Questions About Flat Engines
The little information that I have read about flat engines, specifically Porsche's flat-6 lead me to wonder why it is used at all. Other than it being a tradition in Porsche cars, I have read that flat-6's are larger than a similar displacement V-6 as they occupy a lot of horizontal room. From some sources I have also heard that flat engines are less rigid than V's. The only good thing going for flat engines seems to be that they have a low centre of gravity.
I am far from an engine expert, but I was wondering what exactly are the advantages of a flat engine, if there are any.
Furthermore, does anyone know why Porsche seem so adamant to stick to a rear mounted flat-6 in the 911 as opposed to a mid-engined flat-8 or even V-8 as some Porsche engineers have expressed interest in to better distribute weight? Is the flat-6 rear engine layout used only out of tradition?