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The Front Engine: A Century of Innovation in Automotive History
After over a century of innovation, automakers have finally agreed that putting the engine in the front is the way to go. But why did it take so long? Why do most car engines remain in the front, despite the existence of rear-engine vehicles and supercars?
The Debate Over Engine Placement
One question on everyone's mind is: what about cars where you pop the trunk? Porches, Volkswagens, and other models with engines located behind the passenger compartment have been around for decades. What about those cars that feature a mid-mounted engine? And then there are supercars that boast rear-engine configurations.
The Rear Engine Conundrum
Rear engine vehicles represent some of the best-selling and best-performing cars on the market. So, what sets them apart from their front-engine counterparts? The answer lies in the design and functionality of each vehicle. While front-engine cars provide better weight distribution and stability, rear-engine cars offer improved handling and agility.
Why Front-Engine Cars Dominate
So, why did most car engines end up in the front? There are a few reasons for this:
* **Weight Distribution**: Front-engine cars distribute weight more evenly, which improves their overall performance.
* **Stability**: The center of gravity is lower, making it easier to handle sharp turns and sudden maneuvers.
* **Design and Space Constraints**: Some designs simply require the engine to be placed in front. For example, cars with pop-up trunks or unique passenger compartments may not accommodate a mid-mounted engine.
A New Era for Car Enthusiasts
As car enthusiasts, we're eager to explore new ideas and innovative technologies. With the rise of rear-engine vehicles and supercars, it's clear that the automotive industry is evolving. Whether you're a seasoned car enthusiast or just starting your journey, understanding the history and design behind different engine placements can enhance your appreciation for the art of automotive engineering.
Stay Tuned for More
If you're interested in learning more about the world of cars and automotive innovation, be sure to check back soon. Your favorite car expert will be sharing more insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from the automotive world.
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Word-Perv in Residence: The Host's Perspective
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Join the Conversation
What do you think about rear-engine vehicles and supercars? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en(car engine revving)- Cars, trucks, vans,after over a century of innovation,automakers all agree to put theengine in the front.Why do we do this?What about cars where you pop the trunk?Porches, Volkswagens.What about those carswith the engines in the middle?What about super cars?Rear engine vehicles representsome of the best sellingand best performing cars out there.So, I have to ask the question:Why are most car engines in the front?Buckle up, babe.(laughs) It's Wheelhouse time.Thanks to Blinkist forsponsoring today's episode.If you know me, you know I love to read.I'm a registered word-perv.When I was in college,sometimes I was so busyI couldn't find the timeto read an entire book.I'm still just as busy.Which is why I now use the Blinkist app.Blinkist summarizes and condenses booksinto just 15 minuteversions that you can reador listen to, podcast style.With over 3000 nonfiction titles,there's something for everyone.Which is why there are more than12 million active Blinkist users.That's awesome.I'm on a self improvement kick lately,so I've been reading the insights on bookslike "The 7 Habits ofHighly Effective People",and "The 5 AM Club".I still gotta work on the 5 AM part,I get up at eight.And I love how concise the summaries areand the best part, thesetitles are availableon, or offline.The first 100 peopleto click the link beloware gonna get unlimited accessfor one week to try it out.You also get 25% off if youwant the full membership.That's a great deal.Support the companiesthat help support Donut.Thank you, Blinkist forsponsoring this episode.The answer is more ofa story than an answer.It's a world ride to automotive history.From Germany to Detroit,to rough (beep) Canada.But first, if you wantthe short boring answer,here it is:Front engine front wheel drive vehiclesare more forgiving thesteer since the weightof the engine is over the front wheels.That gives them more traction.That means it's easier foryour less talented driversto not spin out on icy roads.It's also more economicalto cool the engineif it's in the front.So, it's cheaper to manufacture.Thanks for watching, like and subscribe.Thanks.If you're still here, thatmeans you want the good answer.Come with me.Let's go back in time.(old school upbeat music)In the 19th century,most horseless carriageshad rear mounted engines withrear wheel drive.In 1895, French automaker Panhard,made the first front mountedengine with rear wheel drive.To accomplish this, theyinvented the modern transmission.This design was superiorto rear mounted designs at the time,because it distributed the weight evenlybetween the front and rear wheels,which improved the handlingand gave the front wheels more traction.I'm not sure how much handling is requiredwhen you're travelingat the speed of smell,but it was a huge accomplishment.Front engine rear wheeldrive became the standardwith Ford cranking out16,500,000 model t'sfrom 1908 to 1927,and all other car makers followed suit.In 1934, Mercedes Benzlooked at engine placementand asked a very German question:"Why don't we try it in the trunk ya?"This rear end freak fest,produced the model 130h.Czech manufacturer Tatra, followed suitand started producing rear engine cars.The rear engine design race peak in 1938,when Volkswagen released the Beetle,designed by Ferdinand Porsche.Yeah, that Porsche.Tatra immediately sued VW,due to the Beetles similarityto Tatra's rear engine V570 and 97.VW was able to avoid a lawsuitby Germany invaded Czechoslovakia.They did wind up paying asettlement after the war though,remember guys, war can'tsolve all your problems.The VW Beetle was cheap and economical.The original Beetle got32 miles to the gallonand sold like toilet paperin a quarantine, nope (beep).The original Beetles got32 miles to the gallonand sold like AnimalCrossing in a pandemic.After the success of the Beetle,Everybody was dabblingwith back row bangers.Rear engine, rear wheel drive carswere great for acceleration,since the engine weight isright on the rear tires.The main problem though, is oversteer.Since all the weight is in the back,tight turns tend to make therear of the car swing aroundin a fashion some refer to as (beep) dude.Many tried, but few succeededin making a rear engine,rear wheel drive vehiclethat handled well.They accelerate like a dragsterand kind of handle like a dragster.The first real success in that departmentwas the Porsche 911.Yes, that Porsche.The 911 came out in 1964with a flat 16 pack.And they got around the oversteerissue by keeping the carlow and the wheelbaseshorter than the Beetle.That's right, sure.Some other popular rearengine vehicles includethe DeLorean DMC 12and the Alpine a110.Not surprisingly, thesecars are two-door coupes.Rear engine, rear wheel drive cars,pretty much had to be until the Corvair.(old school upbeat music)It's the only American carwith an air-cooled rear engine.And engine that sat behind the rear tiresmeant no floor bump to getin the way of your feet.The only problem though, they'vehad a pretty long wheelbasefor rear engine parts.108 inches, 20 inches longer than the 911.Nevertheless, they sold likebeef cakes laced with gravy.One buyer was a young politicianby the name Ralph Nader.After driving the car, he became concernedabout the car's handling ability.He published the book "Unsafeat any speed" in 1965.The book scrutinized theentire automotive industry,but was especiallycritical of the Corvair,calling it, I quote, "one car accident".Most people do Leave a bad yelp review,but that's not Nader's style baby,Nader gang. (laughs)According to the book, The Corvair'sswing axle rear suspensionwould cause the rear tiresto quote, tuck-under around turns,which would cause the car to drift.And since the front suspensionhad no anti roll bar,the Corvair would be prone to rollovers,a sedan with rollovers.That's insane.By the time the book came out,Chevy had already redesigned the Corvairwith a four wheel independent suspension,but it was too late."Unsafe at any speed" was a bombshelland people took notice.Corvair sales were cut in half, in 1966.People were afraid to buy rear engine carsthat were Unsafe at any speed.I don't blame them.Chevy decided to move onand production after the 1969 model year.Nice.And Ralph Nader wenton to run for presidentlike a million times.Nader gang.In the meantime, automakers kept messingwith front engine layouts.The British Motor Corporationasked a very British question."Why don't we make ourautomobiles as small as possible?"So we stay out of other people's awaybecause we're polite andmeek and love to cue (beep)."That's my British accent, I'm sorry.That's right.I'm talking about the minidesigner Alec Issigonis,had the bright ideaof engineering thetransmission into the oil sump,flipping the engine around tominimize the engine footprint,so you could squeeze it under a hood,that was a little over four feet wide.The engine could only make 33 horsepower,but since the car was so tiny and light,it was enough power for the Brits.I mean, I really want one of these things.Transverse engines allowedthe hood to be shortenedand per passenger spaceto be maximized inside.Plenty of companies from Fiat, Volvoto even Land Rover use transverse engines,but none as awesomely asa 1965 Lamborghini Miura,which use a B12 transverse enginemid mounted behind the two seats.That's right.The transverse engine went from this,(car engine revving)to this, in six years.Anyway, back in Detroit,the big three we're focusingon the front engine,rear wheel drive layout,producing some cars,you might have heardthem around like Mustang,Camaro, Firebird, the Charger, et cetera.With the engine in thefront, there was no dangerof oversteer unlessyou push that gas baby.That's what I'm talking about.They actually have a bit of understeer,but the engine weight improvesthe front tire tractionso it's easier for youraverage driver to corner.It's also cheaper andeasier to put a radiatorin the front of the car,and running hoses all the way to the backsucks from a design efficiencyand maintenance standpoint.It makes sense to haveyour radiator enginein the same place.Speaking of understeer,shout out to my Miata gang.Speaking of which, checkout our new show "Money Pit"Zeck job does that exact thing to a Miata.I can't wait to see this thing finished.I can't wait to drive it.Hopefully he lets me (beep).Thus began the muscle car era,with the big three and AMC trying to cramas many horsepowers aspossible into a car.But when you want morehorsies that usuallymeans a bigger, heavier engine.As engines got beefier.You got a little more powermo toke mo took, yeah.All right, we'll keep that.But less weight on theback wheels which decreasesrear wheel traction and acceleration.To keep some weight on the back tires,you have to move the engine further backand you push the passengers backtowards the rear axleand you're left with an enormous hood.I'm talking 80s Camaro, 70s Firebird,70s Chargers, pretty muchevery muscle car ever.They got some big (beep) long (beep).If you push the engine far enough back,you actually get a front-mid engine car.If the engine is between thefront axle and the passengercompartment, it's technically mid-engine,but front mid-engine.Eventually you're goingto say enough is enough.If you're alreadysacrificing passenger areaand want to maximize power and handling,you have to rethink engine placement.Take the Corvette, forexample, the C7 Corvettewas basically the best frontengine rear wheel drive carthat Chevy could design.But this year, they're finally deliveringthe mid-engine Corvette.It's called the CA.Not only does it offer upto 700 horsepower, rumored,it's going to be the besthandling Corvette ever.Why does moving the Corvettes engine back,improve handling?With the engine behindthe two front seats,but in front of the rearaxle, the Corvette centerof gravity is in the middle of the car,which means a lowerpolar moment of inertia.I'm sorry, did you think you'regetting through this withoutlearning some rotational dynamics?You're in the science zone (beep).(bright upbeat music)Alright, the polar moment of inertia.Think about a figure skater spinning.When they pull their armsin, they spin quicker.Think about, think about yousitting in an officechair spinning around,when you pull your armsin you speak faster,and if you can put your arms and legs outyou spin slower.Why is that?(gentle upbeat music)The same principle applies to cars.If your car's center ofmass is centrally located,it can change directionquickly and with less effort.Amid the engine layoutalso improves braking.With the weight of theengine distributed evenlyacross all four tires, allfour brakes help equally.(beep) That's why mid engine vehiclesare the best handling, most expensivetwo-seat vehicles on the planet.Here you've BMW IA's, it's your Audi R8's,it's a Porsche Cayman's, mostFerrari's and Lamborghini's,McLaren's lotus's, or is it low tide?No, no.Anyway, to sum it up, let's run downthe pros and cons of each engine location.Rear engine, they got great acceleration,but there's less weighton the front tires.You're more likely to Tokyo Drift,if you don't know what you're doing.Mid-engine, awesome handling and brakingbut no room for extrapassengers or luggage.And generally they're expensive to ship.Front engine, they're proneto a bit of understeer,but maximum traction on the front tires.They're spacious andthey're cheap to build.Automakers have proventhat, they can make rearand mid-engine designs work super well.But most customers want areal second row of seatsand they generally don'tneed all that performancefor driving the children to Chili's.They offer a cheaper, more spaciousfront engine car that's good enough.You know what, money talks?The front engine cars haveone, at least for now.I want to hear from you.What are your experienceswith driving rear engine cars?Have you ever driven anexotic with a mid-engine?Do you have an engineplacement preference?Does anyone have a CA I can borrow?Hey, thanks for watching.I really hope you're gettingthrough quarantine all right.If this video looks a little less good,that's because I filmed it in my apartmenton the webcam, this quarantinething has been crazy.I'm gonna be totally honest with you guys,it's weird and lonely for me toobut we're going to doour best here at Donutto keep cranking out thecontent for you guys,keeping minds off things,'cause you know what,that's my purpose in my faceto keep the positivity up,keep it optimistic, youhave a lot of choicesout there on what to watch.And thank you for choosing Donut.Follow Donut on social media @donutmediaif you haven't already.Check out our secondchannel Donut Podcasts,follow me on Instagram @NolanjSykes,and same thing on Twitter.Be kind, let's look out for each other.I'll see you next time.Oh man, I need to get more goldfish.
