The invention relates to a drive apparatus (1) for a motor vehicle, having a hollow portal axle (2) which accommodates two electrical machines (4), with in each case one wheel (12) being rotatably mounted in the region of the two ends of the portal axle (2) and it being possible for each wheel (12) to be driven by means of the electrical machine (4) which is associated with said wheel, and having a step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) which is arranged between the respective electrical machine (4) and the wheel (12) which is associated with said electrical machine. The object of the present invention is to provide, in a drive apparatus of this kind, a separate connection from the respective wheel to the step-down gear mechanism, said connection permitting the wheel to be mounted in a non-rigid manner. According to the invention, provision is made for the respective step-down gear mechanism (8, 9) to be connected to the wheel (12) which is associated with this step- down gear mechanism (8, 9) by means of a cardan shaft (10).