Front Mid Engined: Is this the future?

[John H]

I've just picked up EVO December, and the above is the title of a lead 4 page article about a radical new chassis design from the Ferrari group. It goes on to describe how this comprises a longditudinally mounted engine at the front, set well back behind the front axle line. This is connected to an all-in-one cast gearbox/diff transaxle at the rear, the two components connected by a torque tube. This chassis concept is to be the new platform for certain Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo models. I won't trouble you with the purple prose describing all this, you can go buy the magazine.

Not once does the magazine mention how Porsche used this exact design for decades, and the implication is that this is somehow a new and fascinating discovery. Maybe Porsche gave up on the 968 idea too soon.

Plus ca change, huh?

John H

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I saw it too..

It will never catch on...[]

 

[John Boggiano]

The idea reminds me also of my little Suzuki Cappuccino. That car handled very like any of the mid-engined cars I have owned. Such a joy! I just realised, I have owned three different models of mid-engined car and FIVE such cars in total. I've never thought of that before! []

 

[944Turbo]

Front Mid Engined: Is this the future?

YES

[][][]

 

[harry]

This is not a new idea.
Mazda RX-7s used this set up long before.

Harry

 

[944Turbo]

Not familiar with the mazda, but did they have a 'torque tube' conecting the engine to the transaxle? Having now read the article I see they are actually going for a slight rearward weight bias - where Porsche went for 50:50 weight distribution.
Tony