Difference between revisions of "Sports cars"

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[[image:Honda NSX red.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Honda NSX]] sports car]]
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[[Image:1963 Jaguar XK-E Roadster.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[1963|(1963)]] [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] [[Jaguar E-Type|E-Type]] is a classic sports car.]]
  
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A '''sports car''' is a type of [[automobile]] designed for sporting performance.  While opinions differ as to the exact definition, most sports cars have two seats and two doors, and are designed to excel at a combination of acceleration, top speed, braking, and maneuverability.  Great emphasis is often placed on [[car handling|handling]]—the ability of the driver to remain in control of the car under challenging conditions such as when the car's tires begin to lose their grip on corners.
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A '''sports car''' is a type of [[automobile]] designed primarily for performance driving while not being a rally orientated car.  
  
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A car may be ''sporting'' without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular cars, such as [[muscle car]]s, [[hot hatch]]es and the like do not generally fall in the pure sports car territory.
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While opinions differ as to the exact definition, most sports cars have two seats and two doors and are designed to provide excellent [[Car handling|handling]], acceleration, and good looks. A sports car can be described as a car whose dominant design consideration is driving performance. A sports car's main emphasis is on performance by superior road holding, braking, maneuverability, low weight and power rather than comfort, passenger space, and economy.
  
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A large, powerful [[engine]] is not required; many of the early British sports cars lacked a powerful engine and did not accelerate as quickly as, say, muscle cars, but were known for having exceptional handling characteristics due to their combination of light weight, carefully engineered/balanced chassis and innovative suspension designs.  [[Lotus (car)|Lotus]] is often cited as an example of this approach.  On tight, twisting roads, such a car has higher effective performance than a heavier, more powerful car with less cornering ability.
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Sports cars can be luxurious{{fact}} or spartan, but driving performance is key.  Drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history ([[Ferrari]], [[Porsche]], [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]], etc.) as an important indication of sporting quality, but brands such as [[Lamborghini]] which do not race or build cars exclusively for racing are also highly regarded.
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[[Image:Porsche 997 Turbo.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The [[2006|(2006)]] [[Porsche]] [[Porsche 911|911]] [[Porsche 997|(997)]] [[Porsche 911 Turbo|Turbo]] A modern sports car.]]
  
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In many situations, the term "sports car" is used to refer to any car with more power or performance than is typical for cars in general.  Often vehicles in the [[muscle car]], performance sedan/saloon or [[grand tourer]] (GT) category are referred to as sports cars even though they tend to lack the light weight and excellent handling characteristics of a true sports car.
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A car may be ''sporting'' without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular cars, such as [[sport compact]]s, [[sports sedan]]s, [[muscle car]]s, [[hot hatch]]es and the like do not generally fall in the pure sports car territory, but share common sports car traits. Often, performance cars of all configurations are grouped under the general term ''Sports and GT cars'' or occasionally ''performance cars''
  
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Due to bureaucratic restrictions in the North American market, many sports cars are not available for sale or use in the United States and Canada.  In Britain and Europe, a more flexible attitude towards small-volume specialist manufacturers has allowed companies like [[TVR]], [[Noble (car)|Noble]], [[Pagani]], etc. to succeed.
+
A large, powerful [[internal combustion engine|engine]] is not required for a sports car, even though many possess them. Most early British sports cars lacked a powerful engine and did not accelerate as quickly as contemporary American muscle cars, but were known for having exceptional handling characteristics due to their combination of light weight, carefully engineered/balanced chassis, and innovative suspension designs.  [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]] is often cited as an example of this approach today.  On tight, twisting roads, such a car usually has higher effective performance than a heavier, more powerful car with less cornering ability.
 +
[[Image:63 vette.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Chevrolet Corvette]] (shown is a 1963 model) is commonly referred to as "America's Sports Car". A cross between a sports car and a muscle car.]]
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 +
Due to certain restrictions in the North American market usually involving safety regulations, many sports cars are not available for sale or use in the United States and Canada.  In Britain, Europe and the Arab market (e.g. [[UAE]]), a more flexible attitude towards small-volume specialist manufacturers has allowed companies like [[TVR]], [[Noble (car)|Noble]], [[Pagani]], etc. to succeed.
  
 
== Layout ==
 
== Layout ==
 +
The layout of drive train and engine influences the handling characteristics of a car and is the focus of more attention in the design of a sports car.
  
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The layout of drive train and engine influences the handling characteristics of a car and is the focus of more attention in a sports car.
+
The front-engine, rear wheel drive layout ([[FR layout]] for short) is common among sports cars of any era. This form has survived longer in sports cars than in the mainstream, due to the unique handling characteristics, cost, and packaging considerations. Current examples include the [[BMW M3]], [[Mazda Miata]] and the [[Ford Mustang]].
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Most modern cars use front wheel drive ([[FF layout|FF]]) where the engine is in the front and drives the front wheels.  Some sports cars have this layout (e.g. Lotus Elan M100), but due to its conservative effect on handling, it is not typical in higher-performance models.
 
  
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Previously [[FR layout|FR]], front engine driving rear wheels, was common. This form has survived longer in sports cars than in the mainstream and is declared by some to be the "classic" layout for sports cars. The lighter rear-end and rear drive increases the ability of a car to "[[Drift_racing|drift]]" around corners without losing control.
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In search of improved handling and weight distribution, other formats have been tried. The [[MR layout]] is commonly found only in sports cars—the engine is mounted towards the centre of the chassis, which is close behind the driver, and powers the rear wheels only. This layout is preferred by high performance sports car and supercar manufacturers, such as [[Ferrari]] and [[Lamborghini]]. Many modern cars also use a front-mid layout "FM", where the engine sits between the front axle and the firewall.
  
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In search of improved handling and weight distribution other formats have been tried. [[MR layout|mid engine, rear drive]] (MR) is a layout commonly found only in sports cars—the engine is mounted towards the centre of the chassis, close behind the driver, and powers the rear wheels.
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[[Porsche]] is one of the few remaining manufacturers which uses the rear-engine, rear wheel drive layout ([[RR layout]]), a rear engine driving the rear wheels.  The weight distribution across the wheels in a [[Porsche 911]] provides excellent traction, but cannot be seen as ideal as the weight of the engine is not between the two axles.  This causes poor vehicle balance and many early Porsches suffered from twitchy handling.  However, Porsche have continuously refined the design and, in the recent years, combined their modifications with electronic driving aids like computerized traction and stability control that do much to counteract the inherent characteristics of the design.
  
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[[Porsche]] are the sole users of the [[RR layout|RR]] layout, a rear engine driving the rear wheels. The qualities of their cars are often said to have come about despite rather than because of this layout. The weight distribution across the wheels in a Porsche cannot be seen as ideal as the weight of the engine is outside the car's wheelbase. This would usually lead to extremely unpredictable handling and, indeed, many of their early Porsches did suffer from this. However, Porsche have continuously refined the design and combined their modifications with electronic driving aids like computerized traction and stabililty control which do much to counteract the inherent flaws of the design.  Many of Porsche's techniques have been applied to other cars with success.
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Some sport cars have used use a front-engine, front wheel drive layout ([[FF layout|FF]]). Examples include [[Lotus Elan|Lotus Elan M100]], [[Fiat Coupé]], [[Fiat Barchetta]], [[Saab Sonett]] and many [[Berkeley cars]]... The layout has some advantages in small, light sports cars since they don't have the extra weight of propshaft and differential, and not having the [[driveshaft]] tunnel or rear differential taking up space. But due to its conservative effect on handling, it is not typical in higher-performance models. However, the FF layout is quite common in [[sport compact]]s and [[hot hatch]]es, like the [[Honda Civic]] Si and Type-R, the [[Volkswagen Golf]] GTi and the [[Peugeot 205]] GTi.
  
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One option for transferring the power from the engine to the car's wheels is [[all wheel drive]] or AWD.  Athough some early passenger cars used this technique (e.g. 1966 [[Jensen FF]]) it did not gain widespread acceptance until the 1980s.  [[Audi]]'s great [[rally racing]] success with their [[Audi Quattro|Quattro]] in the early 1980s as well as [[Lancia]]'s success with the [[Delta Integrale]] legitimized this layout for sports cars.  Since then, many of the top-performing cars from marques like [[Audi]], [[Porsche]] and [[Lamborghini]], as well as Japanese manufacturers like [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]], [[Subaru]] and [[Nissan]], use AWD in performance cars.
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One option for transferring the power from the engine to the car's wheels is [[all wheel drive]] (AWD).  Examples include sports cars manufactured by [[Porsche]] and [[Lamborghini]] as well as the supercar [[Bugatti Veyron]].
  
 
== Seating ==
 
== Seating ==
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Some sports cars have small back seats that are really only suitable for luggage or small children.  Such a configuration is often referred to as a [[2+2]] (two full seats + two "occasional" seats).  Often these seats are only included to lower insurance premiums.
  
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Some sports cars have small ''emergency'' back seats that are really only suitable for luggage or small children.  Such a configuration is often referred to as a 2+2 (two full seats + two "occasional" seats).  Often these seats are only included to lower insurance premiums.
+
Over the years, some manufacturers of sports cars have sought to increase the practicality of their vehicles by increasing the seating room.
  
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Over the years, some manufacturers of sports cars have sought to increase the practicality of their vehicles by increasing the seating room.   
+
One method is to place the driver's seat in the center of the car which allows two full-sized passenger seats on each side and slightly behind the driver.  The arrangement was originally considered for the [[Lamborghini Miura]] but abandoned as impractical because of the difficulty for the driver to enter/exit the vehicle.  [[McLaren Cars|McLaren]] used the design in their supercar [[McLaren F1|F1]].
  
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One method is to place the driver's seat in the center of the car which allows two full-sized passenger seats on each side and slightly behind the driver.  The arrangement was originally considered for the [[Lamborghini Miura]] but abandoned as impractical because of the difficulty for the driver to enter/exit the vehicle. [[McLaren Cars|McLaren]] used the design in their limited-edition supercar the [[McLaren F1|F1]] whose performance was so extraordinary that the inconvenience of getting in and out of the car was dismissed by many owners as a minor complaint.
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Another British manufacturer, [[TVR]], took a different approach in their Cerbera model.  The interior was designed in such a way that the dashboard on the passenger side swept toward the front of the car which allowed the passenger to sit farther forward than the driver. This gave the rear seat passenger extra room and made the arrangement suitable for three adult passengers and one child seated behind the driver.  The arrangement has been referred to by the company as a 3+1. Some [[Matra]] sports cars even had three seats squeezed next to each other.
  
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Another British manufacturer, [[TVR]], took a different approach in their Cerbera model.  The interior was designed in such a way that the dashboard on the passenger side swept toward the front of the car which allowed the passenger to sit farther forward than the driver. This gave the rear seat passenger extra room and made the arrangement suitable for three adult passengers and one child seated behind the driver.  The arrangement has been referred to by the company as a 3+1.
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== Examples ==
 +
Well known specialist [[brand]]s or marques, modern and classic, are:
  
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Perhaps because of the need to negotiate French roads, [[Matra]] sports cars had such a wide track that three could sit abreast.
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* [[AC (car)|AC]] (England)
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* [[Alfa Romeo]] (Italy)
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* [[Alpine (car)|Alpine]] (France)
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* [[Aston Martin]] (England)
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* [[Audi]] (Germany)
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* [[Austin-Healey]] (England)
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* [[BMW M]] (Germany)
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* [[Bricklin automobile|Bricklin]] (Canada)
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* [[Bugatti]] (Originally Italy now France)
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* [[Caterham Cars|Caterham]] (England)
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* [[Briggs Cunningham|Cunningham]] (USA)
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* [[Davrian|Darrian/Davrian Cars]]  (England)
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* [[De Lorean Motor Company|De Lorean]] (USA)
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* [[Ferrari]] (Italy)
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* [[Fisker Coachbuild|Fisker]] (USA)
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* [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]] (England)
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* [[Koenigsegg]] (Sweden)
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* [[Lamborghini]] (Italy)
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* [[Ligier]] (France)
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* [[Lotus (car)|Lotus]] (England)
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* [[Marcos (automobile)|Marcos]] (England)
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* [[McLaren Cars|McLaren]] (England)
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* [[Maserati]] (Italy)
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* [[MG (car)|MG]] (England)
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* [[Morgan Motor Company|Morgan]] (England)
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* [[Noble (car)|Noble]] (England)
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* [[Pagani]] (Italy)
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* [[Panoz]] (USA)
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* [[Porsche]] (Germany)
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* [[Spyker]] (Netherlands)
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* [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph]] (England)
 +
* [[TVR]] (England)
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* [[Vector Supercars|Vector]] (USA)
  
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The apparent reason that the [[Messerschmitt TG500]] had limited sales is that it had only one front seat.  One seat is fine for commuting, but who wants to lavish great attention and expense on a car that will not carry his favorite other person next to him?
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Almost all major car manufacturers also make some form of high performance car, sometimes very successfully such as [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] with the [[Ford GT|GT]], [[Mazda]] with the [[Mazda Miata|MX-5/Miata]], [[RX-7]]/[[RX-8]], [[BMW]] [[M Cars]], [[Chevrolet]] with the [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]], [[Honda]] with its [[S2000]], and [[Nissan]] with the [[Z-car]].
  
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== Examples ==
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Many major manufacturers have a sports car that serves as the 'flagship' image car of the company. Also known as a ''[[halo car]]'' For example,
  
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Well known specialist [[brand]]s or marques, new and old, are:
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* [[BMW M1]], [[BMW Z8]]
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* [[Chevrolet Corvette]]
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* [[Dodge Viper]]
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* [[Ford GT]]
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* [[Honda NSX]]
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* [[Mazda RX-7]]
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* [[Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren]]
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* [[Porsche Carrera GT]]
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* [[Toyota Supra]]
  
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* [[AC (car)|AC]]
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==See also==
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* [[Alfa Romeo]]
 
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* [[Alpine (car)|Alpine]]
 
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* [[Aston Martin]]
 
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* [[Austin-Healey]]
 
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* [[BMW M]]
 
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* [[Bricklin automobile|Bricklin]]
 
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* [[Bugatti]]
 
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* [[Caterham Cars|Caterham]]
 
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* [[De Lorean Motor Company|De Lorean]]
 
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* [[Ferrari]]
 
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* [[Fisker Coachbuild|Fisker]]
 
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* [[Jaguar (car)|Jaguar]]
 
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* [[Koenigsegg]]
 
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* [[Lamborghini]]
 
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* [[Ligier]]
 
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* [[Lotus_(car)|Lotus]]
 
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* [[Marcos (automobile)|Marcos]]
 
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* [[McLaren Cars|McLaren]]
 
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* [[Maserati]]
 
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* [[MG (car)|MG]]
 
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* [[Morgan Motor Company|Morgan]]
 
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* [[Noble (car)|Noble]]
 
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* [[Panoz]]
 
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* [[Porsche]]
 
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* [[Spyker]]
 
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* [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph]]
 
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* [[TVR]]
 
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* [[Vector Supercars|Vector]]
 
  
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Almost all major car manufacturers also make some form of high performance car, sometimes very successfully such as [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] with the [[Ford GT40|GT40]], [[Mazda]] with the [[Mazda Miata|MX-5/Miata]], [[RX-7]]/[[RX-8]], [[Chevrolet]] with the [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvette]] and [[Nissan]] with the [[Z-car]] and [[Nissan_Skyline_GT-R|Skyline GT-R]].
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* [[Car and Driver]]
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* [[Car safety]]
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==See also==
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* [[Hot hatch]]
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{{commons|Sports car}}
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* [[Muscle car]]
 
* [[Roadster]]
 
* [[Roadster]]
 +
* [[Sport compact]]
 
* [[Sports car racing]]
 
* [[Sports car racing]]
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* [[Muscle car]]
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* [[Sports sedan]]
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* [[Car safety]]
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* [[Supercar]]
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* [[Car and Driver]]
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 +
== External links ==
 +
* [http://www.classic-and-dream-cars.com/super-fast-cars.html Super Fast Cars] - The quintessential dream cars, at Classic & Dream Cars
 +
* [http://dubaisportscars.info/ Photos of sports cars in Dubai]
 +
* [http://www.rsportscars.com Information and high-resolution pictures for all major makes and models]
 +
* [http://www.sportscarforums.com Forum for automotive enthusiasts]
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* [http://www.sportcarstalk.com Sport Cars Talk]
 +
* [http://www.europaluxury.com/index/autos-%26-vehicles/sports-cars/ European sports cars]
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* [http://www.fastestcar.net/ Fastest Cars]
  
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[[Category:Sports cars|Sports cars]]
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[[Category:Sports cars| ]]
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[[Category:Car classifications]]
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[[Category:Sports car manufacturers| ]]

Revision as of 21:02, 14 November 2007

The (1963) Jaguar E-Type is a classic sports car.

A sports car is a type of automobile designed primarily for performance driving while not being a rally orientated car.

While opinions differ as to the exact definition, most sports cars have two seats and two doors and are designed to provide excellent handling, acceleration, and good looks. A sports car can be described as a car whose dominant design consideration is driving performance. A sports car's main emphasis is on performance by superior road holding, braking, maneuverability, low weight and power rather than comfort, passenger space, and economy.

Sports cars can be luxuriousTemplate:Fact or spartan, but driving performance is key. Drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history (Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, etc.) as an important indication of sporting quality, but brands such as Lamborghini which do not race or build cars exclusively for racing are also highly regarded.

The (2006) Porsche 911 (997) Turbo A modern sports car.

A car may be sporting without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular cars, such as sport compacts, sports sedans, muscle cars, hot hatches and the like do not generally fall in the pure sports car territory, but share common sports car traits. Often, performance cars of all configurations are grouped under the general term Sports and GT cars or occasionally performance cars

A large, powerful engine is not required for a sports car, even though many possess them. Most early British sports cars lacked a powerful engine and did not accelerate as quickly as contemporary American muscle cars, but were known for having exceptional handling characteristics due to their combination of light weight, carefully engineered/balanced chassis, and innovative suspension designs. Lotus is often cited as an example of this approach today. On tight, twisting roads, such a car usually has higher effective performance than a heavier, more powerful car with less cornering ability.

File:63 vette.jpg
The Chevrolet Corvette (shown is a 1963 model) is commonly referred to as "America's Sports Car". A cross between a sports car and a muscle car.

Due to certain restrictions in the North American market usually involving safety regulations, many sports cars are not available for sale or use in the United States and Canada. In Britain, Europe and the Arab market (e.g. UAE), a more flexible attitude towards small-volume specialist manufacturers has allowed companies like TVR, Noble, Pagani, etc. to succeed.

Layout

The layout of drive train and engine influences the handling characteristics of a car and is the focus of more attention in the design of a sports car.

The front-engine, rear wheel drive layout (FR layout for short) is common among sports cars of any era. This form has survived longer in sports cars than in the mainstream, due to the unique handling characteristics, cost, and packaging considerations. Current examples include the BMW M3, Mazda Miata and the Ford Mustang.

In search of improved handling and weight distribution, other formats have been tried. The MR layout is commonly found only in sports cars—the engine is mounted towards the centre of the chassis, which is close behind the driver, and powers the rear wheels only. This layout is preferred by high performance sports car and supercar manufacturers, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. Many modern cars also use a front-mid layout "FM", where the engine sits between the front axle and the firewall.

Porsche is one of the few remaining manufacturers which uses the rear-engine, rear wheel drive layout (RR layout), a rear engine driving the rear wheels. The weight distribution across the wheels in a Porsche 911 provides excellent traction, but cannot be seen as ideal as the weight of the engine is not between the two axles. This causes poor vehicle balance and many early Porsches suffered from twitchy handling. However, Porsche have continuously refined the design and, in the recent years, combined their modifications with electronic driving aids like computerized traction and stability control that do much to counteract the inherent characteristics of the design.

Some sport cars have used use a front-engine, front wheel drive layout (FF). Examples include Lotus Elan M100, Fiat Coupé, Fiat Barchetta, Saab Sonett and many Berkeley cars... The layout has some advantages in small, light sports cars since they don't have the extra weight of propshaft and differential, and not having the driveshaft tunnel or rear differential taking up space. But due to its conservative effect on handling, it is not typical in higher-performance models. However, the FF layout is quite common in sport compacts and hot hatches, like the Honda Civic Si and Type-R, the Volkswagen Golf GTi and the Peugeot 205 GTi.

One option for transferring the power from the engine to the car's wheels is all wheel drive (AWD). Examples include sports cars manufactured by Porsche and Lamborghini as well as the supercar Bugatti Veyron.

Seating

Some sports cars have small back seats that are really only suitable for luggage or small children. Such a configuration is often referred to as a 2+2 (two full seats + two "occasional" seats). Often these seats are only included to lower insurance premiums.

Over the years, some manufacturers of sports cars have sought to increase the practicality of their vehicles by increasing the seating room.

One method is to place the driver's seat in the center of the car which allows two full-sized passenger seats on each side and slightly behind the driver. The arrangement was originally considered for the Lamborghini Miura but abandoned as impractical because of the difficulty for the driver to enter/exit the vehicle. McLaren used the design in their supercar F1.

Another British manufacturer, TVR, took a different approach in their Cerbera model. The interior was designed in such a way that the dashboard on the passenger side swept toward the front of the car which allowed the passenger to sit farther forward than the driver. This gave the rear seat passenger extra room and made the arrangement suitable for three adult passengers and one child seated behind the driver. The arrangement has been referred to by the company as a 3+1. Some Matra sports cars even had three seats squeezed next to each other.

Examples

Well known specialist brands or marques, modern and classic, are:

Almost all major car manufacturers also make some form of high performance car, sometimes very successfully such as Ford with the GT, Mazda with the MX-5/Miata, RX-7/RX-8, BMW M Cars, Chevrolet with the Corvette, Honda with its S2000, and Nissan with the Z-car.

Many major manufacturers have a sports car that serves as the 'flagship' image car of the company. Also known as a halo car For example,

See also

External links

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