Car cutaway view

Choose a vehicle type and click a node on the diagram to see the details

5 Exhaust system 6 Suspension & brakes 4 Fuel tank 3 Cabin 7 Airbags 2 Transmission 1 Engine 6 Suspension & brakes

Engine

The internal combustion engine converts the energy of burning fuel into mechanical work that turns the wheels through the transmission.

Components

  • Cylinder block
  • Pistons and crankshaft
  • Cylinder head and valves
  • Timing belt or chain
  • Cooling system
  • Ignition and fuel system

Transmission

Carries torque from the powertrain to the wheels. ICE cars use a clutch or torque converter with a multi-speed gearbox; EVs typically use a single-speed reduction gear.

Components

  • Clutch or torque converter (ICE)
  • Gearbox (manual, automatic, or reduction gear)
  • Driveshaft and half-shafts
  • Differential
  • Wheel drive shafts

Cabin

The cabin brings together the controls, seating and comfort systems for the driver and passengers.

Components

  • Dashboard and controls
  • Steering wheel and pedals
  • Front and rear seats
  • Climate control system
  • Seatbelts and airbags

Airbags

Airbags are part of the passive safety system: fabric cushions that inflate in milliseconds during a crash to cushion the head and body, working together with the seatbelts.

Components

  • Front airbags (driver and passenger)
  • Side and curtain airbags
  • Impact sensors
  • Control unit (SRS)
  • Gas inflators

Fuel tank

The fuel tank stores the fuel supply and delivers it to the engine via an electronic pump.

Components

  • Tank body
  • Filler neck and cap
  • Fuel pump
  • Fuel lines
  • Fuel level sensor

Exhaust system

The exhaust system carries away and cleans exhaust gases, reducing noise and harmful emissions.

Components

  • Exhaust manifold
  • Catalytic converter
  • Oxygen (lambda) sensor
  • Resonator and muffler
  • Tailpipe

Suspension & brakes

The suspension absorbs road irregularities, while the brake system provides controlled deceleration.

Components

  • Coil spring
  • Shock absorber (strut)
  • Control arms
  • Brake disc and caliper
  • Wheel hub
7 Exhaust system 8 Suspension & brakes 5 Traction battery 4 Fuel tank 3 Cabin 7 Airbags 2 Electric motor 1 Engine (ICE) 8 Suspension & brakes

Engine (ICE)

The internal combustion engine converts the energy of burning fuel into mechanical work that turns the wheels through the transmission.

Components

  • Cylinder block
  • Pistons and crankshaft
  • Cylinder head and valves
  • Timing belt or chain
  • Cooling system
  • Ignition and fuel system

Electric motor

The electric motor converts electrical energy into torque, and under braking it works in reverse as a generator, recharging the battery.

Components

  • Stator and rotor
  • Inverter
  • Reduction gear
  • Motor cooling system

Traction battery

A small traction battery stores regenerative braking energy and powers the electric motor at low speeds, reducing fuel consumption.

Components

  • Lithium-ion modules
  • Battery management system (BMS)
  • Battery cooling system
  • High-voltage power connectors

Cabin

The cabin brings together the controls, seating and comfort systems for the driver and passengers.

Components

  • Dashboard and controls
  • Steering wheel and pedals
  • Front and rear seats
  • Climate control system
  • Seatbelts and airbags

Airbags

Airbags are part of the passive safety system: fabric cushions that inflate in milliseconds during a crash to cushion the head and body, working together with the seatbelts.

Components

  • Front airbags (driver and passenger)
  • Side and curtain airbags
  • Impact sensors
  • Control unit (SRS)
  • Gas inflators

Fuel tank

The fuel tank stores the fuel supply and delivers it to the engine via an electronic pump.

Components

  • Tank body
  • Filler neck and cap
  • Fuel pump
  • Fuel lines
  • Fuel level sensor

Exhaust system

The exhaust system carries away and cleans exhaust gases, reducing noise and harmful emissions.

Components

  • Exhaust manifold
  • Catalytic converter
  • Oxygen (lambda) sensor
  • Resonator and muffler
  • Tailpipe

Suspension & brakes

The suspension absorbs road irregularities, while the brake system provides controlled deceleration.

Components

  • Coil spring
  • Shock absorber (strut)
  • Control arms
  • Brake disc and caliper
  • Wheel hub
5 Suspension & brakes 1 Traction battery 2 Cabin 7 Airbags 3 Electric motor 3 Electric motor 4 Charging port 5 Suspension & brakes

Traction battery

A large traction battery occupies nearly the entire floor space between the axles and serves as the main energy source for driving.

Components

  • Lithium-ion modules
  • Battery management system (BMS)
  • Battery cooling system
  • High-voltage power connectors

Cabin

The cabin brings together the controls, seating and comfort systems for the driver and passengers.

Components

  • Dashboard and controls
  • Steering wheel and pedals
  • Front and rear seats
  • Climate control system
  • Seatbelts and airbags

Airbags

Airbags are part of the passive safety system: fabric cushions that inflate in milliseconds during a crash to cushion the head and body, working together with the seatbelts.

Components

  • Front airbags (driver and passenger)
  • Side and curtain airbags
  • Impact sensors
  • Control unit (SRS)
  • Gas inflators

Electric motor

The electric motor converts electrical energy into torque, and under braking it works in reverse as a generator, recharging the battery.

Components

  • Stator and rotor
  • Inverter
  • Reduction gear
  • Motor cooling system

Charging port

The charging port connects the car to an external power source — from a household outlet to a fast charging station.

Components

  • Charging port connector
  • Onboard charger
  • Cable and port cover
  • Charging status indicator

Suspension & brakes

The suspension absorbs road irregularities, while the brake system provides controlled deceleration.

Components

  • Coil spring
  • Shock absorber (strut)
  • Control arms
  • Brake disc and caliper
  • Wheel hub