So-called transaxles
The engine in the front and the gearbox are built together with the differential on the rear axle. A frequently heard argument for this construction, called a transaxle, is better weight distribution. Usually, however, it was an emergency measure: wasting space, resulting in long shift rods. We give some examples.
Skoda 420 Popular (1938)
Skoda equips the 420 Popular with a transaxle construction and proves the quality of the system in countless rallies that often end with victories.
Lancia Aurelia (1954)
The Lancia engineers have never shied away from experiment. In the Aurelia with its V6 and steering gear, the clutch, gearbox and drum brakes form one unit with the rear differential.
Ferrari 275 GTB4 (1967)
The elongated Ferrari nose accommodates a gearbox behind the V12, but it makes the front very heavy. That is why the transmission is on the rear axle.
Volvo 343 (1976)
Just like the Dafjes, the Volvo 343 also has the Variomatic transmission in the rear. On the manual 340s and 360s, the gearbox from the 240 is located in that location.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2.0 (1974)
After the Giulietta and the GTV, Alfa Romeo has developed a taste for transaxles. The Giulietta, the 90, the 75 and the SZ derivatives also get the gearbox under the rear seat.
Porsche 924 (1976)
Most cars on this page have the gearbox in front of the rear axle. On the Porsche 924 it is located just behind the rear axle, a legacy of the front-wheel drive Audi 100 with which the 924 shares its transmission. The 944, the 968 and the 928 are also transaxles.
Chevrolet Corvette C5 (1997)
For four generations, the engine and gearbox of the Chevrolet Corvette have been one unit, in the fifth edition the transmission moved to the rear axle and in the latest edition the engine is now also located behind the front seats.
Chevrolet Corvette
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl