Front engines, middle engines and rear engines — what’s the difference? Does the location of your car’s engine affect its performance, or is it just a design feature that certain manufacturers are partial to? The following is a quick guide to educate you on the ways front, midle and rear engine placement impacts your vehicle’s power and performance:
What Are Engine Placements?
Engineers will either design the car so that the engine is placed in the front, middle or rear.
Front Engine Placements: Front engine placement is most common today. The engine rests underneath the hood and either in front or behind the front axle line. Most cars on the road today have a front engine placement.
Middle Engine Placement: A middle engine placement in a vehicle finds the engine directly behind the driver but in front of the rear axle. Several high-profile vehicles have this placement, including the Ferrari 488 and the Porsche Cayman.
Rear Engine Placement: The rear engine placement is opposite of the front engine placement — it sits behind the rear axle at the back of the car and the truck space is located in the front of the vehicle. Only a few vehicles nowadays have a rear engine placement, such as older models of the Porsche 911.
Does Engine Placement Affect Performance?
Yes, engine placement does impact vehicle performance. Each configuration serves a specific purpose. The front engine placement is most common because it provides stability and allows for passenger rear seating.
Middle and rear engine placements offer better handling than front engine placements. Middle engine placements provide even weight distribution and a great center of gravity. Rear engine placements have great handling, acceleration and braking, but they are not as easy to drive as cars with front engine placements.
If you’re looking for a safe, reliable vehicle that offers reasonable performance with easy handling, a front engine placement is best. However, if speed is what you’re after, a middle engine placement is ideal. Rear engine placement vehicles may present a challenge to most drivers, but the experienced driver may enjoy the better performance and traction it has to offer.
Looking for a new or preowned vehicle that offers the performance you need for the price you want? Visit Valley Automall today and let our experts help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Contact us today at 702-570-2257 to learn more about the front, middle and rear engine placement vehicles available in our inventory.