Re:Unlocking any car from X brand in most of the world
by Reubachi on Tuesday November 10, 2026 @11:23AM
(#50442542)
most AWD (mostly FWD) vehicle's engines are tranvserse mounted (horizontal in engine bay). These vehicles usually do not have a traditional transfer case/differential liek a 4wd vehicle, but instead a sort of "power siphon" that puts power to rear wheels selectively.
Most RWD and 4wd vehicles are longitudally mounted, allowing for easier packaging of power to the rear of the car.
The transverse packaging works much better in FWD configuration as
1. Packaging; the relation of the "AWD" (mostly FWD) transmission and a tranvserve engine is naturally a smaller form factor than other combos. Plus, the lack of traditional diff/transfer case is tons of weight savings.
2. Average driving; "FWD mode" in AWD vehicle is functionally equivilent to a FWD vehicle. This is ideal for most driving, IE; snow, fuel economy, understeer etc.
Most RWD and 4wd vehicles are longitudally mounted, allowing for easier packaging of power to the rear of the car.
The transverse packaging works much better in FWD configuration as
1. Packaging; the relation of the "AWD" (mostly FWD) transmission and a tranvserve engine is naturally a smaller form factor than other combos. Plus, the lack of traditional diff/transfer case is tons of weight savings.
2. Average driving; "FWD mode" in AWD vehicle is functionally equivilent to a FWD vehicle. This is ideal for most driving, IE; snow, fuel economy, understeer etc.