摘要 |
A small and ultralightweight vehicle, especially for automobile racing, is provided having a driver's cockpit laterally offset from the vehicle's longitudinal axis; an engine laterally oppositely offset from the vehicle's longitudinal axis, laterally adjacent the cockpit; a transverse drive shaft from the engine to the primary drive along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a final drive fixed to the center of a symmetric independently suspended rear axle. The rear axle comprises a central shaft and two outer swing shafts such that each rear wheel is fully independently suspended through use of suspension arms, springs and shock absorbers. The chassis comprises a welded tubular aluminum space frame and is outwardly clad with body panels. The engine, gear box and clutch are of motorcycle engine design having a lateral power takeoff shaft. In a preferred embodiment the vehicle is constructed in modules wherein the power module comprises: the rear portion of the space frame; the laterally mounted engine; rear wheels and axle; power train; rear wheel suspension and the rear portion of the cockpit roll cage.
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