A drive system includes a first planetary device at least selectively coupled to a first electromagnetic device, a second planetary device coupled to a second electromagnetic device and directly coupled to the first planetary device, an engine directly coupled to the first planetary device with a connecting shaft, and an output shaft coupled to the first planetary device. The first and second electromagnetic devices include a first shaft and a second shaft, respectively. The connecting shaft extends through the second electromagnetic device and through the second planetary device to the first planetary device. The first shaft, the second shaft, the first planetary device, the second planetary device, the connecting shaft, and the output shaft are radially aligned, forming a straight-thru transmission arrangement.