Longitudinal engine facts for kids
A longitudinal engine is a type of engine found in cars and other vehicles. It's placed so that its main spinning part, called the crankshaft, points from the front of the car to the back. Think of it like a long hot dog pointing forward.
This design is very common in vehicles where the engine powers the rear wheels, known as rear-wheel drive cars. In these cars, the engine's crankshaft lines up with the car's direction of travel. However, many newer cars that power their front wheels, called front-wheel drive vehicles, often use a different setup called a transverse engine.
Where Are Longitudinal Engines Placed?
Engines can be put in different spots inside a car. For longitudinal engines, there are three main places they might be found:
- Front-mounted engine: This is the most common spot. The engine sits under the hood, right over the front wheels. Many traditional cars and trucks have their engines here.
- Rear-mounted engine: In some vehicles, the engine is placed at the very back, where you might expect the trunk to be. It sits over the rear wheels. Classic cars like the original Volkswagen Beetle used this design.
- Mid-mounted engine: This setup places the engine between the front and rear wheels. Often, it's located behind the driver and passenger seats, where the back seats would normally be. This position helps balance the car's weight, which is great for sports cars.
Images for kids
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A longitudinal engine inside a three-wheeler chassis.
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This is a longitudinal inline-six cylinder engine from a 1926 Henderson De Luxe Supersix motorcycle.
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See also
In Spanish: Motor longitudinal para niños
