Tengelytávú

Tengelytávú describes the wheelbase of a vehicle, that is, the distance between the centers of the front and rear axles measured along the vehicle’s longitudinal axis. The term comes from the Hungarian words tengely (axle) and táv (distance). In vehicle design and specification, tengelytáv is a key geometric property of the chassis and is often used in contrast to overall length or overhang.

The wheelbase influences several aspects of vehicle behavior. A longer tengelytáv generally provides more stable straight-line tracking, better ride comfort, and increased interior space, since the distance between the axles allows for longer cabin and trunk areas. A shorter tengelytáv can improve maneuverability and reduce turning radius, which can be advantageous in city driving and tight parking. The wheelbase also interacts with weight distribution, suspension tuning, and dynamics during acceleration, braking, and cornering, affecting traction and ride quality.

Measurement and terminology are straightforward: tengelytáv is the distance between the centers of the front and rear axles. Vehicles are commonly described as rövid tengelytávú (short wheelbase) or hosszú tengelytávú (long wheelbase), reflecting this dimension. While wheelbase varies across vehicle classes—passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks each have typical ranges—tengelytáv remains a fundamental specification used by engineers, manufacturers, and automotive writers to assess and compare handling characteristics and interior capacity. In English, the corresponding term is wheelbase.