When it comes to cars, we often hear the terms “FF car” and “FR car.”
Do you know the difference between the two? Let’s delve into the topic here!
What is an FF car?
An FF car is a car that uses a front engine/front-wheel drive (FF) configuration. In this setup, the engine is located at the front of the vehicle and drives the front wheels.
It is commonly found in many passenger cars.
[Advantages]
One advantage of the FF system is that the body is lightweight because there is no need for a propeller shaft. A propeller shaft is a shaft that transfers power generated by the engine to other parts of the car. In the FF configuration, since the engine is in front and directly powers the front wheels, there is no need for a propeller shaft. Additionally, this absence of a propeller shaft increases space and improves comfort. Furthermore, since the load is applied to the front, the vehicle’s body is stabilized, making front-wheel drive cars recommended for beginners.
[Disadvantages]
One disadvantage of FF cars is that since both “running” and “turning” are performed with the front wheels, a heavy burden is placed on them. This makes them less suitable for sporty driving.
What is FR car?
A front engine/rear-wheel drive (FR) car has the engine placed in the front of the body, and the power is sent to the rear wheels through the propeller shaft to drive them.
The propeller shaft bridges the engine and drive wheels.
[Advantages]
The front wheels can be used for “turning” and the rear wheels for “running”. This allows the tires to withstand a larger engine, making it a popular choice for sports cars with high-powered engines.
[Disadvantages]
There are fewer parts shared between the FR and FF systems used in general passenger cars, and a larger number of parts are used in FR cars, making them more expensive. This is one of the reasons why sports cars are expensive, not just because of the brand. Additionally, the shaft for transmitting power to the rear wheels passes through the centerline, which reduces space and can decrease comfort.
If you are looking for a more advanced driving experience than a comfortable interior space, a RWD car might be a better choice!
