Gräf, the first front-wheel drive car
12/17/2011
This was the first car in the world to be equipped with front-wheel drive and anticipated the most important design features of today's front-wheel drive cars. Even before the turn of the 20th century, the Gräf brothers , together with Heinrich Pösendeiner, developed the revolutionary concept of arranging the entire drive unit above the front axle. However, the time was not yet ripe for series production, as the drive joints of the time did not meet the requirements.
Only two prototypes were built. Today, this design is generally used in small cars for reasons of space, but is often used in larger cars.
In this model, power was transmitted via a conical clutch to the two-speed gearbox (with reverse gear), from there via differential and universal joints to the front wheels.
This first front-wheel drive car, which used a single-cylinder DeDion enginefor propulsion, was manufactured by the Gräf brothers between 1897 and 1900.
