Well Alec Issigonis designed the original Mini and he had to create a tiny car that could comfortably seat 4 adults, a fair amount of luggage and also use an engine that was already in production, namely the good old A'Series engine.

He succeeded by mounting the engine transversely up front and fitted the transmission underneath with the gearbox in the sump and had it driving the front wheels.

So he created a revolutionary concept that 95% of the worlds car manufacturers have copied since.

But his little Mini also succeeded beyond expectations since it was in full production for over 41 years (between 1959-2000) and thanks to John Coopers involvement and the Mini Cooper S, it was also a revelation in most forms of motorsport since it won the famous Monte Carlo Rally 4 times in the 1960's.

It was also the first truly classless car as everyone from the poorest to the richest (even British Royalty) drove Minis. Plus all The Beatles had one and so did Mick Jagger and Peter Sellers etc.

I don't think there'll ever be another car quite as revolutionary, unique or clever as the old Mini, nor another car designing genius like Alec Issigonis.