A mid-engine layout was used for world-class race cars and exotic road cars in the 1960s. That made England’s Lotus—known mostly for its winning race cars—the first automaker to build a mid-engine road car for the masses with its 1966-75 Europa sports car. In 1966, Lotus launched the Europa. Originally, the idea was for the Europa to replace the Lotus Seven. However, the two cars attracted a very different customer base and sales for the Europa became export focused. The Lotus Europa is unique in many ways. The ground-breaking aerodynamic body design was sleek yet stylish. However, the adaptation of the mid-engine design used in Grand Prix cars for a road vehicle was truly pioneering.
