There are many things you can think of when you want to cash your car and buy a new one.
Your engine is one of the most important things to choose from.
Today, we are going to help you to make up your mind so you can choose the right engine for you.
A car engine is a machine that converts gasoline, diesel, or electricity to mechanical power. It is the heart of your car and the cornerstone on which the first car was built.
When thinking of engines, the first thing that will cross your mind is power, however, horsepower is not the only thing you should consider when buying a new car. There are many other classifications of an engine including engine placement.
Engine placement can absolutely add to the value of your car if it is chosen wisely.
After more than a century of inventing cars, most automobile makers are on one accord of placing the engine in the front of the car. Why though?
Motor position affects the driving experience, the acceleration of the car, and many other aspects. Generally, there are 3 different places for installing the engine: front, mid, and rear.
Let’s take a look at the different placements of engines and their pros and cons.
- Front-engine
In this layout, the engine is placed at the front of the car leaving a lot of space for the passengers and luggage. Most cars on the road today have front engines because placing the engine at the front combines economy and efficiency.
The front-engine can be mounted longitudinally or transversely.
- Longitudinal layout: suitable for high-performance cars, the motor is placed ahead of the front axle in parallel with the wheels, like the Audi A4.
In this case, the weight of the motor is distributed evenly bringing good traction and unlimited choices about the length of the engine. Still, this kind of layout makes the car heavier and more costly as there are many parts to be manufactured and added. Besides, due to the large size of the engine, less space is left for the cabin.
- Transversal layout: suitable for small cars. Fitted along the car’s width; this engine is mounted 90 degrees to the wheel.
Most car manufacturers, like Ford and Volvo, prefer transversely mounted engines because they don’t need much space, leaving more room for the passengers’ cabin, it costs less. besides, the maintenance process of such an engine is a lot simpler. The only problem is that it limits the power of the car.
- Mid-engine
Mid-engine first appeared in the 1960s. Although it is not installed in the middle of the car, that’s how manufacturers call it. In this case, the engine is placed between the driver and the rear axles. This layout provides superb acceleration, braking, and safety… that’s why it is very common in super and racing cars.
On the other side, placing the engine in the rear seat area leaves a small space for the backseats, that’s why most mid-engined cars are coupes. Also, these cars are very expensive.
Almost every hot wheel has a mid-engine, among them Bugatti Veyron, and Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
- Rear-engine
Most horseless carriages in the nineteenth century had rear engines, but today this layout is rare. The most famous model with a rear engine is the Porsche 911.
The weight of the engine at the rear improves acceleration and traction. Furthermore, the balance in this model is better than in front-engine models and is more practical than the mid-engine layout.
Despite all the good features of this layout, it is still the least preferable to automakers because of the high costs to cool down the engine, and safety issues. Rear-engined cars are not suitable for average drivers, they are drifty cars that need lots of experience to control.
In the matter of fact, in 1965, a young politician named Ralph Nader wrote a book named “unsafe at any speed” criticizing the whole automobile industry. Nevertheless, it had positive consequences, as car manufacturers raised safety bars in the cars upon the book being published.
Just like each rose has its thorns, each engine has its advantages and disadvantages. So before buying a car think about certain things related to the engine, like are you an experienced driver or not? Does it have an efficient MBRP exhaust system that works well with the engine? Do you like steady or drifty cars? Do you ride alone most of the time or will be there other passengers? It’s always up to you.
Author: Mohamad Omary
Mohamad Omary is the Managing Director of Car Wise. Car Wise is a car buying company that has established itself as the go-to partner for those who want to quickly sell their used cars in the UAE; reaching 20,000 satisfied customers with their easy car selling process and excellent customer service.If you’re interested in finding out more about the most convenient way to sell a car in Dubai, visit CarWise.
