How Tesla's cargo capacity stacks up against other iconic front trunks in the car industry: From Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and more

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How Tesla's cargo capacity stacks up against other iconic front trunks in the car industry: From Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and more
  • Some sports cars, supercars, and all Teslas now on sale have a front trunk, or "frunk."
  • For Teslas, this features adds to existing cargo capacity in a trunk or under a rear hatch.
  • For sports cars from the likes of Ferrari, the frunk is all the cargo space you get.
  • I get a kick out of frunks — here are some favorites.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When you remove a gas engine from the front of a car and put it someplace else, you create space under the hood for storage. The result is a front trunk, or "frunk."

I love frunks. Mid-engine and rear-engine sports cars and supercars often have them. So do electric vehicles — no traditional engine makes for trunk and frunk space.

All Teslas, for example, have frunks. This means that while a Porsche 911 frunk might be useful for toting around a small piece of luggage, a Tesla Model S can offer SUV-like cargo capacity.

Here's a look at some of the frunks I've loved:

Read the original article on Business Insider
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And it had a decent-sized frunk! I always forget that Ferrari's sports cars are kind of big by the standards of the competition.

And it had a decent-sized frunk! I always forget that Ferrari's sports cars are kind of big by the standards of the competition.
Ferrari 488 Spider. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

This $393,000 Ferrari 488 Spider was incredibly gorgeous.

This $393,000 Ferrari 488 Spider was incredibly gorgeous.
Ferrari 488 Spider. Matthew DeBord/BI
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And it has a frunk that's more like a slot. It could hold a case of wine. Maybe.

And it has a frunk that's more like a slot. It could hold a case of wine. Maybe.
McLaren 720S. Hollis Johnson

The stonking McLaren 720S is $300,000 of high-tech mid-engine glory.

The stonking McLaren 720S is $300,000 of high-tech mid-engine glory.
McLaren 720S. Hollis Johnson
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But it does have a tiny "trunklet" behind the engine compartment. It's exactly 0.4 cubic feet.

But it does have a tiny "trunklet" behind the engine compartment. It's exactly 0.4 cubic feet.
Ford GT. Hollis Johnson

The mid-engined $400,000 Ford GT doesn't even have a frunk.

The mid-engined $400,000 Ford GT doesn't even have a frunk.
Ford GT. Hollis Johnson
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Most recently, I tested a $610,000 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. It had a tiny frunk. I didn't even try to load it up with anything.

Most recently, I tested a $610,000 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. It had a tiny frunk. I didn't even try to load it up with anything.
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. Matt DeBord/BI

Lamborghinis are mid-engine supercars. That means the engine is located between the rear wheels and driver.

Lamborghinis are mid-engine supercars. That means the engine is located between the rear wheels and driver.
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. Matt DeBord/BI
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The 911 has no trunk, and just a small frunk to deal with cargo needs. Yes, there's also a back seat. I was able to cram a few days worth of groceries into the frunk of the $141,000 911 4S.

The 911 has no trunk, and just a small frunk to deal with cargo needs. Yes, there's also a back seat. I was able to cram a few days worth of groceries into the frunk of the $141,000 911 4S.
Porsche 911 4S. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Porsche 911s have a rear-engine design, meaning that the motor is perched over the rear axle. I recently tested both a 2020 911 Carrera 4S and a 911 Turbo S.

Porsche 911s have a rear-engine design, meaning that the motor is perched over the rear axle. I recently tested both a 2020 911 Carrera 4S and a 911 Turbo S.
A Euro-spec Porsche 911 Turbo S (992) is pictured here at our suburban New Jersey test center. Matthew DeBord/Insider
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Its frunk adds additional capacity to a trunk that has about 15 cubic feet of space. This makes the Model 3 into a compact crossover SUV competitor.

Its frunk adds additional capacity to a trunk that has about 15 cubic feet of space. This makes the Model 3 into a compact crossover SUV competitor.
Tesla Model 3. Matthew DeBord/BI

The Model 3 is Tesla's small sedan. It starts at $40,000.

The Model 3 is Tesla's small sedan. It starts at $40,000.
Tesla Model 3. Matthew DeBord/BI
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I used it to take a 700-mile family road trip, and the frunk made it possible to haul a lot of gear for five people.

I used it to take a 700-mile family road trip, and the frunk made it possible to haul a lot of gear for five people.
Tesla Model X. Matthew DeBord/BI
Read about the trip.

The Tesla Model X is the automaker's proper SUV. It starts at $85,000.

The Tesla Model X is the automaker's proper SUV. It starts at $85,000.
Tesla Model X. Matthew DeBord/BI
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It has a capacious frunk — large enough to give the Model S SUV-like hauling capacity.

It has a capacious frunk — large enough to give the Model S SUV-like hauling capacity.
Tesla Model S. Matthew DeBord/Business Insider

The Tesla Model S is a luxurious, all-electric sedan that's been on sale since 2012. It currently starts at about $80,000.

The Tesla Model S is a luxurious, all-electric sedan that's been on sale since 2012. It currently starts at about $80,000.
Tesla Model S. Tesla
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