An automobile powertrain has an engine disposed in an engine room and oriented so that its a crankshaft is directed transversely. A transmission is placed in the engine room behind the engine and has an output shaft directed parallel to the crankshaft. A propeller shaft extends in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body, and a power coupling gear train operationally couples the output shaft of the transmission to the propeller shaft. The axis of rotation of the crankshaft is positioned in front of the center axes of the front axles, and the power coupling gear train is positioned above a steering rack and/or a cross member by which the steering rack is supported.