A sports car is a type of car that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1910s and are currently produced by many manufacturers around the world.
Mazda MX-5, one of the world's best-selling sports cars[1][2]1996 Porsche 911 GT2, a model homologated for sports car racing
Definitions of sports cars often relate to how the car design is optimised for dynamic performance,[3][4] without any specific minimum requirements; both a Triumph Spitfire and Ferrari 488 Pista can be considered sports cars, despite vastly different levels of performance. Broader definitions of sports cars include cars "in which performance takes precedence over carrying capacity",[5] or that emphasise the "thrill of driving"[6] or are marketed "using the excitement of speed and the glamour of the (race)track"[7] However, other people have more specific definitions, such as "must be a two-seater or a 2+2 seater"[8] or a car with two seats only.[9][10]
In the United Kingdom, early recorded usage of the "sports car" was in The Times newspaper in 1919.[11] The first known use of the term in the United States was in 1928.[9] Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s.[12] 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).[13]
Attributing the definition of 'sports car' to any particular model can be controversial or the subject of debate among enthusiasts.[14][15][13] Authors and experts have often contributed their ideas to capture a definition.[16][17][18][19] 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.[20][21]
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.[22][23][24][25][26]
Traditionally, the most common layout for sports cars was a roadster (a two-seat car without a fixed roof).[27] However, there are also several examples of early sports cars with four seats.[5]
Sports cars are not usually intended to transport more than two adult occupants regularly, so most modern sports cars are generally two-seat or 2+2 layout (two smaller rear seats for children or occasional adult use). Larger cars with more spacious rear-seat accommodation are usually considered sports sedans rather than sports cars.
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.
Engine and drivetrain layout
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The location of the engine and driven wheels significantly influence the handling characteristics of a car and are therefore crucial in the design of a sports car.[28][29][30][31][32] Traditionally, most sports cars have used rear-wheel drive with the engine either located at the front (FR layout) or in the middle of the vehicle (MR layout). Examples of FR layout sports cars include the Caterham 7, Mazda MX-5, and the Dodge Viper. Examples of MR layout sports cars are the Ferrari 488, Ford GT, and Toyota MR2.[33] 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.[34][35][36]
Since the 1990s, all-wheel drive has become more common in sports cars. 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.[37] Examples of all-wheel drive sports cars are the Lamborghini Huracan, Bugatti Veyron, and Nissan GT-R.[38][39]
Rear engine layouts are not typical for sports cars, with the notable exception of the Porsche 911.[40]
The front-wheel drive layout with the engine at the front (FF layout) is generally the most common for cars, but it is not as common among traditional sports cars. Nonetheless, the FF layout is used by sport compacts and hot hatches such as the Mazdaspeed3. Sports cars with an FF layout include the Fiat Barchetta, Saab Sonett, or Opel Tigra.[41][42][43][44]
1895–1917: Brass Era of cars
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The ancestor of all high-performance cars had its origin in Germany. The 28-h.p. Cannstatt-Daimler racing car of 1899 was without a doubt the first attempt to give real performance to a road car. 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. This was of course the famous Mercedes. It also laid down standards of chassis design which were to be followed, almost unthinkingly, for the next thirty years. Several .[51]
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