#The X Department
##Overview
The X Department is Erin’s in-house tuning company. They are given the job of designing sporty trims for Erin’s models, and often design their own engines (these are branded as ‘XTune’ engines). Occasionally, the department also exclusively designs and manufacturers its own vehicles. The Department gets exclusive access to the development of Erin’s new vehicles, to aid them with designing their sportier trims. The X Department has its own separate facility at Erin’s main factory, as well as secretive R&D facility with race track and proving ground. X Department trims are simply named ‘X’.
##History
The X Department traces its roots back to Erin’s early racing days, before they became a proper car manufacturer. The team’s R&D division was seperated out during 1952/3 to give them more room to work in, as well as being given their own budget. From this, they developed new racing cars as well as prototypes of vehicles and engines.
When Erin became a proper manafacturer in 1959, the division continued to work as normal, but soon began to experiment with left over chassis’ and parts from the production line. This soon led to them tuning Erin’s production vehicles, and the bosses began to take notice.
In 1962, the division suggested developing some kind of one off sports version of the Mk 1 Merna, which would be tuned and developed by them. This would later become the Merna Sport, their ‘breakthrough vehicle’. This nippy, tightened version of the standard car sold fairly well, and the success prompted Erin to integrate the division into the main company.
Needing a brand, they named themselves ‘The X Department’, with the ‘X’ being short for ‘Experimental’.
By 1970, The X Department had grown vastly, and was now making sports trims of almost all of Erin’s models. Around this time, they were merged with Erin’s racing division, so’s that the team could make the most of their facilities and expertise.
Since then, the Department has been an integral part of the company, producing its most successful sports car the Scarlet, including a number of special ‘XR’ trim vehicles that attempt to push the road-going-racecar boundary as far as it can go.
##Key Models
Some of the Department’s greatest hits.
1968 Erin Lira - Designed exclusivley by the X Department, this was their first solo outing. Super lightweight and plenty of power.
1981 Erin Nasaro X - Erin’s comeback car was a mid-engined masterpiece, and the X trim introduced the 3.3l V6; the definitive X Department engine.
If this car were a song, it’d be Life’s What You Make It by Talk Talk
1986 Erin Scarlet X - The original Scarlet, in all its eighties glory. Pop-up headlights, black plastic, and stats to make a 911 weep.
1992 Erin Merna XR - A blend of the Merna BTCC and WRC car, with polymer body panels and 233 bhp. What could possibly be madder?
1996 Erin Scarlet X - Regarded as one of Erin’s greatest cars ever. The definitive drivers car, suited to every road and phenomenal in every way.
1996 Erin Berlose X-AllDrive - An all wheel drive super saloon, with the same 3.8l V8 as the Scarlet under the bonnet. The results were profound, to say the least.
2008 Erin Tauga X-AllDrive - Focused, precise and unbelievably fast; an AWD super saloon for the 21st century.
2015 Erin Nardella X - A new take on the small sports car, with a focus on the environment and simplicity.
2016 Erin Scarlet Mk 4 - The Scarlet is back, and better than ever before. Bold new styling, groundbreaking engineering and unbelievable performance.
2016 Erin Tauga SB-X - The stylish Shooting Brake estate version of the Tauga, fitted with AWD and the latest 3.3l V6.
