Transverse vs. Longitudinal

[LTSmash]

I was reading this article on the Corolla WRC and it stated this:

Although it carried over some components from its predecessor, the Celica GT-Four, it benefited from an all-new design. It was also the first World Rally Car to feature a transverse-mounted engine.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to using of using a transverse-mounted engine over a longitudinal-mounted engine in a rally car? I was always under the impression that a transverse layout was inferior, but I guess it's not being that it's used in competition rallies.


LINK:

1997 - 1999 Toyota Corolla WRC - Images, Specifications and Information

[cmcpokey]

i would imagine you could mount it further back, depending on the transmission alayout, and that would help with weight distribution.

[blingbling]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

i would imagine you could mount it further back, depending on the transmission alayout, and that would help with weight distribution.

doesnt trans/longi mean the orientation of the engine, not the location?

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by blingbling

doesnt trans/longi mean the orientation of the engine, not the location?

Yes but transversal engines are usually over the axle the engine drives. Longitudinally mounted engine can be behind (or in front if it's a mid engined car) the axle the engine drives.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Yes but transversal engines are usually over the axle the engine drives. Longitudinally mounted engine can be behind (or in front if it's a mid engined car) the axle the engine drives.

what you've just said would imply that longitudinally mounted engines would be better (behind the axle= more centered= less polar inertia) however he asked what the benefits of the other layout are... but I don't know myself

[Bob]

However I would imagine that due to rules, possibly such as the firewall not being allowed to be modified, a transversely mounted engine might have a center of mass behind that of a longitudinally mounted engine, even though the rearmost part is farther forward. That's my only guess. Also, Corollas come with the engine mounted transversally- do rules allow modification? Would the engine fit in the bay if it was mounted longitudinally?

[cmcpokey]

another advantage could be that it is possible to create a shorter wheelbase, given the shorter required front to rear distance of the longitundinal mounting, and that is often desirable for rally cars.

[Rasmus]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

another advantage could be that it is possible to create a shorter wheelbase, given the shorter required front to rear distance of the longitundinal mounting, and that is often desirable for rally cars.

Exactly, as in the Morris Mini, which was responsible for the design catching on. I also heard that Volvo started doing it to add to the interior space.

Now why the Miura had a transversely mounted V12 I don't know. My guess is weight distribution. Maybe interior space as well?

[henk4]

it saves in transmission friction when you already have the crankshaft in the same line as the drive shafts. In this respect, Mini, the first car with a transverse engine, but separate gearbox, Autobianchi Primula, the first car with the gearbox fully built in into the engine. (prototype to the Fiat 128).
Interesting compromise Ferrari 312T Formula one car with longitudinal 180-degree V12 engine and transverse gearbox, inside the wheelbase.

[nota]

Originally Posted by henk4

In this respect, Mini, the first car with a transverse engine, but separate gearbox,

Not forgetting that other first car ....?

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Goliath GP700 (1950-1957) — two cylinder, inline, two stroke, water cooled, transverse engine (anticipating the Mini and many recent cars).

[henk4]

Originally Posted by nota

Not forgetting that other first car ....?

obviously
(and though I knew about the fuel injection, the "other" first was unknown to me).

[nota]

Originally Posted by henk4

obviously
(and though I knew about the fuel injection, the "other" first was unknown to me).

Ahh, who among us is immune from the perils in naming automotive 'firsts'

Look deep enough and there's always another "other" lurking in the shadows of time


1931-on DKW

[henk4]

[QUOTE=nota;892234]Ahh, who among us is immune from the perils in naming automotive 'firsts'

Look deep enough and there's always another "other" lurking in the shadows of time


[QUOTE]
another great find, including the dynostart...

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

another advantage could be that it is possible to create a shorter wheelbase, given the shorter required front to rear distance of the longitundinal mounting, and that is often desirable for rally cars.

And yet, the Escort RS Cosworth was little more than a Sierra in drag with a longitudinal engine because that was considered better at the time. The thing is most rally cars now feature tranverse engines because that's what their road going counterparts have.

Originally Posted by nota

Ahh, who among us is immune from the perils in naming automotive 'firsts'

Look deep enough and there's always another "other" lurking in the shadows of time

1931-on DKW

Ah yes I remember our discussion about which was the first car with a tranverse mounted engine. It was interesting.

[cmcpokey]

Originally Posted by Rasmus

Now why the Miura had a transversely mounted V12 I don't know. My guess is weight distribution. Maybe interior space as well?

pretty sure that was down to pressures to get the design done, and not having the time to develop a gearbox designed for longitudinal configuration.