![]() ![]() It also laid down standards of chassis design which were to be followed, almost unthinkingly, for the next thirty years. Many of its features, such as a honeycomb radiator and gate gear change, were continued on the much improved version which Paul Daimler designed in 1899-1900. Cannstatt-Daimler racing car of 1899 was without a doubt the first attempt to give real performance to a road car. The ancestor of all high-performance cars had its origin in Germany. Examples of FF layout sports cars are the Fiat Barchetta, Saab Sonett, or Opel Tigra. Nonetheless, the FF layout is often used by sport compacts and hot hatches such as the Mazdaspeed3. Īlthough front-wheel drive with the engine at the front ( FF layout) is the most common layout for cars in general, it is not as common amongst traditional sports cars. Rear engine layouts are not commonly used for sports cars, with the notable exception of the Porsche 911. Examples of all-wheel drive sports cars are the Lamborghini Huracan, Bugatti Veyron, and Nissan GT-R. All-wheel drive offers better acceleration and favorable handling characteristics (especially in slippery conditions), but is often heavier and more mechanically complex than traditional layouts. Since the 1990s, all-wheel drive has become more common in sports cars. To avoid a front-heavy weight distribution, many FR layout sports cars are designed so that the engine is located further back in the engine bay, as close to the firewall as possible. Examples of MR layout sports cars are the Ferrari 488, Ford GT and Toyota MR2. Examples of FR layout sports cars are the Caterham 7, Mazda MX-5, and the Dodge Viper. Traditionally, most sports cars have used rear-wheel drive with the engine either located at the front of the car ( FR layout) or in the middle of the car ( MR layout). The location of the engine and driven wheels significantly influence the handling characteristics of a car and are therefore important in the design of a sports car. The 1993-1998 McLaren F1 is notable for using a three-seat layout, where the front row consists of a centrally-located driver's seat. Larger cars with more spacious rear-seat accommodation are usually considered sports sedans rather than sports cars. Sports cars are not usually intended to regularly transport more than two adult occupants, so most modern sports cars are usually two-seat layout or 2+2 layout (two smaller rear seats for children or occasional adult use). Traditionally, the most common layout for sports cars was a roadster (a two-seat car without a fixed roof), however there are also several examples of early sports cars with four seats. Common characteristics Seating layout 2-seat layout ( Ferrari 458 Spyder) 2+2 layout ( Porsche 911) There is no fixed distinction between sports cars and other categories of performance cars, such as muscle cars and grand tourers, with some cars being members of several categories. ![]() Insurance companies have also attempted to use mathematical formulae to categorise sports cars, often charging more for insurance due to the inherent risk of performance driving. Authors and experts have often contributed their ideas to capture a definition. Īttributing the definition of 'sports car' to any particular model can be controversial or the subject of debate among enthusiasts. The term initially described two-seat roadsters (cars without a fixed roof), however, since the 1970s the term has also been used for cars with a fixed roof (which were previously considered grand tourers). Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s. The first known use of the term in the United States was in 1928. In the United Kingdom, early recorded usage of the "sports car" was in The Times newspaper in 1919. Broader definitions of sports cars include cars "in which performance takes precedence over carrying capacity", or that emphasise the "thrill of driving" or are marketed "using the excitement of speed and the glamour of the (race)track" However, other people have more specific definitions, such as "must be a two-seater or a 2+2 seater" or a car with two seats only. Sports cars originated in Europe in early 1902 and are currently produced by many manufacturers around the world.ĭefinitions of sports cars often relate to how the car design is optimised for dynamic performance, without any specific minimum requirements both a Triumph Spitfire and Ferrari 488 Pista can be considered sports cars, despite vastly different levels of performance. Mazda MX-5, one of the world's best-selling sports cars 1996 Porsche 911 GT2, a model homologated for sports car racingĪ sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability.
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