Powertrain layout

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The powertrain layout of a motorised vehicle such as a car is often defined by the location of the engine or motors and the drive wheels. Layouts can roughly be divided into three categories: front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). Many different combinations of engine location and driven wheels are found in practice, and the location of each is dependent on the application for which the vehicle will be used.

The powertrain layout of a motorised vehicle such as a car is often defined by the location of the engine or motors and the drive wheels. Layouts can roughly be divided into three categories: front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). Many different combinations of engine location and driven wheels are found in practice, and the location of each is dependent on the application for which the vehicle will be used.

Front-engine, front-wheel drive

The front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (abbreviated as FF layout) places both the internal combustion engine and driven wheels at the front of the vehicle. This is the most common layout for cars since the late 20th century.

Rear-engine, front-wheel drive

A rear-engine, front-wheel-drive layout is one in which the engine is between or behind the rear wheels, and drives the front wheels via a driveshaft, the complete reverse of a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle layout. This layout has only been used on prototype and concept cars.

See also

Automobile handling Vehicle category

References

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1351643983 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.

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