I can't think of any modern BMW's that are front-mid engine. The only mid-engine I recall them producing at all for the road is the M1 of the '70s. The McLaren uses a BMW engine, but that doesn't really count.

I don't think the C5 or any of the previous Vettes are front-mid either.

Aside from the S2k, the RX-7tt is the only car that comes to my mind from the last 10 years that's a front-mid.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SR71BB
[B]Front mid-engine cars of note: the Cheetah, Bizzarini's, and old TVR's.

 

Don't forget the Model T

 

Well it is but it does not display all of the handling abilities that a true mid engine car should. Go take a 914, 917, 550, rsk61, 930r, mr2, abarath, lister, tvr, out for a spin and see what you can do. I love my S2000 but it does not have nearly the track ability of my 914.

 

May 2000 Motortrend pg 50. The BMW z8. Then I look up some more at the cross sectional pics of roadsters in R&T Sept 2000, the M roadster looks like it as well(though not stated in this case). And when I talked to my friend a while back, he told me his friend's E46 M3 shares the same concept as the S2000 front midengine as well. However the only official publication I can find is the one in Motortrend I mentioned above.

 

many TVRs also have the engine located front-mid like the S2000 and Z8.

 

Here are some pics of each...none really look like front-mid to me...all look to have some of the block extending beyond the front axis line as marked by the center of the front shock towers. The Z8 looks to be the closest to a front-mid config though and I'll trust MotorTrend's judgement since I haven't seen under a Z8's hood yet. I don't think the M3 or the M Roadster come close, however.

Z8 pic 1
Z8 pic 2
E46M3 pic
M Roadster pic

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by negcamber
[B]
Here are some pics of each...none really look like front-mid to me...all look to have some of the block extending beyond the front axis line as marked by the center of the front shock towers.

 

I always hear people mentioning the NSX and the Boxter as being mid-engined. Does this mean that the engine is right in the middle of the car? From the pictures of the boxter I've seen, the passenger compartnent is in the middle, so how small *is* that engine?

I suspect that both the NSX and the Boxter have the engine entirely in front of the rear axle, making it a mid-engined car. However, if the S2000 is not a mid engine car, then the NSX and Boxter should be rear-mid engined cars =)

 

as long as the engine is locate completely between both axle, that it is a mid-engine car.

but we have to also remember:

Front-Mid engine cars like the S2000, Z8 have the weight distribution of about 50:50
mid engine (or rear-mid engine) cars like the 360, NSX have the weight distribution of about 40:60

even we consider the S2000 as a mid-engine car, it still has different driving character than the regular mid-engine cars like NSX and 360.