Rear engine, front wheel drive?
Discussion
Chaps,
I am sure that this has been covered somewhere before, but I can't find the thread.
So, has there ever been produced a rear-engined, front wheel drive car? Failing that, a mid-engined, front wheel drive car? I can think of an example of every other configuration, but not this one.
Suggestions, anyone?
Oli.
Edited to say - OK, I mis-spelled the thread title. Anyone who wants to change it, please do.
>>> Edited by zcacogp on Thursday 10th June 13:55
I am sure that this has been covered somewhere before, but I can't find the thread.
So, has there ever been produced a rear-engined, front wheel drive car? Failing that, a mid-engined, front wheel drive car? I can think of an example of every other configuration, but not this one.
Suggestions, anyone?
Oli.
Edited to say - OK, I mis-spelled the thread title. Anyone who wants to change it, please do.
>>> Edited by zcacogp on Thursday 10th June 13:55
Sort-of has. The Lotus Elan ('89-'95) had FWD and it's engine cradle and front suspension was mounted on rafts attatched to the middle of the chassis. It was 4WD handling without the bulk, FWD without the understeer, RWD dynamics without the oversteer.
Must be disarming to drive. Essentially it's a compact mid engined FWD car, that just appears to have it's engine in the front.
Must be disarming to drive. Essentially it's a compact mid engined FWD car, that just appears to have it's engine in the front.
IIRC someone once built a hillclimb mini with a V8 in the back and front wheel drive.
I expect it was a disaster?
as for mid engine FWD cars, if you define 'mid engine' as meaning that the engine is somewhere between the centrelines of the front and rear axles, then there are probably a few mid engine FWD cars around - Renault 25 and original Renault 5 for example.
I expect it was a disaster?
as for mid engine FWD cars, if you define 'mid engine' as meaning that the engine is somewhere between the centrelines of the front and rear axles, then there are probably a few mid engine FWD cars around - Renault 25 and original Renault 5 for example.
v8thunder said:
Sort-of has. The Lotus Elan ('89-'95) had FWD and it's engine cradle and front suspension was mounted on rafts attatched to the middle of the chassis. It was 4WD handling without the bulk, FWD without the understeer, RWD dynamics without the oversteer.
Must be disarming to drive. Essentially it's a compact mid engined FWD car, that just appears to have it's engine in the front.
And for the record, the front wheel drive Elan of the early 90's had amazing handling.
The engine was so far back in the body, the weight distribution was very good, and understeer seemingly non existant.
The car covered cross country lanes SO quickly it was just awesome ( if a little TOO good if anything, feeling like it was connected to rails ..)
toppstuff said:
Sort-of has. The Lotus Elan ('89-'95) had FWD and it's engine cradle and front suspension was mounted on rafts attatched to the middle of the chassis. It was 4WD handling without the bulk, FWD without the understeer, RWD dynamics without the oversteer.
Must be disarming to drive. Essentially it's a compact mid engined FWD car, that just appears to have it's engine in the front.
And for the record, the front wheel drive Elan of the early 90's had amazing handling.
The engine was so far back in the body, the weight distribution was very good, and understeer seemingly non existant.
The car covered cross country lanes SO quickly it was just awesome ( if a little TOO good if anything, feeling like it was connected to rails ..)
It's in my 'must own at some point in my life' list. I'm surprised it wasn't raced, actually.
toppstuff said:Hmm. Not sure - there isn't much in front of the engine, although I'll agree that it is fairly far back:
The engine was so far back in the body,
toppstuff said:Yes, this splits drivers into two camps - those that love it because you can't get it out of shape, and those who hate it for precisely the same reason.
... the weight distribution was very good, and understeer seemingly non existant.
The car covered cross country lanes SO quickly it was just awesome ( if a little TOO good if anything, feeling like it was connected to rails
Eric Mc said:
There was at least one Miller front wheel drive Indy Car pre war. Technically it would be front engined but, being a racing car, the engine would have been placed well back in the chassis. It was featured in the 1990 BBC series "The Power and the Glory".
www.milleroffy.com/miller_122_frontdrive_rear_web.jpg
I think that's as close as anybody will get. Harry Miller was a genius, very much America's Colin Chapman in the 20's.
Harry
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