Why is there a bulge in the rear of Volkswagen cars?
2 Answers
Volkswagen cars have a bulge in the rear due to the exhaust pipe or drive shaft located under the chassis. Typically, rear-wheel-drive vehicles require a drive shaft to transmit the engine's power to the rear wheels, necessitating this structural bulge. The Volkswagen Lavida has a body length, width, and height of 4670mm, 1806mm, and 1474mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2688mm, and features front-engine, front-wheel-drive. It is equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This engine delivers a maximum power of 110kW and a maximum torque of 250Nm, and also incorporates direct fuel injection technology with an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block.
I've been driving a Volkswagen for several years and noticed that the hump in the middle of the rear seats is mainly to make space for the driveshaft, especially in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models like Volkswagen's 4MOTION Golf. The power needs to be transmitted from the engine to the rear wheels, so there has to be a channel under the car for the driveshaft to pass through. Additionally, the exhaust system and some cables also take up some space, resulting in a raised section in the rear floor. Many Volkswagen models share the same chassis platform, which makes the design process easier and reduces costs. However, many car owners now complain about the discomfort, as the middle position can easily bump feet during rides, especially on long trips with friends. Fortunately, with the advent of the electric vehicle era, Volkswagen's ID series has a much flatter floor since there's no driveshaft. I think this is a design tradition that will gradually change, but from a safety perspective, it does help strengthen the chassis rigidity and protect internal components.
