10 Cars With a Central Driving Position That Will Blow Your Mind

Central Driving Position Cars: Ever wondered what it’s like to sit in the center of a car, like a race driver, with the world perfectly balanced around you? It’s not just a fantasy—some of the coolest cars ever made actually put the driver front and center. From jaw-dropping hypercars to rare concept machines, the central driving position isn’t just about style; it’s about precision, control, and pure driving joy. Let’s take a spin through 10 cars that redefine what it means to be behind the wheel.

1. BAC Mono – Track-Ready Thrills in a Single Seat

If you want a car that’s basically a race car for the road, look no further than the BAC Mono. One seat, one steering wheel, and a pushrod suspension straight from racing. Its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine produces 332 horsepower, but with a featherlight 1,256-pound body it rocket to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Warning: no windscreen, no compromises—just raw driving bliss.

2. McLaren F1 – The Notorious Three-Seater

Beyond merely a car, the McLaren F1 is a legend. In order to achieve the ideal mix between comfort and performance, Gordon Murray placed the driver in the center and eliminated all compromise. With 627 horsepower it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 second and reach high speeds of 240 mph. Decades later, this F1 continues to draw attention with its central seat and two passenger seats on either side.

3. McLaren Speedtail – Futuristic Comfort Meets Speed

The Speedtail elevates the central seat to a new level with its incredible aerodynamics, elegance and technology. With a teardrop-shaped body and a hybrid 1,035 horsepower setup it can reach 250 mph while maintaining the driver exact center. This tech-forward supercar dream has a long, tapering body a futuristic cockpit, and digital mirrors.

4. Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 – Minimalist Brilliance

Gordon Murray uses the T.50 to strike once again. Consider it a contemporary Formula One for the road. Its 3.9-liter Cosworth V12 engine produce 654 horsepower at 12,100 rpm, and a rear-mounted fan creates additional downforce for incredible handling. The T.50 demonstrates that central driving isn’t only for race cars but also for genuine enjoyment at barely 2,200 pounds dry.

5. McMurtry Spéirling – Electric Speed Demon

This one’s pure insanity. The Spéirling is a track-only electric rocket with 1,000 hp and 4,400 pound of downforce at top speed thanks to its patented fan system. 0-60 mph in 1.55 second? Check. Top speed 190 mph? Check. Sitting dead center in this carbon tub gives a race-car experience like no other.

6. Czinger 21C – Tandem Seating Meets Technology

Modern technology is used by the Czinger 21C to enhance the central driving experience. A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with electric motors generate over 1,250 horsepower for all four wheels while additive manufacturing produce a very light chassis. With a mind-blowing 0–60 mph time of less than 1.9 second the tandem layout puts the driver front and center.

7. Delage D12 – French Hypercar Elegance

With only ~30 planned units, the Delage D12 is a masterpiece. A central driver’s seat, tandem rear passenger, and a 7.6-liter V12 plus electric motor produce 1,100 hp. Its carbon-fiber chassis, pushrod suspension, and fighter-jet canopy make it both futuristic and luxurious, hitting 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.

8. Gordon Murray S1 LM – The Collector’s Holy Grail

Limited to just five units, the S1 LM is Gordon Murray unfiltered. A 4.3-liter V12 producing 700+ hp, a central seat, and analog engagement over flashy tech make it a driving purist’s dream. Under 2,100 pounds and 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds, this rare car sold for over $20 million, proving central seating is luxury, performance, and exclusivity rolled into one.

9. Yamaha OX99-11 – The Lost F1 Dream

Yamaha attempted to bring F1 technology to the general public back in the 1990. The OX99-11 had a 3.5-liter V12, tandem passenger and central driver. Maximum speed? 217 mph or thereabout. It is one of the most ambitious car ever manufactured and a rare collector item because just three were produced.

10. Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale – Antique Innovation

Even Ferrari experimented with central seating. The 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” from 1966 had a driver in the middle and two passengers flanking, powered by a 4.4-liter V12. Only two survive today, but they proved that Ferrari once dared to break the rules of mid-engine layout and driver positioning.

Why a Central Driving Position Matters

• Balance & Symmetry: Perfect weight distribution and steering feedback.
• Visibility: See corners and lanes more naturally.
• Precision: Align pedals, wheel, and seat for optimal control.
• Pure Driving Fun: Whether track or road, it’s immersive.

FAQs

Q1: Are central driving position cars street legal?
A: Some are like the McLaren F1 or Speedtail while others (Spéirling, T.50) are track-only. Always check local regulation.

Q2: Why are central driving seats so rare?
A: They’re expensive to engineer, difficult to package with passenger and complex for safety compliance.

Q3: Do these cars offer passenger space?
A: Some use tandem layout (Czinger 21C, Delage D12) while others are single-seater (BAC Mono, Spéirling).

Q4: Can I buy one today?
A: Many are ultra-limited editions or sold out, but collectors occasionally find them at auctions.

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