Final answer:
The transmission output shaft transfers torque to the drive shaft, which is the component that connects to the rest of the drivetrain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transmission output shaft is a key component in a vehicle's powertrain. Its primary function is to transfer torque from the transmission to the rest of the drivetrain.
When asking where this torque is transferred to, the correct answer is the drive shaft. The drive shaft is the long tube that transmits mechanical power from the transmission to the other components of the drivetrain, including the differential, which then passes the torque to the wheels.
The output shaft itself does not transfer torque directly to the rear U-joint or the differential assembly; those are merely parts of the overall drivetrain system that are downstream of the drive shaft.