A transverse engine has the crankshaft positioned from right to left in the frame, allowing for more space inside the vehicle. The subassembly contains the engine, transmission, and front suspension system, but repairs can be difficult. The design offers advantages in safety and weight distribution, creating a safer passenger compartment. Sports cars have implemented transverse placement in a mid-engine layout for better balance and traction.
A transverse engine is an engine with the crankshaft sitting in the frame from right to left. The traditional engine has the crankshaft positioned from front to back in the frame. Most common front wheel drive vehicles employ a transverse placement of the engine within the chassis. The design of this engine allows car manufacturers to design additional space inside the vehicle.
Typical transverse engine vehicle construction includes a subassembly that is installed from the underside of the vehicle. This subassembly contains both the transverse engine and transmission, as well as the entire front suspension system. Due to engine clearance limitations, many of the engine components must be attached to the engine prior to placement within the chassis.
Unfortunately, repairs to many of the transverse engine components, such as the water pump, are only possible from the underside of the vehicle with the vehicle on a lift or lift. This makes it difficult for the shade tree mechanic to carry out repairs on the vehicle without the help of a well-equipped shop. Despite this, the advantages in safety and weight distribution make the transverse engine a design that won’t be superseded anytime soon.
The vehicle chassis sub-assembly allows it to be designed with a high safety factor compared to complete chassis designs. In the event of a frontal impact, the vehicle consisting of a frontal subassembly is less likely to injure the occupants. The subassembly design is designed to separate and deflect under the occupant’s cabin, creating a safer passenger compartment.
Vehicles with full frame rails and longitudinally mounted engines or engines located between the frame rails with the crankshaft facing forward and aft, as in most typical rear-wheel drive vehicles, inflict more injuries to passengers during an impact front due to reduced crumple zones. . This design feature eliminates much of the energy absorbing room between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.
With the space savings offered by the transverse engine layout, some of the world’s most powerful sports cars have implemented transverse placement in a mid-engine layout. This design not only takes advantage of the additional passenger space inside the vehicle’s cabin, but also takes advantage of a better front-to-rear weight ratio, helping to better balance the vehicle. This increase in more positive balance characteristics allows the vehicle to make better use of engine power without interrupting traction.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
