Thread: Forget the "G Wagon".....................

fun cars, but if you get a 2CV up to 60kph and hit anything other than air you WILL die!

If you are referring to the twin front/rear engined Citroen Sahara, Not certain of the exact drivetrain layout, but unless they had a positive mechanical driveshaft connection between front and rear gearboxes, I think in serious 4wd conditions that they would suffer the same problems as did the prototype twin engined Mini Mokes during cross country tests.
Two small independantly mounted engine/transmission units are not a good substitute for a single engine with a 2 speed transfercase on steep climbs, because the low powered rear engine which due to weight transfer will have to pull a lot of the vehicles weight will tend to stall, whilst the front engine will just uselessly spin the much more lightly laden front wheels.
After test results proved unsatisfactory, BMC developed the single engine dual range Austin Ant using many Mini/1100 components, but the British armed forces purchased Land Rover lightweights instead
Bill.

Originally Posted by wagoo

If you are referring to the twin front/rear engined Citroen Sahara, Not certain of the exact drivetrain layout, but unless they had a positive mechanical driveshaft connection between front and rear gearboxes, I think in serious 4wd conditions that they would suffer the same problems as did the prototype twin engined Mini Mokes during cross country tests.
Two small independantly mounted engine/transmission units are not a good substitute for a single engine with a 2 speed transfercase on steep climbs, because the low powered rear engine which due to weight transfer will have to pull a lot of the vehicles weight will tend to stall, whilst the front engine will just uselessly spin the much more lightly laden front wheels.
After test results proved unsatisfactory, BMC developed the single engine dual range Austin Ant using many Mini/1100 components, but the British armed forces purchased Land Rover lightweights instead
Bill.

Very good point... Hadn't thought of that...

One of the few truly successful twin-engined vehicles:

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Suz...nu-04-1024.jpg

The Citroen Sahara was developed specifically for use in sand, and as far as I know had no mechanical connection between front and rear. I do not see how the problem would be any worse than a typical Landrover with an open centre diff - sure, locking it improves things, but in most situations it is not necessary.

The 2CV (and derivatives) is successful off road mainly because it has long travel suspension and very light weight. Despite manic's post, I know of no data to support their being any more dangerous than any other car of their era - for example an 80" Landrover or VW beetle. And their exceptional handling and small size makes it possible to avoid hitting a lot of things - far less likely to eitehr run off the road or roll than either of these examples.

John

Originally Posted by JDNSW

The Citroen Sahara was developed specifically for use in sand, and as far as I know had no mechanical connection between front and rear. I do not see how the problem would be any worse than a typical Landrover with an open centre diff - sure, locking it improves things, but in most situations it is not necessary.

The differences are that one can lock the centre diff on a LandRover, whereas the speed variation between front and rear wheels on the Sahara is dependant on traction and/or tractive effort that can be transmitted by the independant power units.
Also with the low range of the LandRover, drive torque is greatly multiplied and available to both axles when pulling hard, wheras with the Sahara, either engine when loaded with good traction on a climb can be stalled independantly of the other engine thus bringing the vehicle to a halt.
Bill.

Note the Series Landy walks up unimpeded!

Originally Posted by MacMan

Note the Series Landy walks up unimpeded!

Being on a 3 gig per month wireless internet plan, I am seriousely restricted with regards watching U tube videos. Which of the 2 vids show the series Landy, and how many megabytes will it cost me to view it?
Bill.

Originally Posted by wagoo

Being on a 3 gig per month wireless internet plan, I am seriousely restricted with regards watching U tube videos. Which of the 2 vids show the series Landy, and how many megabytes will it cost me to view it?
Bill.

The first vid at the ~50s mark.

Probably only a few MB.