transaxeln

Transaxle, sometimes written as transaxel in some languages and known in Swedish as transaxeln, is an automotive drivetrain component that combines the transmission and the differential into a single integrated housing. This arrangement places the gearbox and the final drive in one unit, which is connected to the drive wheels via half-shafts or drive shafts.

In front-engine, front-wheel-drive layouts, the transaxle is typically located at the front of the vehicle with the differential inside the same case as the transmission, reducing drivetrain length and improving packaging. In rear-engine or mid-engine layouts, the transaxle is mounted at the rear, which helps balance weight and optimize handling.

Advantages include shorter driveshafts, lower rotating inertia, simplified routing of power to the wheels, and more compact packaging which can free up space for passengers or cargo.

Disadvantages include greater mechanical complexity and potentially higher cost and maintenance, as cooling and lubrication are concentrated in one housing and service intervals may be less flexible.

Variations exist for different applications, including longitudinal transaxles used in mid- or rear-engine cars and transaxles employed in some all-wheel-drive systems. Notable examples are common in front-wheel-drive cars and in mid- or rear-engine sports cars.