Minäkään en näe miten Merkavan nopeus olisi johtanut moottorin sijoittamiseen eteen, vaan pikemminkin päinvastoin niin että lähtökohdaksi valittiin suoja nopeuden kustannuksella, joka johti nopeuden kärsimiseen. Yksi ratkaisu suojan saamiseksi oli sitten etumoottori, mutta en tarkoita että etumoottori olisi hidastava tekijä. (Tosin enhän minä panssarivaunujen voimansiirrosta tiedä, mutta onhan sitä nopeita etumoottorisia autojakin. )
"A behemoth of an MBT, the Merkava proved a truly unique design with the turret and fighting compartment situated at the rear of the tank; the engine was placed up front, providing the crew with additional armoured protection. Because of the experience of IDF tank units in 1967 and particularly in the 1973 War, it was crucial to Maj.-Gen Tal that the new tank be user-friendly in terms of maintenance. Tanks suffering minor hits on the Golan Heights during the 1973 War, for example, were often out of action for up to 24 hours while engines were replaced. The Merkava would have easy access to the engine compartment to afford quick battlefield maintenance and even replacement. According to reports, Tal and his design crew were adamant that, under battlefield conditions, the engine could be replaced in under 60 minutes."
https://books.google.fi/books?id=fMPBnytpopgC&pg
"A behemoth of an MBT, the Merkava proved a truly unique design with the turret and fighting compartment situated at the rear of the tank; the engine was placed up front, providing the crew with additional armoured protection. Because of the experience of IDF tank units in 1967 and particularly in the 1973 War, it was crucial to Maj.-Gen Tal that the new tank be user-friendly in terms of maintenance. Tanks suffering minor hits on the Golan Heights during the 1973 War, for example, were often out of action for up to 24 hours while engines were replaced. The Merkava would have easy access to the engine compartment to afford quick battlefield maintenance and even replacement. According to reports, Tal and his design crew were adamant that, under battlefield conditions, the engine could be replaced in under 60 minutes."
https://books.google.fi/books?id=fMPBnytpopgC&pg