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Why do most cars have the engine in the front?
Placing the engine above the front axle gives the most direct power output at the shortest distance to the wheels. Engines — and all their related components — are extremely heavy, so positioning it near the actively driven wheels allows the car to handle that weight better and increase traction.
Why are mid-engine cars better?
Improved Traction – With the mid-engine location, more weight is placed over the rear tires. This, in turn, gives them more traction while also helping to decrease the chances of the vehicle going into a skid while braking. This is achieved more easily due to the vehicle’s mid-engine design.
What’s the difference between a front-engine and rear-engine car?
Front-engine cars also lose a bit of braking capacity because the car’s weight shifts forward as the car decelerates, giving it extra momentum in the unwanted direction. A rear-mounted engine basically means that the engine is located in what we think of as the trunk area.
What determines the engine placement in a car?
Engine placement tends to correspond to how the rest of the car is configured — specifically, which wheels drive the car. (This connection is strong, but not completely foolproof — 4-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars are notable and fairly common exceptions).
Why do cars have mid-mounted engines on the rear wheels?
That’s because, in addition to a mid-mounted engine’s proximity to the rear wheels, this design also allows the car to achieve ideal weight distribution, center of gravity and traction. When the car’s weight is centered, the wheels won’t be thrown off balance by having to cope with extra weight, and the car can be steered with more precision.
Is complexity an asset or a hindrance to auto engineers?
But when complexity is an asset — such as in high-performance cars — auto engineers do have other options. Engine placement tends to correspond to how the rest of the car is configured — specifically, which wheels drive the car.