Define a "mid engine car" for me... | FerrariChat

Define a "mid engine car" for me...

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by 11506apollo, Oct 6, 2019.

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  1. 11506apollo

    11506apollo Formula 3
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    It is puzzling to me that a so called "mid engine car" is one with the engine/block forward of the rear axle.....
    .....however, if the engine/block is behind the front axle.....its not a "mid engine car"?
    Try and explain that to me if you can....
     
  2. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    I hear a lot of manufacturers refer to "front mid engined" for an engine behind the front axle.
     
  3. Nativetroy

    Nativetroy F1 Veteran
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    I consider a true mid engine car to be one where the engine is behind the driver and before the rear axle. Front engine would be over or in front of the rear axle. Rear the opposite. Some cars do have front engines that are behind the front axle. Corvette. 370z, I think the SLR was like this. I think Nissan coined the front/mid term.
     
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  4. 11506apollo

    11506apollo Formula 3
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    My technical mind would be much happier if the world adopted Rear mid engine and front mid engine, just for the sake of accuracy and proper geometry
     
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  5. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    You are asking the general public to define a term that is in "general use"

    Fee people ask for anything other than a Kleenex and when people want a cola. They typically ask for a coke...

    Yes a mid engine car is anything between the axles.

    Don't expect the public to follow. especially now that the whole internal combustion engine thing is in its twilight
     
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  6. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    Nov 20, 2003
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    So...

    Does a front mid-engined car need to be front wheel drive transverse engine?

    If not, there are very few front-engined cars...

    Matt
     
  7. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    NO. Of course not.

    Rear mids don't have to have transverse engines, do they????
     
  8. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    So this would be a mid front engined car?

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  9. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Yes. The engine is behind the front axle on the Bug.
     
  10. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    And also on the Vette and even Camaros for years.
     
  11. dwhite

    dwhite F1 Rookie

    My 69 TVR was front mid engine and had 50/50 weight ditribution and was 150lbs heavier on the right side to compensate for the driver, all from the factory. Only car which had a higher skidpad g-force in the stats at the back of R&T was a Dino at like .85gs.

    Mid engine is when the engine resides in the chassis completely behind the front axel and completely forward of the rear axel.
     

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