Page 18 - 05. Subyek Teknik Mesin - Automobile Mechanical and Electrical Systems Automotive Technology Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Vehicle Maintenance Repr Nv2) by Tom Denton

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The rear engine design has not been very popular but it was used for the best
selling car of all time: the VW Beetle. The advantages are that weight is placed
on the rear wheels, giving good grip, and the power unit and drive can be all one
assembly. One downside is that less room is available for luggage in the front.
The biggest problem is that handling is affected because of less weight on the
steered wheels. Flat-type engines are the most common choice for this type of
vehicle.
Fitting the engine in the mid-position of a car has one major disadvantage: it
takes up space inside the vehicle. This makes it impractical for most ‘normal’
vehicles. However, the distribution of weight is very good, which makes it the Key fact
choice of high-performance vehicle designers. A good example is the Ferrari In a mid-engine car the distribution of
Testarossa. Mid-engine is the term used to describe any vehicle where the weight is very good.
engine is between the axles, even if it is not in the middle.

1.1.2 Types and sizes

Vehicles are also categorized by type and size as in Table 1.2 .

1.1.3 Body design

Types of light vehicle can range from small two-seat sports cars to large people
carriers or sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Also included in the range are light
commercial vehicles such as vans and pick-up trucks. It is hard to categorize
a car exactly as there are several agreed systems in several different countries.
Figures 1.5–1.13 show a number of different body types.

1.1.4 Chassis type and body panels

The vehicle chassis can be of two main types: separate or integrated. Separate Key fact
chassis are usually used on heavier vehicles. The integrated type, often called A vehicle chassis can be of two main

monocoque, is used for almost all cars. The two main types are shown here in types: separate or integrated.
Figs 1.14 and 1.15 .

Table 1.2 Common abbreviations and defi nitions
LV Light vehicles (light vans and cars) with an MAM of up to 3500 kg, no
more than eight passenger seats. Vehicles weighing between 3500 kg and
7500 kg are considered mid-sized
LGV A large goods vehicle, known formerly and still in common use, as a heavy
goods vehicle or HGV. LGV is the EU term for trucks or lorries with an MAM
of over 3500 kg
PCV A passenger-carrying vehicle or a bus, known formerly as omnibus,
multibus, or autobus, is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers.
The most common type is the single-decker, with larger loads carried
by double-decker and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by
minibuses. A luxury, long-distance bus is usually called a coach

LCV Light commercial vehicle; the formal term in the EU for goods vehicles with
an MAM of up to 3.5 tonnes. In general language, this kind of vehicle is
usually called a van
MAM: maximum allowed mass; EU: European Union.