Fig. 8.
1-45 VW Transporter, a light truck which could be used either as an eight-seater bus or for transporting goods, and which has
the optimal axle load distribution of 50%/50% in almost all loading conditions. The double wishbone suspension at the front, the
semi-trailing link rear axle and the rack and pinion steering, which is operated via an additional gear set in front, can be seen clearly.
To achieve a flat load floor throughout, VW changed the Transporter to front-wheel drive in 1990.
Fig. 8.1-46 The Porsche Boxster (1996) has a water-cooled engine which is longitudinally installed in front of the rear axle. The front
axle is designed as a spring strut-type axle. The transverse link is arranged almost in extension of the wheel axle; it is connected to the
longitudinal link by a strut bush which is soft for reasons of comfort. This open design and link geometry make it possible to combine
a high level of driving precision, a result of rigid wheel control, with riding comfort, owing to the longitudinal elasticity of the axle. At
a camber angle of 8 , good straight running results from the large castor displacement of 41 mm. The kingpin offset is 7 mm and the
disturbing force lever arm is 83 mm. The pitch centre of the front axle was located near to the road to achieve kinematic wheel recession
of the axle, which is important for riding comfort, with the result that braking-torque compensation is only 10%.
The rear axle is also a spring strut-type axle in an open link design; the wheel carrier, hub and bushes as well as the transverse link
are the same as those found on the front axle. The open design makes it possible to have an inwardly inclined elastokinematic axis of
rotation, so that a stabilizing toe-in position of the rear wheels is produced during braking. The axle can also be designed to
understeer when subject to lateral forces.
The main disadvantages of the mid-engine design are apparent from the boot space: only 130 I are available at both the front and back.
Types of suspension and drive CHAPTER 8.1
8.1.6 Front-wheel drive
The engine, differential and gearbox form one unit,
which can sit in front of, over, or behind the front axle.
The design is very compact and, unlike the standard
design, means that the vehicle can either be around
100–300 mm shorter, or the space for passengers and
luggage can be larger. These are probably the main rea-
sons why, worldwide, more and more car manufacturers
Fig. 8.1-47 The low cargo area on the Peugeot light
have gone over to this design. In recent years only a few
commercial vehicle J 5/J 7 is achieved due to front-wheel drive
and a semi-trailing link axle to the rear (similar to the one in
saloons of up to 2 l capacity without front-wheel drive
Fig. 8.1-63). have come onto the market. Nowadays, front-wheel -
drive vehicles are manufactured with V6 and V8 engines
and performances in excess of 150 kW.
However, this type of drive is not suitable for com-
the VW Transporter, Fig. 8.1-45, has not been built since mercial vehicles as the rear wheels are highly loaded and
1991) and, in so doing, obtain the following benefits: the front wheels only slightly. Nevertheless, some light
commercial vehicle manufacturers accept this disad-
very agile handling properties as a result of the small
vantage so they can lower the load area and offer more
yawing moment;
space or better loading conditions (Fig. 8.1-47). The
very good drive-off and climbing capacity, almost propshafts necessary on standard passenger cars would
irrespective of load; not allow this.
a short power flow because the engine, gearbox and
differential form one compact unit;
light steering due to low front axle load; [Link] Types of design
good braking force distribution;
simple front axle design; [Link].1 Engine mounted longitudinally
easy engine dismantling (only on rear engine); ‘north–south’ in front of the axle
no tunnel or only a small tunnel in the floor pan; In-line or V engines mounted in front of the axle –
a small overhang to the front is possible. regardless of the wheelbase – give a high front axle load,
Fig. 8.1-48 In front-wheel drive vehicles the engine can be mounted longitudinally in front of the front axle with the manual gearbox
behind. The shaft goes over the transverse differential (illustration: Renault).
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