Is there a benefit to an AWD system without a transfer case?
For example, the Audi Quattro AWD system appears to direct power to the front wheels directly from the transmission.
Whereas the Jaguar AWD system pictured makes use of a transfer case.
Aside from a hump inside the cabin floor, is there a downside to having a transfer case? Is an AWD system without the transfer case superior in any objective measure since the AWD system is internal and conceived at the time of design rather than bolted on later? This may include benefits in size, balance, performance, front-rear drive split, reliability, efficiency, etc.
For example, it seems to be that one of the negatives of the Quattro design shown is that the absence of the transfer case means the front driveshaft must pass through the transmission, pushing the engine ahead of the wheels and yielding a nose-heavy car, which may not be desirable for handling. However, the AWD components are integrated in the transmission possibly yielding more legroom in the cabin.
Here, Subaru has offered some of the pros and cons of the different layouts as part of a promotion for their system: