Best Front-Engine Car Ever

[PerfAdv]

...
In my book, pointing out anything is entirely 'acceptable' as long as it is true & accurate. And yes there are cars with engines entirely ahead of axle centreline

Engine placed entirely ahead of the front axle is news to me, especially the longitudinally mounted Gregoire MetA mentioned, live and learn...

As for FWD cars, the engine kinda straddles the axle-line, canted over it. Or do FF cars actually hang most of the engine mass in front of the axle centerline.

What's a good source of engine placement? Road & Track magazine used to provide a outline drawing of the cars with their roadtests but lately have stopped doing it.

[Matra et Alpine]

As for FWD cars, the engine kinda straddles the axle-line, canted over it. Or do FF cars actually hang most of the engine mass in front of the axle centerline.

"most" cant the engine backwards to got some of it over the diff.
The general layout is engine , gearbox to one side and diff to rear of gearbox, thus putting the block in front of the axle line. Trygin to get it further back compromises the height and handling much more than the few inches of for-aft difference

What's a good source of engine placement? Road & Track magazine used to provide a outline drawing of the cars with their roadtests but lately have stopped doing it.

I know it's a bummer, I tried to find the QP
Like you said car mags USED to do lots it but dont' see many now !!

[PerfAdv]

Perf ? You sure the new Maser isn't' front-mid ?
I can't find any pics of the engine bay BUT that transmission tunnel is HUGE so the 'box is obviously pushed way back which might suggest that it's front-mid.

Mounted far enough back in the engine bay for an equitable 47/53 percent front/rear weight distribution, it's mated to a six-speed sequential manual gearbox that has an automatic mode.

I thought it might have been front-mid but couldn't find any evidence. As front-mid is so touted as a technologically advanced feature I figured they'd at least mention it.

It might just be that Maserati dont' feel the need to feed the fanboys with the "front-mid" hype knowing the car will sell itself
Got any engine bay pics or cutaways ??

There also is no mention of front-mid even on the Maserati site. It very well be that Maserati don't want to bring attention to this type to technical detail. Their website is very uninformative seemingly catering to the Art gallery/cocktail party set and not technical enthusiasts.

It's always possible to do other things to get weight distribution better - but usually at a cost. My A610 has the power steering and air con and battery located in the front wings beneath the headlights and the radiator and ECU in between -- with the ENGINE at the back. Got the weight issues of the GTA resolved BUT is a repair/maintenance nightmare !! ( one only the French would undertake )

I remember reading when the last Camaro was redesigned the engine was stuffed as far back as possible and as a result changing the sparkplugs hidden under the dash required a special tool.

[nota]

If people acknowledge that there is a very distinct difference between a "rear" engined car, and a "mid" engined car, where in both instances the engine is behind the driver, then why is there such resistance to accepting that the same distinct difference exists between "front" and "mid" where the engine is ahead of the driver?

If you think that calling a front-mid engine layout "mid engined" too fussy and pedantic, surely all rear-mid layouts should strictly be refered to as "rear engined"?

That's it, Coventry

Likewise with Traction Avant example, whether 'frontal' or 'rearward' imo a mid is a mid is a mid. Apart from Talbo(t) another vehicle model that springs to mind might be the long-running Lotus Clubman. Under the Matra mantra earlier Clubmans are front engined - yet newer ones (of the same basic design) are now mid engined! This makes little sense

So to those who keep insisting, I pose this question: exactly WHEN in did this transmogrification occur? (precise day not required, month/year will suffice)

ps: as for my 'pedant' remark I was refering to self

[henk4]

Engine placed entirely ahead of the front axle is news to me, especially the longitudinally mounted Gregoire MetA mentioned, live and learn...

All Audi's are still built on this principle, and many French cars such as the Panhard, had it as well. Here is a pic of the Devin Panhard racer, (Laguna Seca 2005)

[PerfAdv]

All Audi's are still built on this principle, and many French cars such as the Panhard, had it as well. Here is a pic of the Devin Panhard racer, (Laguna Seca 2005)

In modern Audis it isn't as apparent but visualizing how Quattro is setup, engine placement in front of the axle is a necessity.

The Panhard's front overhanging placement is so extreme it reminds me of the Morgan Supersports. Not a good placement in even minor frontal crash, for engine health.

[henk4]

In modern Audis it isn't as apparent but visualizing how Quattro is setup, engine placement in front of the axle is a necessity.

The Panhard's front overhanging placement is so extreme it reminds me of the Morgan Supersports. Not a good placement in even minor frontal crash, for engine health.

no problem, these engines were air cooled

and here is the Gregoire engine...

[nota]

2cv ?

[henk4]

2cv ?

Remember we disucssed the stick shift of the 2CV? It was there because the gearbox is in front on the engine....(Just like the R4 )

[kingofthering]

at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, the Nissan Skyline GT-R is a good front engine car. Unfortunately, the weight is its weakness.

[Matra et Alpine]

Under the Matra mantra earlier Clubmans are front engined - yet newer ones (of the same basic design) are now mid engined! This makes little sense

Correct because nothing has changed and any sensible reader would criucify a marketing release that made that suggestiong. Front is front. Front-mid is front to sell to the pseudo-techno-nerds who dont' knwo any better perhaps

So to those who keep insisting, I pose this question: exactly WHEN in did this transmogrification occur? (precise day not required, month/year will suffice)

I suggest it was when a marketing person was trygin to make a good sellign name for the excellent design idea ( possibly already implemetned by many others ) as something SPECIAL and saw the buyer as msot interested in mid-engine sportscars. Trying to woo them he/she wanted to use the "mid" word

As said before etymology is fun but very seldom can you identify the first use. I suggest this one could be tracked down though if we track back those makers who needed to sell against Ferrari with their models

[rev440]

Shelby 427, AAR Cuda, 340 T/A Challanger, C5 Z06.

[F1_Master]

I would choose the 575M SuperAmerica as my most-preferred.

The Best is probably the SLR McLaren, but I'd take the Maranello.

[Cyco]

The Classic 900 and iirc earlier Saabs had a engine almost entirely ahead of the axles. Saab believed 60/40 weight distrubtion was better on the snow. If I mine ever sees snow I will report back on this.

Of my favorites I thing the AM DB4 GT would have to be right at the top of the list.

[Mustang]

Mk1
Ford Escort Mk1
Engine:
2200cc 16v All Steel JRE (John Read Engines) Vauxhall XE
Doug Kiddy Crank
Arrows Rods
JE Pistons
Dry sumped
Jenvey direct to head throttle bodys
Motec management

Producing: 282bhp | 206lb/ft

Gearbox:
Glebe 5 sp. dog box

Axle:
FFTT Atlas axle with alloy brace
4.6:1 CWP. on Motor Sport LSD
4link plus watts linkage

Brakes:
Front:
315mm discs with Radial Mount AP Calipers
Rear:
300mm with Billet Wilwood Dynalite Calipers

Suspension:
Front:
Adjustable Ride Height 300/70 "Short" Bilstein Struts
"In Situ" Adjustable Track Control Arms
"In Situ" Adjustable Compression Struts
Anti Roll Bar
Track Width is increased by 70mm
Electric Power Assisted Steering coupled to a Tilton High Ratio steering rack
Rear:
Shocks are turreted Leda 2 way adjustable remote reservoir taking 2 1/4" diameter springs

The body shell is the key to this car as every effort has been made to keep the mass of the car central, i.e. the engine and box has been moved back 14" to just behind the cross member. This has also allowed the the engine and box to be mounted lower in the shell.

The fuel tank swirl pot punps and filters have all been mounted between the 4 link boxes and then covered with a custom alloy fire wall.

Specification also includes custom alloy dash with SPA rev counter and an array of Racetech instruments, custom alloy switch console, alloy gear lever and gear knob, heated screen, poly carb windows, plus lots more, all parts new.









Or Mk2 escort