Engine Type: Horizontal engine

Also known as Flat engines, it had the same layout as that of a V-engine configuration with a 180 degree angle. The first patent was filed in 1896 by Karl-Benz, the father of modern automobiles. The upside of these engines was their low centre of gravity. This gave the car a more grounded feel and the handling was immensely better. However, being wider than an inline or a V-engine configuration, fitting them in the same space in which a V-engine would fit, with the transmission, drivetrain and other parts became very difficult.

Though, a majority of rear engine cars use this configuration as there is enough space for the engine at the back and the steering column and other parts at the front. With even weight distribution, cars like the Porsche 911, Subaru Impreza, Outback were not only exceedingly good on the track, they came out to be extremely driver friendly cars and eventually made it into mass production, although, it was confined to the rich.

Another configuration that was inspired by the Flat engines and Boxer engines were the 180 degree V-engines. Having the same concept as that of a V-engine (same crankshaft for two pistons), and different from the Boxer engines which had an individual crank for every piston, proved to be faster, better and handled extremely well.