• 37 Posts
  • 311 Comments
Joined 1 year ago
Cake day: July 5th, 2023
  • cosmicrookie@lemmy.worldtoAsklemmy@lemmy.ml•Engine placement in cars
    1·
    21 days ago

    That is interesting!

    I’d have expected that adding weight on the axle that has drive would improve traction (but affect steering negatively)

    Also i guess that the answer does not take into account who uses the car or when. I guess in racing, awd would be awesome if it wasn’t too heavy, complicated and used a lot of fuel

  • cosmicrookie@lemmy.worldtoAsklemmy@lemmy.ml•Engine placement in cars
    416·
    21 days ago

    Just pasting an AI answer here. Thought it could be interesting to compare with the actual answers real people share:

    Okay, let’s examine the available information to address your questions:

    The placement of the engine in a car (front, mid, or rear) has various advantages and disadvantages:

    Front-engine cars:

    • Advantages include good traction, efficient energy transfer, and more cabin space since the engine is not in the cabin. [1]
    • Disadvantages include less-than-optimal weight distribution, which can affect handling and performance. [1]

    Mid-engine cars:

    • Advantages include excellent stability and handling due to the central weight distribution. [2][3]
    • Disadvantages include less cabin space, more complex design, and difficulty in regaining control if the car starts to spin. [4]

    Rear-engine cars:

    • Advantages include excellent traction and handling, especially in snow and ice conditions, due to the weight distribution. [5][3]
    • Disadvantages include less stability and the engine being in the rear can make the car harder to control. [5]

    As for why not every car has full-wheel drive (AWD), the main reasons are:

    Cost - AWD systems add complexity and cost to a vehicle, making them more expensive to manufacture and purchase.[6]
Weight - AWD components add significant weight to a vehicle, reducing fuel efficiency.[6]
Packaging - Accommodating an AWD system can be challenging in terms of vehicle design and interior space.[6]

    So in summary, the engine placement and drivetrain configuration involve trade-offs between performance, handling, cost, and packaging that automakers must balance based on the target market and intended use of the vehicle.