Are mid-engined cars safer than front engined cars in a head on collision?

Question

Such as an MR2. I thought that they would be because the front of the mid-engined car would act like a cushion and there would be no engine being pushed into the drivers cabin.

Is this right?

Answer 1

False.

A mid engine configuration has many benefits when it comes to making a car perform better, but its not great for safety. It allows for better weight distribution, which is why many porche, ferrari, and other sports car models usually have a mid engine. Some companies have attempted to make a mid engine practical and affordable. The MR2 and Lotus Elise are the only successes that come to mind. Both cars perform terrifically. Yet, those cars are far from safe.

Despite all these performance benefits, its not great for safety. The engine provides as a cusion. Having the engine behind you does not do any good, if anything, it provides as a force during a crash behind you meanwhile you are trying to survive a force in front of you. Having two things literally crush you is far from good.

Also, a mid engine vehicle typically has a harder time braking. Having the engine in front helps to put a stop to the car. It all has to do with weight distribution.

But to answer your question further, the MR2 isnt safe to begin with, and the engine lay out only adds to the long list of reasons why. Its also very difficult to conduct repairs on a mid engine. This is because its just simply easier to access a front engine.

There are many reasons why your average car has a front engine, and why only a handful of cars have mid engines. Unless your main goal is to have an affordable sports car, i dont recommend the MR2. particularly when it comes to safety.

Hope that helped.

Answer 2

Mid-engined cars are quite safer than front-engined cars, but because of the centre-of-gravity too close to the driver engine right behind the driver!

The further back, the safer!!, plus a tricky handling at the border between long bents (oversteer) and tight curves (understeer!), are about three times more often involved into crashes than true rear-motored cars!

About 60 to 80% of the weight on the rear axle!!

Answer 3

No. The framework necessary to hold that engine is stronger than if there was not engine. It's like the old Volkswagon Bus. The first line of defense was the drivers knees.