Front-mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout

In

In contrast to the front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (FF), the center of mass of the engine is behind the front axle. This layout is typically chosen for its better weight distribution (the heaviest component is near the center of the car, lowering its moment of inertia). Many early successful (and mostly French) mass-produced front-wheel drive cars used the MF layout, until the 1959 BMC (Austin / Morris) Mini demonstrated the layout and passenger car packaging benefits of mounting the engine transversely in front of the front axle. At first – when well executed – the packaging, space utilization and user experience of MF layout, even in a subcompact or supermini, like the Renault 16 or Renault 5, made many people consider the differences between the FF and MF layouts to be minor.

However, the mid-engined layout uses central space. The FF layout has since completely supplanted the MF layout, and almost all manufacturers currently fit transverse engines.

Examples of road cars using the MF layout include the

Traditionally, the term mid-engine has been reserved for cars that place the engine and transaxle behind the driver and in front of the rear axles ^{[citation needed]}, as in the Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari Testarossa, but an engine placed in front of the driver's compartment but fully behind the front axle line also qualifies as mid-engine.

Gallery

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  Citroën Traction Avant revolutionized auto design with its low slung unibody design bodywork.
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  The 1955–1975 Citroën DS successor packed full of innovations, but retained the MF layout
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  Saab Sonett mk1 used the MF layout by turning the engine and running it "backwards".
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  The 1972 Renault 5 was one of the last successful mid-engine, front-wheel-drive cars.
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  The Nissan GT-R LM Nismo was the only Le Mans Prototype race car with a mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.

References