Abstract: This invention relates to rear-wheel driven automobiles having an underhung carriage, an engine located at the front end, and a rear passenger compartment having a floor. In particular, the invention relates to a segmented drive shaft for transmitting rotation from the engine to the rear wheels, which is supported substantially below the floor. In this manner, the floor has a transmission tunnel of reduced size so that the floor is relatively flat. In the preferred embodiment the segmented drive shaft comprises three elements, between an output shaft of the transmission of the engine and a pinion of a rear differential. The first element is inclined downwardly from front to back, the second element is substantially parallel to the floor, and the third element may be inclined upwardly from front to back. The second element of the segmented drive shaft may comprise an outer non-rotating tube and an inner rotating tube, and lubrication fluid may also be provided therebetween.