Why Doesn't Volvo Use Longitudinal Engines?
1 Answers
Volvo does not use longitudinal engines because they are considered unsafe. Volvo is a Swedish brand, and Swedish laws stipulate that domestically produced cars must prioritize safety on icy and snowy roads, where front-wheel drive is deemed safer than rear-wheel drive. Since transverse engines are primarily used in front-wheel-drive vehicles, Volvo insists on using transverse engines. Transverse Engine: A transverse engine refers to an engine that is parallel to the front axle of the car. Simply put, if you stand in front of the car facing the engine and the engine is placed horizontally in front of you, it is a transverse engine. In a transverse engine, the crankshaft, transmission input/output shafts, and axle are all parallel. Therefore, for front-wheel-drive vehicles, a front transverse engine is the most suitable, as it offers a short power transmission distance and consistent direction, resulting in higher transmission efficiency. Longitudinal Engine: A longitudinal engine refers to an engine that is perpendicular to the front axle of the car. Simply put, if you stand in front of the car facing the engine and the engine is placed vertically in front of you, it is a longitudinal engine. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles generally use longitudinal engines because the power needs to be transmitted to the rear axle. When the transmission distance cannot be shortened, minimizing directional changes in power transmission becomes essential.