Matra: I have sketched engine configurations and I can't fit a 3L Flat 6 under the rear seats without the seat being too high. It is also difficult to get intake air and to take the heat away from the engine.
I don't think the Hillman Imp was particularly clever at all. Wow they managed to fit a 875cc flat 4 and a radiator into the back of a car. Another problem with trying to mount an engine under the seats, from the seat back to the front of the seat (where the floor starts) is not enough to cover the whole engine so it will only be partially under the seat. This brings forth the next issue which is that the lowest point of the seat bottom now defines the ceilling and to make enough room for a healthy sized engine that point will be ridiculously high.
With a V12 mid mounted then it will be behind the rear seats seperated by a fire wall. Having the gas tank under the rear seats isn't a problem at all.
Flat engines normally have all the ancillaries on top and there would also be turboes above the engine. Unless the rear of the car is really tall then no you can't have a decent sized luggage compartment on top. There are also other things to think of, how are you going to insulate the luggage? Where is the heat going to go from the engine now that it is again blocked from going up?
A 4 seater GT with a mid mounted engine is rare anyways as it isn't a very smart way to combine those elements. In fact I am having trouble thinking of many 4 seater GTs with mid mounted engines. I keep thinking of the Lambo. Urraco which had a 3L V8 mounted sideways. The whole idea is pretty odd.
Maybe if we need better space then a better idea would be to have a sideways mounted W8.
Yeah Why not a 4L W8 twin turbo. That would be sweet. Of course still with all the goodies that where planned already.
What do you (everyone) think about that.
A transversly mounted 4L W8?
Power, whether measured as HP, PS, or KW is what accelerates cars and gets it up to top speed. Power also determines how far you take a wall when you hit it
Engine torque is an illusion.