View source for Front-mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout

{{Short description|Motor vehicle layout}}
[[Image:Automotive diagrams 07 En.png|thumb|275px|FMF layout]]

In [[automotive design]], a '''front-[[mid-engine design|mid-engine]], [[front-wheel-drive]] layout''' (also called more simply "mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout", and abbreviated '''MF''' or '''FMF''') is one in which the front road wheels are driven by an [[internal-combustion engine]] placed just behind them, in front of the passenger compartment.<ref name="VM">{{cite web| url=https://virtualmotoring2.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/front-wheel-drive-fwd-layouts/|title=Front Wheel Drive (FWD) layouts|last=|first=|date=21 July 2012|work=Virtual Motoring|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="CBT">{{cite web| url=https://carbiketech.com/mid-engine-layout/
|title=What Is Mid Engine Layout And What Are Its Benefits?|last=|first=|date=9 June 2017|work=Car Bike Team|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Kaunas">{{cite journal| url=https://www.ijisrt.com/assets/upload/files/IJISRT21JUN446.pdf|journal=  Kaunas University of Technology Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design|title= Stability of Car Layout|first=Sai |last=Veeresh|date=6 June 2021|publisher=International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Autoevolution">{{cite web| url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/engine-layouts-your-guide-to-what-ff-rmr-and-all-in-between-mean-113323.html|work=Autoevolution|title=Engine Layouts - Your Guide To What FF, RMR, And All In Between Mean|date=30 November 2016|last=Toma|first=Sebastian|access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>

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 [[Mini|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.

[[File:Chassisroulant.JPG|thumb|[[Renault 4]] [[rolling chassis]]]] 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 [[Cord Automobile|Cord 810]], [[BSA Scout]], [[Citroën Traction Avant]], [[Citroën DS]], [[Renault 4]] (and derivatives R5 and R6), [[Renault 16]], [[Saab 900]], [[Saab Sonett]] I, the [[Citroën SM]], and the [[Mitsubishi FTO]], as well as some commercial vehicles like the [[Tempo (automobile)|Tempo]] Matador. These vehicles have [[Longitudinal engine|longitudinal]] mounted engines; [[Transverse engine|transverse]] engined vehicles are possible in theory if the issue of passenger footwell location is addressed. The [[Toyota iQ]] comes close to this by having its front differential in front of the engine,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/toyota-iq-six-degrees-of-innovation/5578/|title=TOYOTA IQ: SIX DEGREES OF INNOVATION – NO1|date=22 October 2008|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> however despite this, the iQ is still considered to have an [[FF layout]].

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|date=March 2009}}, 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 ==
<gallery mode="packed">
Citroën Berline 7A aka Traction (very very early one) 1303cc 1934.JPG|[[Citroën Traction Avant]] revolutionized auto design with its low slung unibody design bodywork.
1973 Citroën D Spécial sedan (2011-05-12) 02.jpg|The 1955–1975 [[Citroën DS]] successor packed full of innovations, but retained the MF layout
Sonett-mk1-red.jpg|[[Saab Sonett]] mk1 used the MF layout by turning the engine and running it "backwards".
Renault 5 First generation with 5 doors in Spain.jpg|The 1972 [[Renault 5]] was one of the last successful mid-engine, front-wheel-drive cars.
Nissan Motorsports - Nissan GT-R LM Nismo -23 (18860958202).jpg|The [[Nissan GT-R LM Nismo]] was the only Le Mans Prototype race car with a front-mid-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}


{{Automobile configuration}}

[[Category:Car layouts]]