Cars with mid engine FWD layout?

[FeelingLucky]

Lordbenny said:

It's not really mid engined is it? The DS has just got a long bonnet, the engine still sits just behind the front wheels.

One of the best posts I've ever seen on PH

[kambites]

FeelingLucky said:

Lordbenny said:

It's not really mid engined is it? The DS has just got a long bonnet, the engine still sits just behind the front wheels.

One of the best posts I've ever seen on PH

It's a fair point, the vast majority of people would not consider that to be mid-engined.

To me the term "mid-engined", without further qualification, means with the engine between the passenger cell and the rear axle line. If someone said "mid-engined FWD" I'd assume they meant that but only because as far as I know no-one has been daft enough to make a real mid-engined FWD car.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 31st August 18:23

[Lordbenny]

kambites said:

To me the term "mid-engined", without further qualification, means with the engine between the passenger cell and the rear axle line. If someone said "mid-engined FWD" I'd assume they meant that but only because as far as I know no-one has been daft enough to make a real mid-engined FWD car.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 31st August 18:23

That's exactly what I was getting at! Mid engined cars can't have the engine infront of the driver...IMO!

[carl_w]

Jonny_ said:

Can't think of any other examples, although I'm sure I recall reading, a few years ago, about a particular RWD car whose engine was deliberately positioned behind the front axle line to improve its balance and handling.

I read the same quote. I think it was about the McMerc SLR, and it may have been Gordon Murray who said it.

[Puddenchucker]

carl_w said:

Jonny_ said:

Can't think of any other examples, although I'm sure I recall reading, a few years ago, about a particular RWD car whose engine was deliberately positioned behind the front axle line to improve its balance and handling.

I read the same quote. I think it was about the McMerc SLR, and it may have been Gordon Murray who said it.

The first time I read the phrase 'Front-mid engine' it was referring to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

[mybrainhurts]

Vitafoam built a racing Mini in the 60s with a Rover V8 in the back, driving the front wheels. It didn't go round bends very well...

[thegreenhell]

mybrainhurts said:

Vitafoam built a racing Mini in the 60s with a Rover V8 in the back, driving the front wheels. It didn't go round bends very well...

The MiniBuick, or VitaMin.

http://www.jdclassics.co.uk/showrooms/Mini-Cooper-...

[The Vambo]

thegreenhell said:

The MiniBuick, or VitaMin.

http://www.jdclassics.co.uk/showrooms/Mini-Cooper-...

All of that hassle for 155 bhp, bloody boat anchor.

[carl_w]

Puddenchucker said:

The first time I read the phrase 'Front-mid engine' it was referring to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

TVR Cerbera also had the engine behind the front axle IIRC.

[feef]

Saab Sonett MK1

BSA Scout

Citroen Traction Avant

[LaurasOtherHalf]

kambites said:

FeelingLucky said:

Lordbenny said:

It's not really mid engined is it? The DS has just got a long bonnet, the engine still sits just behind the front wheels.

One of the best posts I've ever seen on PH

It's a fair point, the vast majority of people would not consider that to be mid-engined.

To me the term "mid-engined", without further qualification, means with the engine between the passenger cell and the rear axle line. If someone said "mid-engined FWD" I'd assume they meant that but only because as far as I know no-one has been daft enough to make a real mid-engined FWD car.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 31st August 18:23

Jesus wept

[saaby93]

I think I need to clarify that mid engine means the engine near the middle i.e between the two axles.
and FWD means the driven wheels are at the front

[kambites]

I think everyone (well almost everyone) understood what you meant. There's not much else that mid-engined FWD could mean.

[saaby93]

kambites said:

I think everyone (well almost everyone) understood what you meant. There's not much else that mid-engined FWD could mean.

I enjoyed the MX5 and MGF posts

[Hugo a Gogo]

dozens and dozens (if not hundreds and hundreds) of cars are Front Mid Rear layout, front engine, behind the front axle line, rear wheel drive

I don't think any current cars have the mid-engine front drive layout

[kambites]

Hugo a Gogo said:

I don't think any current cars have the mid-engine front drive layout

Well it is a slightly daft design. You get even worse traction than front engined FWD because there's less weight over the driven wheels and you lose cabin space for a given wheelbase.

[AW111]

ISTR Triumph had a longitudinal FWD prototype (in the 60's or 70's I think).

Where was the engine in that relative to the front axle?



ETA I don't like calling a car with the engine in the front "mid engined", but as the term gets (mis)applied to front engined RWD cars by some, front engined FWD has an equally valid claim.

Edited by AW111 on Monday 1st September 10:07

[coppice]

I think it is disingenous to talk about mid engined meaning something where the engine is in the front , but behind the axle line. It may technically be correct but on planet earth if a headline reads 'new mid engined MX5' does anybody really expect to encounter anything other than an engine behind the driver and in front of the rear wheels?

[Hugo a Gogo]

coppice said:

I think it is disingenous to talk about mid engined meaning something where the engine is in the front , but behind the axle line. It may technically be correct but on planet earth if a headline reads 'new mid engined MX5' does anybody really expect to encounter anything other than an engine behind the driver and in front of the rear wheels?

but if you read about mid engine FWD, then that is what you mean, the engine behind the axle

like this Gordini engined Renault 4

[coppice]

Mid engined fwd means an R8 with malfunctioning transmission to me- sorry.