5 drivetrain layouts: which is best for what?

Today, the vast majority of “ordinary” fossil fuel cars zipping about our urban roads employ a front-engine, front-wheel drive configuration. But that wasn’t always the case.

No, before widespread fuel scarcity coaxed this now-popular configuration into mainstream reality, most vehicles had their engines sited at the front, with power channelled exclusively to the rear wheels. Of course, this layout still has its place today, with a number of upmarket marques and sporty vehicles relying on the traditional configuration.

So, let’s take a look at the five main drivetrain layouts, each of which has unique advantages and disadvantages. Which is best for what?

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