbo V8s were available from launch but was discontinued in 2020. The 5.0L was carried over from the X818 to appease risk-averse buyers in the petrol-dominated North American market, and was supposed to be phased out as buyers migrated over to the 2.5 or 4.0L twin-turbo alternatives but as people kept buying it, MSX kept building it.

Bluetorque HD four, six and eight cylinder turbo diesel engines were introduced in 2016, replacing all existing diesels, aside from the the LS and LSE's triple turbo sixes. The 5.7L twin turbo V8 diesel arrived in 2017. The 3.6L triple turbo diesel was discontinued later in 2017, along with the MSX/R ATS and it's 5.9L supercharged petrol V8.

Replacement
In 2020, MSX began replacing the X820 with the X821. The X820 XT8 LS and LSE will remain in production until the new X830 arrives in 2021. Engine options will be reduced to the 2.5L twin turbo petrol I6, and 5.7L twin turbo diesel V8, mated to an 8 speed auto. Buyers in some countries such as Australia will receive the 4.2L turbo diesel I6 in place of the petrol I6. Front live axle and rear leaf spring suspension options were discontinued on the X820 for 2020.

The X830 will be aimed more directly at the 300 Series Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol/Armada, L663 Land Rover Defender, and Jeep Wagoneer.

Body styles
XT8 XC8
 * Wagon
 * Convertible
 * Cab chassis
 * Pick up
 * Dual cab
 * Hard top troop-carrier (HTTC)

Specification levels

 * CX
 * Bushranger
 * Bushranger Sport
 * 500 (XC8 only)
 * LS (XT8 LWB only)
 * LSE (XT8 LWB only)
 * MSX/R ATS

2012-2016

 * 2.3L Bluetorque CTDI I4: 190hp/142kW@4200rpm, 373Nm@1900-3800rpm
 * 3.2L Cobra D6 turbo diesel I6: 160kW@4100rpm, 560Nm@2150rpm
 * 4.0L Cobra D6 turbo diesel I6: 177kW@4100rpm, 645Nm@2000rpm

2012-2020

 * 5.0L Tigersnake V8: 320hp/239kW@6100rpm, 507Nm@2400rpm
 * 4.0L Peregrine twin turbo V8: 434hp/319kW@6200rpm, 569Nm@2900rpm

2012-2021

 * 2.5L Bluetongue SB6 I6: 316hp/236kW@6200rpm, 440Nm@2900-5100rpm

2014-2017

 * 3.6L Bluetorque 3CTDI I6: 412hp/307kW@4500rpm, 795Nm@1850-3000rpm
 * 5.9L Tigersnake S/C V8: 638hp/469kW@6400rpm, 687Nm@2900-4500rpm

2014-2020

 * 3.0L Bluetorque 3CTDI I6: 368hp/271kW@4500rpm, 715Nm@1900-3000rpm

2016-2020

 * 2.8L Bluetorque HD CTDI I4: 195hp/145kW@3800rpm, 500Nm@1900-3800rpm
 * 4.2L Bluetorque HD CTDI I6: 254hp/185kW@3500rpm, 675Nm@1850-3400rpm
 * 5.0L Bluetorque HD CTDI V8: 272hp/204kW@3500rpm, 725Nm@1750-3300rpm

2017-2021

 * 5.7L Bluetorque HD 2CTDI V8: 410hp/305kW@4100-4500rpm and 950Nm@1900-3000rpm.

2020-2021

 * 4.2L Bluetorque HD CTDI I6: 262hp/195kW@3500rpm, 675Nm@1800-3400rpm