The History Of Wheels

We all know that wheels are the part of the car which is the ultimate part which makes it able to move from place to place. It is an easy method, ‘engines give power to wheels and wheels turns and cars move.

But how many of us know the wheels are not powered or controlled by the engine in the same way.

In this article, we will concentrate on the engine’s placement and engine-wheel connection of the vehicles.

The origin of four-wheel vehicle

The first ever auto-mobile made was in 1769, with wooden body and tires. It ran on steam engine embedded on the front part of the vehicle. The engine was connected to the front wheel and was called front engine front wheel drive (FWD/FF) car.

The car was a successful prototype and was stated commercialization. But the car was really heavy and big compared to the power the engine released. Manual steering was a difficult thing at that time and made it very tough to drive.

As time passed, the size of the engine decreased and power increased. The position of the engine remained the same and it powered the front wheels.

Who Were The Pioneers

It was the Benz which made the first internal combustion engine and positioning it in the rear of the car. It was the first rear engine rear wheel drive (RWD) car.

Panhard, a French manufacturer of light tactical and military vehicles created the first ever front engine rear wheel drive car, which changed the thought that engine can only be in front powering the front wheel. The front engine rear wheel drive was easier to make than Front engine front wheel drive.

Bramah Joseph Diplock, an English inventor made a first four-wheel drive (4WD) car in 1893. With 4WD the traction of the car increased by which rough terrain drive got easier.

In 1900, first ever mid-engine rear wheel drive (RMR) car was made. It was NW Rennzweier. It was the first racing car with 12hp.

The Front Wheel Drive

Nowadays, most of the cars produced are FWD, and it is because of the ease of production which reduces the cost of making and, it gives better traction and giving max grip in the front because of the engine’s weight.

As FWD cars are most suitable for city and commuting purposes, it is not considered good for performance cars. FWD cars usually concentrate on the economy and general population.

The Rear Wheel Drive

In RWD cars, the engine is in the front and power is transferred to the rear wheels. Being heavier on the front because of the engine, the grip of the rear wheels is always lesser than the front wheel. But nowadays, the companies are adjusting the weight of vehicles so that it has a proper grip on all wheels. Some cars are now having 50-50 weight distribution.

This types of car are popular as people love driving FWD as it is easy to handle and fast, and it will remain same for a long time.

The Rear Engine Rear Wheel Drive

Rear engine rear wheel (RR) cars still exist, and this arrangement is mostly used by Porsche and Volkswagen. In this arrangement, the position of the engine is at the rear and the rear wheels are powered. It had a problem of developing less grip on the front wheels and making it tougher on the curves. But, Porsche has mastered the technique to distribute the weight properly and to manage the grip of the car.

The Rear-mid Engine, Rear Wheel Drive

Rear mid-engine, rear wheel (RMR) cars are popular in racing cars. In this arrangement, the engine is set just ahead of the rear wheel and the rear-wheel is powered by it. Weight distribution is properly done in this arrangement.

The Four Wheel Drive

Four-wheel drive (4WD) cars are usually off-roaders and it is because all wheels are powered equally by the engine. 4WD cars have different lock options depending on the surface they are riding and can adjust the powering of wheels. Whether the car is going on low range, high range, it has gear options to adjust according to that.

The All Wheel Drive

All-wheel drive (AWD) cars are for mild off-roading and city driving. The power distributed to all wheels are adjusted as per the situation.

All the wheels are given power according to that instant by the system embedded in the car. The AWD system cuts the power of the wheel with least traction. This system is mostly used by rally cars and sports cars. Even super and hypercars use this technology. This system is safe and gives most traction, but it’s not suitable for off-roading.

How it differs from 4WD will be discussed in another post by us.

And the latest addition to the list

The latest entry is of the IWD cars. You may be wondering about what the “I” stands for?

It is the latest technology embedded in the electric cars, and it means, ‘ Individual Wheel Drive’.

The cars will have individual motors for each wheel and power them when required in different situation. Controlled and monitored by the computer system in the car, it becomes real ease for the driver to ride the car.

Many other experiments are going on in the industry to make the driving experience smooth and comfortable for the driver. It is just a few years wait and we will be seeing a new type of arrangement in the driving system of cars.




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