Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary
@cRiPpLe_rOoStEr, I've never understood totally why, from a commercial standpoint, the rear engine economy car died the way it did.
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Packaging / manufacturing cost.
It is much easier to package a liquid-cooled engine and transaxle in the front of the car. You put the radiator up front and coolant lines are short. Same with the hoses between the engine and heater core. Throttle cables are easy to route. Shifter linkages are shorter and less complicated.
As a manufacturer I can also make a sedan, coupe, wagon, and hatchback variation and not have to touch the front half of the car.
Then there is luggage / cargo room. With a rear engine car you basically just have the frunk. With a front engine car it is easy to fold down the rear seat to double the cargo room.