Engineers believe that the engine probably shut itself off when it was first started because of metallic grit or other contamination between the two high-voltage grids at the rear of the advanced engine.

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The 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine shows through the rear lid of the car.

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It isn't clear what caused the fire, but Arturo Montiel, a spokesman for the highway patrol, said the fire was concentrated in the rear of the car, and not in the engine column.

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The signature piece in this car is the all-wheel-drive system, which can shunt most of the engine torque to the rear wheels as necessary and will direct more torque to the outside rear wheel in a corner to help null out understeer.

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The electric engine is installed over the rear wheels and functions off of a signal gear, produced as a joint-venture between Mercedes-Benz and Bosch.

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This vehicle brings together MQB elements that could underpin a future generation of SUVs, such as the front and rear suspensions, the 190-horsepower TDI Clean Diesel engine from the new EA288 family, and a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Mathematical models are used to simulate the rest of the car, from the gearbox and rear differential to the force exerted by the road, so that the engine is subjected to the same demands and forces as it would be in a real car.

ECONOMIST: Car design