diesel electric

Been trying to work out why gearboxes and driveshafts and diffs are still used, especially on 4x4s, with the addition of a transfer gearbox and driveshafts at both ends. Whats wrong with an engine mated to an electric generator feeding two or four electric motors at the wheels, So much simpler , yet not utilised, unless you own a train. electric motors give max toroue from 0 revs too, just vary the engine speed depending on power requirments .

Generators are very inefficient
Probably end up doing 3mpg

Allready got one supplying 14 volts to charge the battery, Remove all the drivetrain, fit a huge one, bet the mpg woulgnt change much.petrol powered leisure generators supply enough power for domestic 240 volts, cant be that difficult for automotive applications. Some of the modern hybrids are proof of that, including huge batteries for electric travel alone.

The Lexus hybrid SUV thing is a FWD with electric motors driving the rear wheels to make it 4WD.

For rock-climbing etc, i doubt you could beat a hydraulic drive system for ridiculous torque at the wheel. Trouble is they are not much for speed.