so the other day i was thinking about the different engine layouts in cars, and thought what is the sevens layout. Obviously i know it's RWD but then i got stuck, because everyone says the sevens engine is front mounted (yes i know its at the front) but i thought thats not right is it?
Because the definition of a front mounted engine is, the engine is 'on top' or in front of the front axle. which it isn't in a seven (or a least not mine).
but the definition of a mid mounted engine is, the engine is behind the front axle and in front of the rear axle. which sounds more like the sevens layout, but i always thought a mid mounted engine was behind driver.

So does anyone know what the correct layout is on a seven?

The 7 engine is front mounted, as in it is in the front of the vehicle.
It doesn't have to be in front (or on top) of the axle...



There are many, many front engined vehicles with similar layouts!

Its simple.

A front engined car has its engine at the front.

A rear engined car has it engine at the rear.

A mid engined car has the engine where the back seat should be.

There are subtle variations to this but the basic rules still apply.

How hard can it be.

Some refer to a front mid engined car where the centre of mass of the engine is behind the line of the front axle.. but still in the front of the car.

This is a front engined Bentley...



The engine is well behind the front axle, but it has always been referred to as being 'front engined'... the engine is at the front!
Almost exactly the same as the 7.. just a damn sight bigger!

Eugene
When doing my 3year vehicle maintenance and repair course, i was told about front engine being on top or in front of axle so assumed it was correct!

Minty
Yes friend of mine suggested the same.

So it seems everyone calls it a front engine, but you got to agree it does still meet the requirements for mid mounted engine. Or am i still just nuts

Afraid you are still nuts. If the engine is in front of the driver its front engined. No ifs, no buts, its front engined.

Lets look at 2 other examples.

The Mazda MX5 first. Like the 7 the engine is probably mostly (or entirely) behind the front wheels but since the engine is in front of the driver at the front of the car its front engined.

Its main competitor at one time was the Toyota MR2. In that the engine was behind the driver but in front of the rear wheels, where the rear passengers would normally sit. Its mid engined.

Can you spot the subtle difference.

Ever heard anyone call the MX5 a mid engined car. Not on this planet.

So if the engine is behind you it does matter if its in front or behind the axle line but if its in front of you it makes no difference.
Got it.

Another example I have thought of.

I had a Mallock several years ago. As most will know its in a way a descendant of the Seven concept, basically it became the all conquering car in Clubmans racing in the 60's and despite Lotus's attempts at developing a Seven to get back in the winners circle again it never happened.

Clubmans racing was for front engines cars with fully enclosed wheels (cycle guards were permitted). Class B was for cars with ford X-Flows to Formula Ford soec and Class A was for cars with all singing, all dancing 1700 all steel x-flows.

Compared to a Seven the engine was much further back, probably a foot. The Ford gearbox in mine had a special Quaiffe tail housing that placed the gear lever in the correct place, with a standard Ford box the lever would have been way behind you.

But the cars were still Front Engined because the engine was in front of the driver.

This is a link to a car very similar to the one I owned and shows how farback the engine is.

http://www.zipp.co.uk/gallery/Gurston-Down-2011-05-29/Gary+Stephens_+Mallock+Mk+21-24 B+ID5577.jpg.html#scroll

Weren't the engines in Mallocks canted over?

Some were, gave the front a lower profile. Could cause problems for the carbs and a special dry sump was needed as well and a special bellhousing to keep the gearbox level. Mine was vertical, parts were easier to source.

Thanks. They were great cars in their time. Quite advanced with some radical thinking and bloody quick.

Caterham Zetec
Today's article in the Telegraph Motoring refers to the new MX-5 as being front mid-engined

Looks pretty sexy too, do I need to call a cab?

That'll be marketing hype then...

Eugene
Do you mean reference to it being front mid-engined or me liking the MX-5 (the latter is probably explained by me being nearly 30 )