What is Front-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive?

[SanEmerson]

Front-engine rear-wheel drive refers to a traditional drivetrain layout where the engine is positioned at the front and the rear wheels are driven. The advantages of front-engine rear-wheel drive are: 1. Increased load on the driving wheels when starting, accelerating, or climbing on well-paved roads; 2. More balanced axle load distribution, resulting in better handling stability and ride comfort; 3. The engine, clutch, and transmission assemblies are located close to the cabin, simplifying the arrangement of the control mechanisms; 4. The steering mechanism is simple in structure and easy to maintain. The drivetrain configuration refers to the arrangement of the engine and the number and position of the driven wheels. Most conventional vehicles have two rows of wheels, front and rear, with the wheels directly driven by the engine to propel (or pull) the vehicle forward being the driving wheels.

[OCalvin]

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive (FR) is the layout where the engine is placed at the front of the car while the driving wheels are at the rear. I particularly love this design because it provides better weight distribution, making the car extremely stable when cornering, especially when taking a quick spin on the expressway—it feels like the car responds like an old friend. Unlike front-wheel-drive cars that tend to understeer, FR layouts offer more fun in handling and even allow for some occasional drifting. For example, some classic BMW sports cars use this setup. Just be mindful of reduced rear-wheel grip in rainy conditions, but overall, reliability is solid. I think this layout is perfect for those who seek driving excitement—it adds a different kind of thrill to daily driving. As for maintenance, regular checks on components like the driveshaft are needed, but it's not too troublesome.

[VonLilliana]

I've driven front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) cars for many years. Simply put, the engine spins in the front while the rear wheels push the car forward. For me, this design is quite practical in daily driving – the front-mounted engine dissipates heat well, and I never worry about engine overheating when running the AC in summer. The downside is slightly higher fuel consumption, especially in traffic jams, but the rear-wheel drive offers strong load capacity – it handles fully packed travel cargo with ease. Compared to front-wheel-drive vehicles, FR cars are more agile in turns and provide far superior handling. My family's used car is FR configuration, and it's incredibly worry-free on highways. For maintenance, pay attention to regular servicing of shock absorbers and the drivetrain to prevent part aging. Overall, they're reliable and durable – choosing the right one can save you lots of trouble.

[SanElla]

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout places the engine at the front and transmits power to the rear wheels via a driveshaft. I often encounter this setup during repairs. Its advantage lies in balanced weight distribution, preventing nose-light/tail-heavy handling while delivering strong cornering grip. However, the structure is relatively complex – driveshaft failures can be time-consuming to fix. Notable applications include classics like the Ford Mustang, which demonstrates good space utilization with decent rear legroom. For daily driving, it offers stable handling though requires extra caution in snowy conditions. Maintenance is straightforward, mainly involving regular lubrication of gears and differentials.