Hooniverse Asks- What're the Most Cleverly Packaged Cars and Trucks?

When Fiat replaced the 850 Spider with the X1/9 they also took automobile packaging to a whole new level. The former car, with its engine hanging out over the rear end offered little in the way of space optimization, while the X1/9 made it a priority. At least that’s how it seemed. The ’70s sports car took the drivetrain from the FWD 128 – itself an extremely competent package, and move it midships. Despite that major mass of components residing mid-ships, the designers were also able to squeeze both the fuel tank and spare tire in there as well, and still provide enough room for a couple of folks in the small but serviceable cabin. On top of these marvels of engineering, the X1/9 additionally managed to offer a pair of sizable trunks and the ability to pop its top and stow it without taking up much in the way of trunk space. I wager that the X1/9 is one of the most efficient automotive packaging designs ever built, but is it the most efficient?  That I don’t know. What I do know is that there are others out there that might give the Fiat a run for its money. And that’s the question for today, which are the cars and trucks that just might? Image source: The-Bluprints.com