Unconventional Engines

In automotive engineering, a single question persists: does function follow form, or is it form that follows function? This query has long divided the minds of designers and engineers alike.

Even in modern times, the debate remains unresolved, but we have at least resolved the age-old puzzle of the chicken and the egg. Yet, in the bygone era, engineers faced the challenge of fitting powerful engines into sleek, compact bodies, while designers struggled to mold vehicles around the confines of the engine.

Today, let us embark on a journey through the annals of automotive history to explore the fascinating world of early designs; that dared to place engines in unconventional configurations. And even push the limits of automotive engineering.

Instead of the traditional front-wheel-drive setup with a transverse-mounted engine or its longitudinal counterpart, let’s deep dive into the alternate side of the quirky solutions that emerged in the past but were never reproduced by their creators.

Sometimes, the absence of revisiting a technical breakthrough may signify that what seemed right at the time, but was not destined to endure. Or perhaps, these ideas were too costly or were not embraced by the heads of various departments for a multitude of reasons, leaving us to wonder why their original creators never breathed life into them again.

The first on our list is a Swedish classic.

Behold the Saab 900's first generation; seemingly a regular hatchback at first glance. However, hidden beneath its unassuming exterior lies a marvel - a 45-degree slanted inline-four cylinder engine, mounted longitudinally. And even more, a daring twist that defies convention, for this power plant feeds the primary gear of the transmission from the front of the vehicle. Yes, you heard it right; from the front.

Saab's ingenuity extends further with a transaxle gearbox design, serving as the engine's oil pan and a receiver of its power through chain-driven gears. While Mini adopted a similar approach, Saab's solution deviates by keeping the oil sump separate from the transmission.

Why this audacious design? Well, it's to accommodate a narrow, front-wheel-drive car with a low hood line and still make room for a double-wishbone front suspension. Yet, for all its brilliance, the unconventional powertrain proved less dependable than expected, with the transmission bearing the brunt of its weaknesses.


Next on our list could be considered a forgotten Japanese legend.
Venturing forth, we encounter Honda's third-generation Vigor and the inaugural Acura TL, bearing an unprecedented five-cylinder engine from the Japanese automaker. An intriguing choice, seldom seen in Honda vehicles, accompanied solely by this model duo.

However, the real intrigue lies in the engine's slanted orientation, and its transmission attached to it. The unique configuration continues with an asymmetrically installed limited-slip differential, deploying half shafts that power the front wheels.

Embracing a mid-front powertrain setup, the engine nestles slightly behind the front wheels, bestowing a superior weight distribution across the axles. At the time it was a remarkable feat that left us in awe. Sadly, Honda bid farewell to this setup after the Acura TL's generation shift, never to repeat the performance in its subsequent engines.

Next up is an underrated minivan.

In the 1990s, Toyota dared to embark on an unconventional path when they introduced the Previa minivan. It was quite ahead of its time by using a mid-engine layout, coupled with rear-wheel-drive and even a supercharged engine variant. Furthermore, an all-wheel-drive iteration dubbed All-Trac joined forces with the supercharged marvel.

Yet, the pièce de résistance was the engine's 75-degree angle placement beneath the front seats, an engineering marvel we couldn't help but admire. Toyota chose not to revisit this daring configuration, but we cherish the memory of this automotive wonder.

Surprisingly, servicing a mid-engined minivan proved an unexpectedly simple task, with the spark plugs easily accessible by removing the passenger seat and an access panel. All ancillary components conveniently resided under the hood, driven by an accessory driveshaft. Notably, the Previa boasted a remarkable 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, a stunning achievement for a minivan.

Next on our list is an Italian masterpiece.


Ah, the iconic Lamborghini Miura, a pioneer in the mid-engined two-seat class, is forever etched into automotive history. The configuration now graces supercars and hypercars alike, but in its early days, an audacious novelty brought to life by the brilliance of three top engineers who passionately crafted the prototype during their spare moments.