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Advantages of rear engine over front engine

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Old 11-20-2006, 04:50 AM
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Other than Porsches and the Corvair, the only other other rear engine car I can think of is the VW Beetle. Back in it's day the Beetle was one of the best winter cars you could own. The engine weight behind the rear axle gave it a big traction advantage in snow over its contemporaries.

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Old 11-20-2006, 10:22 AM
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I'm sure everyone knows how great the Corvair handled...

I'm very interested in driving a few mid/rear engined cars. I'd like to see how they feel and if there's really a difference from a well setup FR.
Old 11-20-2006, 10:28 AM
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Actually the later Corvairs handled just fine. The earlier ones had basically the same rear suspension as a Beatle and had the same handling traits. The Corvairs were actually considered to be good handling at the time. The issue was the at the limits handling of the rear suspension.
Old 11-20-2006, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by pierceman,Nov 4 2003, 04:53 AM
, but what happens when that mass is in motion, then you slam on the brakes. 50-50 only works while the car is at a standstill. in motion everything changes, or am I way off here?
The car's weight is distributed differently during acceleration, be that positive or negative. Constant speed holds the car's true weight distribution.
Old 11-20-2006, 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by aklucsarits,Nov 20 2006, 01:50 PM
Other than Porsches and the Corvair, the only other other rear engine car I can think of is the VW Beetle. Back in it's day the Beetle was one of the best winter cars you could own. The engine weight behind the rear axle gave it a big traction advantage in snow over its contemporaries.

Andrew
...and that air-cooled engine heated up pretty fast.
Old 11-22-2006, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Spartikus,Nov 20 2006, 11:22 AM
I'm sure everyone knows how great the Corvair handled...

I'm very interested in driving a few mid/rear engined cars. I'd like to see how they feel and if there's really a difference from a well setup FR.
Yes there is a difference. Turn in, response to trail braking, traction out of the corner (when driven properly) would be better. You do have to drive it a bit differently though to make full use of the balance.
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