A transverse engine is an engine in which the crankshaft is oriented side-to-side relative to the wheels of the vehicle. This is also sometimes called an east-west engine. Most front wheel drive vehicles use this engine orientation, while most rear wheel drive vehicles use a front-to-back longitudinal arrangement.

The first car to use such an arrangement was the two-cylinder DKW "Front" series of cars which first appeared in 1931. After the Second World War, the arrangement was used for the Borgward Hansa appeared, as did a few other German cars. However, it was with Alexander Issigonis's Morris Mini that the design gained acclaim in 1959.

This design reached its ultimate extent starting with Dante Giacosa's elaboration of it for Fiat. He connected the engine to its gearbox by a shaft and set the differential off-center so that it could be connected to the gearbox more easily. Now most cars built throughout the world use this arrangement.

The Lamborghini Miura used a transverse, mid-mounted 4.0 litre V12, a configuration that was unheard of in 1965.

Engine technology | 横置きエンジン