I know this isn‘t a BMW question, but people who own BMWs are typically smarter than those Honda guys. Here goes:Could someone please explain to me, how the engine/transmission is set up in an Audi R8 (or any other mid engine, awd car)? Where is the tranny located, how does it send power to all 4 wheels? Does it have a different transmission than an RS4? My friend and I were discussing this, and I am at a complete loss.Any help is appreciated, and links would be great!
In a mid-engined car, the engine is always behind the driver, but in FRONT of the rear wheels, as apposed to a rear engined car like a Beetle or 911 where the trans is in front. The Audi R8 is still a prototype and not ready for sale. It is currently using the same gearbox from the Audi A4, which is not nearly strong enough to handle the torque from a 6.0L diesel V12. I would assume that the trans has two half shafts (axles) coming out the sides to the rear wheels, and a driveshaft going to a center differential, then another driveshaft going to a front differential and then on to the front wheels. This is how almost all AWD cars work, just in reverse.
the gearbox can be behind the axle, and driven via a shaft above or below the diff, like an old VW beetle/kombi/karmangia facing the other way.
In a mid-engined car, the engine is always behind the driver, but in FRONT of the rear wheels, as apposed to a rear engined car like a Beetle or 911 where the trans is in front. The Audi R8 is still a prototype and not ready for sale. It is currently using the same gearbox from the Audi A4, which is not nearly strong enough to handle the torque from a 6.0L diesel V12. I would assume that the trans has two half shafts (axles) coming out the sides to the rear wheels, and a driveshaft going to a center differential, then another driveshaft going to a front differential and then on to the front wheels. This is how almost all AWD cars work, just in reverse.
I am a Honda and an Audi guy so here it goes. I used to own Toyota MR2 (also mid engine car). I you were to look at the car when on a lift, you would see that the basically it is like the front wheel drive (everything stuffed into one end of the car). It was little bit simpler because there was no steering the wheel (that also pushed the car). I saw some pictures on the Audi R8 and you can think of it as regular 4 wheel drive except driven in reverse (and the other set of wheel doing the steering). OK think of it this way, - picture an all-wheel-drive car. - now lift just the body off the chassis. - now rotate the chassis 180 degree. - now put the body back on. That's all. Good Luck.
I am a Honda and an Audi guy so here it goes. I used to own Toyota MR2 (also mid engine car). I you were to look at the car when on a lift, you would see that the basically it is like the front wheel drive (everything stuffed into one end of the car). It was little bit simpler because there was no steering the wheel (that also pushed the car). I saw some pictures on the Audi R8 and you can think of it as regular 4 wheel drive except driven in reverse (and the other set of wheel doing the steering). OK think of it this way, - picture an all-wheel-drive car. - now lift just the body off the chassis. - now rotate the chassis 180 degree. - now put the body back on. That's all. Good Luck.
