Transverse and Longitudinal Engine Orientation explained, and its pros and cons.

The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" merely indicate the orientation of an engine in a vehicle. The cylinders of longitudinal engines are placed front-to-back. Transverse engines have their cylinders operating side by side. Each configuration has benefits and disadvantages that impact everything from the drivetrain to the cabin arrangement.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A TRANSVERSE ENGINE?

A transverse engine is positioned in such a way that the crankshaft is perpendicular to the driveshaft and the direction of motion. This implies that the engine is also parallel to the vehicle's axles. A transverse engine has its cylinders placed left to right beneath the hood of an automobile. The transverse arrangement is the most popular in modern automobiles.

How does a Transverse Engine attach to the drivetrain?

Transverse engines are often linked to the transmission, differential, and axle at the front of the vehicle. That is why they are so common in front-wheel drive vehicles nowadays. A transverse architecture also makes it simple to incorporate a transaxle. The transmission, differential, and axle are combined to form a transaxle. Because of this direct connection, fewer components are required and less energy is lost.

What vehicles use Transverse Engines?

Most modern automobiles, especially non-sporty ones, have a transverse engine configuration. Almost all FWD and AWD vehicles, as well as most four-cylinder and V6 automobiles today, will be transverse.

Transverse V8s do exist, although they are extremely rare. A longitudinal arrangement is used in anything with more than eight cylinders (think supercars). Dedicated sports vehicles are typically longitudinal, however, smaller ones can still be transverse.

TRANSVERSE ENGINE PROS AND CONS:

The transverse layout is common in daily automobiles due to its convenience and efficiency. However, because of size constraints and handling concerns, it is less suitable for sporty automobiles.

Transverse Engine Pros	Transverse Engine Cons
More cabin space	Power/displacement constraints
It works nicely with the transaxle/FWD.	Torque steer may occur in front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Less expensive and more efficient

 

Now we discuss in detail its pros and cons

Transverse Engine Pros:

Efficient Packaging Means Greater Passenger Space:

Because transverse engines are smaller and positioned side by side, they allow for more passenger space. Because there is no need for a transmission tunnel in FWD vehicles, the floor may be lower as well. This is especially significant in compact automobiles with little trunk capacity.

This works well with FWD:

A front-wheel-drive vehicle is ideal for a transverse engine. Because the crankshaft is parallel to the axle, it can directly lead to a transaxle transmission. This puts the drivetrain components in one place and uses less material. Furthermore, because the bulk of the weight is distributed across the driving wheels, the automobile has higher traction. This is handy in snowy or muddy circumstances.

Low-cost and effective:

Because of how well it works with a front-mounted transaxle, a transverse engine is less expensive to manufacture. Because there are fewer required drivetrain parts, it is lighter and less expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, it is somewhat more efficient than a longitudinal engine. The work output does not have to be rotated 90 degrees since the crankshaft is parallel to the axles.

Transverse Engine Cons:

Power and engine size restrictions:

Because of size constraints, transverse engines can only produce so much displacement and power. Larger engines are more difficult to package transversely. Although contemporary turbochargers may assist push four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines to their performance limits, they can't compete with a V8. Even if you disagree that there is "no substitute for displacement," a turbo-V8 still outperforms a turbo-V6.

Torque Steer:

If you do wind up with a high horsepower transverse engine, torque steer may be an issue. While having the engine and gearbox above the driving wheels provides a lot of traction, having too much torque causes wheel spin and unequal power. This issue is exacerbated by the uneven drive-shafts that are common in transverse installations. The consequence is a thrilling but slightly terrifying jerking of the steering wheel.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A LONGITUDINAL ENGINE?

A longitudinal engine is placed such that the crankshaft runs parallel to the driveshaft and travels in one direction. This indicates that it is perpendicular to the axles. The cylinders of longitudinal engines are positioned front to rear. This is a less frequent arrangement, seen mostly in sports cars and 4WD vehicles.

How does a longitudinal engine attach to the drivetrain?

A longitudinal engine necessitates the addition of extra components to connect to the transmission and axles. Longitudinal engine vehicles are typically rear-wheel drive, therefore the engine must link to them via the drivetrain. In contrast to a transverse configuration, the differential and transmission will not sit in front of the engine. The transmission will be located directly behind the engine, while the differential will be located on the back axle.

What vehicles have Longitudinal Engines?

Longitudinal engines are most commonly found in rear-wheel drive automobiles. They're also widespread in four-wheel-drive SUVs and trucks. A longitudinal engine is likely to be used in any vehicle with a mid-engine or rear-engine configuration.

Longitudinal engines are frequently required for sports vehicles and supercars. A longitudinal configuration is nearly always seen in engines with eight or more cylinders.

LONGITUDINAL ENGINE PROS AND CONS:

Longitudinal engines are ideal for rear-wheel drive sports cars and off-road vehicles. However, the packing might be a concern for tiny everyday automobiles.

Longitudinal Engine Pros	Longitudinal Engine Cons
There is room for extra power/displacement.	Less efficient
Improved front/rear weight distribution	Trumps cabin space
More room in the engine compartment	Packaging/layout that is bulky

Longitudinal Engine Pros:

Space for a Larger Engine:

A longitudinal layout is frequently necessary to accommodate a huge engine, such as a V8. Cars with large-displacement engines are typically intended for enthusiasts. A longitudinal engine makes the most sense because powerful rear-wheel drive vehicles are the most typical arrangement of high-performance automobiles. They also perform well for 4x4 vehicle rear differential layouts.

Improved Front/Rear Weight Balance:

A longitudinal engine configuration is "North to South," hence it has a superior weight distribution from front to back. This enhances handling, making it an excellent choice for high-performance sports automobiles.

More space on the engine's sides:

A longitudinal engine's configuration allows for additional components on each side of the motor. It's also easy to install a turbocharger (or two) in a longitudinal engine compartment. This area also makes it easier to work on the engine.

Longitudinal Engine Cons:

Less Effective:

Because a longitudinal engine cannot directly drive a transaxle, additional components are required to connect to the drivetrain. This adds weight and intricacy. Furthermore, the crankshaft's work must be rotated 90 degrees before being sent to the axles. As a result, the setup is less efficient.

Cabin Room takes precedence:

The lengthy architecture of a longitudinal design means that the cabin has less physical room. Because the engine must extend so far back from the front of the car, passenger space is often limited. The transmission tunnel will also need a higher floor, perhaps reducing the center console area.

Large Packaging:

Because of the lengthy design and the requirement for a transmission tunnel, it is more difficult to put a longitudinal engine in a vehicle. This is especially true if the present platform was designed with transverse motors in mind.

CAN A TRANSVERSE ENGINE BE MOUNTED LONGITUDINALLY?

A transverse engine can also be installed longitudinally. However, doing so as a do-it-yourself job would require a significant amount of time and work. It's undoubtedly been done before, but it makes no sense.

That doesn't preclude manufacturers from using the same engine transversely and longitudinally in various vehicles. Ford's 2.3 Eco-Boost four-cylinder is an excellent example. It was utilized in the Focus RS, a compact hatchback, in a transverse configuration. However, because the Mustang was designed for a huge V8, Ford chose to put the 2.3 longitudinally. This packaging was more appropriate for the existing platform.

CONCLUSION:

WHICH IS BETTER: A LONGITUDINAL OR A TRANSVERSE ENGINE?

Neither engine configuration is necessarily superior to the other. Most of the time, you won't pick a car depending on whether it has a longitudinal or transverse engine.

Those looking for a "genuine" sports car experience or a 4x4 will often prefer cars with a longitudinal configuration. They are heavier, more costly, and less practical, but they provide the finest driving experience for enthusiasts and allow for greater displacements and power.

Those who do not require a lot of engine power will almost always end up with a transverse layout. They're less expensive and more efficient, and they provide the most practical setup for most people.