[quantumsolace]

Indeed not. We've been putting engines mid-bay since at least the 60s. If you want to compare this Tesla or the Taycan fairly, you have to compare it to a mid-engined car. Like the Corvette C8 (The C7 vette's record's better than either EV anyway, but I digress)

Low center of gravity is good, but no one would add dead weight just to lower the CoM. Stiffen up the springs and the lighter car is ahead by a lot.

[EDIT] Also, we've had boxer engines in race cars since at least the 40s.