Several embodiments of power units particularly adapted for transverse engine operation for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle. In all of the embodiments, the axles are disposed on one side of the engine and a change speed transmission is located on the other side of the engine. The change speed transmissiion is driven from a gearing arrangement located between the ends of the crankshaft and in some embodiments torsional vibration dampers are included in the drive for the change speed transmission. Vibration dampers are affixed to one or both ends of the crankshaft in some embodiments and an auxiliary shaft is driven from the transmission primary shaft for operating the camshafts of the engine.