Tuesday, May 27th, 2008...9:04 am
Sports Cars: Getting Started on Your Need for Speed
If high acceleration, top speed, and appearance are what you want in a vehicle, then a sports car is probably what you’re looking for.
Sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units sold annually.
Sports cars are built as performance vehicles - meaning they are to be pushed in ways regular cars can’t. For example, acceleration is often no more than 5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph.
As it is more difficult to maneuver a speeding object, sports cars are specially designed to be handled at top speeds.
The term “sporty†was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes a powerful persona for the person behind the wheel.
What follows is a basic run-through of sports cars out in the marketplace – their general designs and layout, as well as a listing of the more popular models and makers.
- FF – front engine, front wheel drive.
The FF layout has a moderate capacity for high speed handling and is seen in select models such as the Fiat Coupé, and the Lotus Elan M100.
- FR – front engine, rear wheel drive
Considered the “classic†sports car layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this layout for its models.
- RR – rear engine, rear wheel drive
With the engine at the back driving the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR layout provides excellent traction for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes difficult. As of today, the only maker who keeps the RR layout for its cars is Porche.
AWD – all wheel drive
An AWD layout provides the easiest handling, making it ideal for those who are just starting out with sports cars. Audi started the widespread use of this technique with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi used this layout to increase handling making it an excellent rally car.
Because of higher restrictions in the states, sports car manufacturers are more prevalent in Europe than in America. Nevertheless, American brands are in equal competition with its European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized makers and models are:
Alfa Romeo
Alpine
Aston Martin
Austin-Healey
BMW
Bugatti
Caterham
Davrian
De Lorean
Ferrari
Fisker
Jaguar
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Lotus
McLaren
Maserati
MG
Morgan
Panoz
Porsche
Triumph
TVR
Vector
Now that you’ve gotten started, take your next step by discovering the excitement a sports car can bring you today, just like it has for generations.
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18 Comments
July 9th, 2008 at 6:17 am
I’m planning to buy a new car next month and what you said about sports cars is worth considering. What vehicle model do you think should I buy? Thanks
July 10th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I love my sports car!!!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I love my Audi TT! That said, check the fluids in any sports car religiously. You drive them harder… they WILL blow up faster without proper fluid levels!
July 15th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
“For example, acceleration is often no more than 5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph.”
Who wrote this? No road genuine road car can do 0-100mph in 5 seconds, that is F1 quick, 9 seconds is seriously quick for a road car.
This is supposed to be about sports cars, the types listed are front wheel drive front engined, front engine real drive, 4 wheel drive and rear engined real wheel drive. Sorry to waz on your bonfire but you missed out mid engine rear wheel drive, which is the best layout for a supercar.
You can tell this is a car site written by women!
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 am
You mention alot of new sports car here, don’t get me wrong i like the sports car. However i prefer the old muscle cars myself. They don’t build them like they use to. P.S Love your blog.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Sports cars really are an addiction. Once you experience 0-60 in 4 seconds its like you cant ever get enough.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Damn, I love sports cars. The feeling of being behind the wheel at high speeds is a definite turn on. I own a mustang, and I only wish I could get behind the wheel of a real machine like an Aston Martin. Oh well
I love your writting stlye, I see it has been awhile since you updated, looking forward to your next.
Marc
August 30th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
You can actually pick up some pretty decent late-model sports cars on E-bay, especially now that gas is so expensive.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
The lines of what constitutes a sports car has been blurred. Now sports car companies of sports cars entwined with luxury and other features. For instance, the Porsche Cayenne is an SUV. What constitutes a sports car and comprises the stated $4.5 billion industry?
http://www.getanybus.com
September 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I’m surprised, I actually thought there would be more than 55,000 units sold each year. Interesting post!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
It sure is a big industry and it’s surprising that consumers are still buying them even though the economy is down. I really hope to see some electric sports cars in the future. I know Mopar has just released some news that they will be coming out with one in 2010 called the “EV.”
September 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
you’ve forgotten “Apollo” - a nice sportcar.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I recently bought a sports car and am having trouble adjusting to the handling differences between sports cars and regular cars. Hopefully I’ll figure this out sooner rather than later. Why can’t all cars be sports cars? I don’t get it!
October 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
De Lorean? drove one once, absolute piece of junk, looks cool though
October 16th, 2008 at 9:10 am
You should add “drive carefully”
Sports car are one of the major source of deaths on the road.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Sports cars are taking a beating in the market right now. There are more ferrari on ebay than ever has been.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
BMW all the way, love them
great post
November 16th, 2008 at 1:57 am
The list you made is right on target. Those cars are awesome! The downturn in the economy is making it so difficult for people to consider these cars now though. Although….. some are considering the vintage type models as an investment option.
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