reardriven

Reardriven is a term used to describe propulsion systems or configurations in which motive power is delivered to the rear portion of a vehicle or machine. In automotive engineering, the most common form is rear-wheel drive, where the drivetrain runs from the engine or motor to a rear differential and drives the rear wheels. The term is often used interchangeably with rear-driven or rear-wheel drive in both conventional internal combustion engine and electric vehicle contexts.

In traditional automobiles, reardriven designs place the powertrain toward the front of the vehicle while transmitting power to the rear wheels via a driveshaft and differential. This arrangement tends to provide balanced weight distribution and favorable handling characteristics on dry roads, and it is common in sports and luxury cars, some pickups, and older sedans. In electric vehicles, rear-driven layouts may feature a motor mounted at the rear axle or one or more rear-mounted motors, sometimes paired with a front motor in all-wheel-drive configurations.

Advantages of reardriven designs include improved steering feel during cornering, a relatively simple driveline, and potential packaging benefits that can aid interior space or weight distribution. Limitations can include reduced traction during acceleration on loose or slippery surfaces, and in some cases higher drivetrain losses or fuel efficiency penalties when compared with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.

While the term reardriven is less common in consumer speech than rear-wheel drive, it appears in technical discussions and automotive literature as a shorthand to emphasize rear-axle propulsion. See also rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, drivetrain.