Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout

Afront-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout(FR),also calledSystème Panhard^[1]^[2]^[3]is apowertrain layoutwith an engine in front andrear-wheel-drive,connected via adrive shaft.This arrangement, with the engine straddling the front axle, was the traditional automobile layout for most of the pre-1950s automotive mechanical projects.^[4]It is also used in trucks, pickups, andhigh-floor busesandschool buses.

Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout

FMR layout, the engine is located behind the front axle

Afront mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout(FMR)places the engine in the front half of the vehicle butbehindthe front axle, which likewise drives the rear wheels via a driveshaft. Shifting the engine'scenter of massrearward aids in front/rearweight distributionand reduces themoment of inertia,both of which improve a vehicle'shandling.While the mechanical layout of an FMR is substantially the same as an FR car, the classification of some models of the same vehicle may vary as either FR or FMR depending on the length of the engine (e.g. 4-cylinder vs. 6-cylinder) and its center of mass in relation to the front axle.^{[citation needed]}

FMR cars are often characterized by a long hood and front wheels that are pushed forward to the corners of the vehicle, close to the front bumper.2+2-stylegrand tourersoften have FMR layouts, as a rear engine does not leave much space for rear seats.

Gallery

The 390 cid V8 engine in a FR 1968AMC AMXfunctionally straddles its front axle, with the centerline of the shock towers basically bisecting the center of the air cleaner
The straight-6 DOHCXK engineclearly sits behind the front axle of an FMRJaguar E-Type
AllChevrolet Corvettefrom the second through the seventh generation are FMR. Only ancillary aspects of thisChevrolet Corvette ZR-1'sengine may lie above the front axle.
An FMRDodge Vipershowing its 8.4 L V10 positioned behind the car’s front axle
TheF140 CV12 engine sitting behind theFerrari 599's front axle.