The rear-wheel drive system is a type of automobile power distribution method where the engine's power drives only the rear wheels via a driveshaft, while the front wheels are responsible for steering and bearing the vehicle's weight. For example, the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine in the BMW 840i Gran Coupe delivers 340 horsepower to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds. The advantages of rear-wheel drive include enhanced rear-wheel grip due to weight transfer to the rear during acceleration, more balanced front and rear axle load distribution for improved handling, and the elimination of torque steer issues inherent in front-wheel drive vehicles. In the Malaysian market, rear-wheel drive technology is utilized not only in high-performance internal combustion engine vehicles but also in certain electric models. For instance, the rear-wheel drive version of the BYD Seal employs an electric motor to directly power the rear wheels, with its dynamic performance further optimized by the Cloud Chariot-C body control system. Notably, rear-wheel drive systems typically incur higher maintenance costs than front-wheel drive systems due to their more distributed mechanical architecture, though their modular design facilitates easier repairs.
