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Sports 1

A sports car (sportscar or sport car) is a small, usually two , two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling. Sports may be spartan or luxurious but high maneuverability and minimum weight are requisite.

Mazda MX-5, the world's best selling sports car

Early History

The basis for the sports car is traced to the early 20th century touring cars and roadsters. These raced in early rallys, such as the Herkomer Cup, Prinz Heinrich Fahrt, and Monte Carlo. Though the term sports car would not be coined until after World War One, the first sports cars are considered to be the 3 litre 1910 Prince Henry (Prinz Heinrich) Vauxhall 20 hp (tax rating) and the 27/80PS Austro-Daimler designed by Ferdinand . These would shortly be joined by the French DFP (which became Prince Henry Vauxhall—3-litres sporters after tuning by H.M. and W. O. Bentley) and the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. In the U.S., where the type was variously called , speedster, , or raceabout, there was Apperson, Kissel, Marion, Midland, National, Overland, Stoddard-Dayton, and Thomas among small models, while Chadwick, , Stutz, and Simplex were among large models.

In 1921, premiered its 2LS, with a remarkable 75 hp (56 kW) DOHC two liter, designed by Ernest Henry (formerly of 's Grand Prix program), capable of 150 km/h (90 mph); at most, one hundred were built in four years. This was followed by the SOHC 2LT Prince Henry Austro-Daimler—5.7-litres and 2LTS. The same year, Benz built a supercharged 28/95PS four for the ; Max Sailer won.

Simson in 1924 offered a Paul Henze-designed 60 hp (45 kW) DOHC 2 liter four, the Simson Supra Type S, in a long-wheelbase 120 km/h (60 mph) tourer and 115 km/h (71 mph) twin-carburettor sporter; only thirty were sold, against around three hundred of the SOHC model and 750 of the pushrod-six Type R. Duerkopp's Zoller-blown two liter in 1924, as well. There was a clear cleavage by 1925. As four-seaters were more profitable, two-seaters increasingly turned over to specialist manufacturers, led by Alvis, Aston-Martin, and Frazer-Nash, with shoestring budgets, fanatic followers, and limited sales (today exemplified by Aston and Morgan): between 1921 and 1939, 350 Astons were built; 323 Frazer-Nashes in the period 1924–39. Sports car 2

By the end of the 1920s, AC produced a 2 liter six, the 3.5 liter Nazzaro had a three-valve OHC (only until 1922), while French makers , Bignan, Hispano-Suiza, and Samson had the typical small four-cylinder sporters and , , and Chenard-Walcker the large tourers. Benz introduced the powerful SS and SSK, and , the Vittorio Jano-designed 6C. Two companies would offer the first really reliable sports cars: Austin with the Seven and Morris Garages (MG) with the Midget.[citation needed] The Seven would quickly be "rodded" by numerous companies (as the Type 1 would be a generation later), including Bassett and Dingle (Hammersmith, London); in 1928, a Cozette blower was fitted to the Seven Super Sports, while Cecil Kimber fitted an 847 cc Minor engine, and sold more Midgets in the first year than MG's entire previous production.

1900 NW Rennzweier (The Double Racer) 1934 Ulster

Layout

The drive train and engine layout significantly influences the handling characteristics of an automobile, and is crucially important in the design of a sports car. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout (FR) is common to sports cars of any era and has survived longer in sports cars than in mainstream automobiles. Examples include the Caterham 7, MX-5, and the Corvette. More specifically, many such sports cars have a FMR layout, with the centre of mass of the engine 1990s M100, a front-engine, front between the front axle and the firewall. wheel (FF) drive sports car

In search of improved handling and , other layouts are sometimes used. The RMR layout is commonly found only in sports cars—the motor is centre-mounted in the chassis (closer to and behind the driver), and powers only the rear wheels. Some high-performance sports car manufacturers, such as and have preferred this layout. Porsche is one of the few remaining manufacturers using the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout (RR). The motor's distributed weight across the wheels, in a , provides excellent traction, but the significant mass behind the rear wheels makes it more prone to oversteer in some situations. Porsche has continuously refined the design and in recent years added electronic driving aids (i.e. computerised traction-stability control) to counteract these inherent design shortcomings. The front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (FF) layout which is the most common in sport compacts and hot hatches, and cars in general, is not generally used for sports cars. This layout is advantageous for small, light, lower power Sports car 3

sports cars, as it avoids the extra weight, increased transmission power loss, and packaging problems of a long driveshaft and longitudinal engine of FR vehicles. However, its conservative handling effect, particularly understeer, and the fact that many drivers believe rear wheel drive is a more desirable layout for a sports car count against it. The , and Berkeley cars are sports cars with this layout. Before the 1980s few sports cars used four-wheel drive, which had traditionally added a lot of weight. Although not a sports car, the Quattro proved its worth in . With its improvement in traction, particularly in adverse weather conditions, four-wheel drive is no longer uncommon in high-powered sports cars, e.g. Porsche, Lamborghini, and the Veyron.

Porsche 911SC, a rear-engine, Fiat X1/9, a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel Lotus Super 7, a front mid-engined, rear-wheel (RR) drive sports car (RMR) drive sports car rear-wheel (FMR) drive lightweight sports car

Seating

Some sports cars have small back 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). The more typical seating arrangement is two-seats. 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 Bucket seat combined with a Schroth six-point , but abandoned as impractical because of the harness in a Porsche GT3 RS difficulty for the driver to enter/exit the vehicle. McLaren used the design in their 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.[citation needed] Some sports cars even had three seats squeezed next to each other. Sports car 4

Terminology

A car may be a sporting automobile without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular, production cars, such as sport compacts, sports sedans, muscle cars, hot hatches and the like, generally are not considered sports cars, yet share traits common to sports cars. They are sometimes called "sports cars" for marketing purposes for increased advertising and promotional purposes.[1] Performance cars of various configurations are grouped as Sports and cars or, occasionally, as performance cars. "Sports car: an open, low-built, fast motor car," like this Ariel Atom References

[1] Crossa, Robert G. and Dixit, Ashutosh. "Customer-centric pricing: The surprising secret for profitability" Business Horizons, Volume 48, Issue 6, November–December 2005, pages 483–491.

External links

• "Best All-Around Sports Car" (http:/ / www. roadandtrack. com/ article. asp?section_id=31& article_id=1949), Road & Track, March 2005.

• "What is a Sports Car?" (http:/ / www. casact. org/ library/ astin/ vol18no2/ 175. pdf), Jean-Francois Ingenbleek, Universitd Libre de Bruxelles & Jean LeMaire, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

• Donovan, Sandra (2007). Sports Cars (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=OZ5oB0ZlrY0C). Lerner Publications. ISBN 0-8225-5928-5. Article Sources and Contributors 5 Article Sources and Contributors

Sports car Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=572554641 Contributors: $oliton, -oo0(GoldTrader)0oo-, .InfiniteHiveMind., 2001:4898:80E8:ED31:0:0:0:2, 2602:306:CF31:4700:786A:3D9F:6C10:ABFE, 72Dino, 842U, Abc518, Academic Challenger, Adam Ski, Aitias, Akadruid, Alansohn, Alys, AmericanLeMans, AmiDaniel, Andaman467, Andrewa, Andy Christ, Angela, Angelusc, Anobo, ArmadilloFromHell, Arpingstone, Arrydogy, Ask123, Axis of eran, BaboneCar, Barnstarbob, Bgwhite, Blainster, Bob Castle, Bobblehead, Bongwarrior, Bonus Onus, Bouche83, Bsembler, C trillos, CHM, CJ DUB, CZmarlin, Caffeine kittie, Caltas, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CapitalR, Cath0de, Chachi0123, Chaomaster42, Chaparral2J, Chienlit, Chris B. Lewis, Christian75, Christopherlin, Chrylis, Chsmadden, Cimmerian praetor, Cls412, ColtM4, CommonsDelinker, Crag, Craigy144, Crystallina, CsDix, Cst17, Ctbolt, Cvik, Cwmhiraeth, CzarNick, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DH85868993, Danaman5, Daniel J. Leivick, Danny1992, Darren Magennis, David R. Ingham, Dawnseeker2000, DeLarge, DerHexer, Dgjesquire, Dicklyon, Discospinster, DocWatson42, Donald Albury, Dooky, Dover82, Ed g2s, Edcolins, Eddaido, Edgard Berendsen, Effer, Egil, Egonitron, Ehheh, EliasAlucard, Enric Naval, Epbr123, Eugene der Pijll, Euveshen, Evilday58, EyOne, Faradayplank, Favonian, FiachraByrne, Fram, Free Citizen, Friday, Fxhomie, Gamerdog6482, Garion96, Gary King, Gcm, Gotyear, Greekscavenger, Greenlightracer, Gwguffey, H falcon, H82bl8, Halo Jerk1, Hardeak, Hargle, Hektor, Henrik, Holderca1, pilot 01, Horst-schlaemma, Hu12, Hunter1084, Hydrogen Iodide, Idiotcountry, Ikonetic, Iosef, Iriseyes, Isnow, Ivan Pozdeev, IvanLanin, JForget, Japanesesportcars, Jdforrester, Jeff3000, Jimkk29, Jimp, Joe11miles, Johnmcenroy, JonGwynne, Jprg1966, Judzillah, Karrmann, Keithlard, Kierant, King Of Aviators, Kuyabribri, Lake of radium, Leif, LifestyleAuto, Liftarn, Lightmouse, Lijunarayan, Logan, Luca Marinelli, Luckyz, Lugia2453, LukeWiller, Mac, Maddie!, Malcolma, Marc Lacoste, Mark83, Masentaa, Matthead, Mdchachi, Mechocom, MegX, Menphrad, Mikaey, Mike Rosoft, Mikeo, Milkmandan, Mirv, Mogism, Mojo Hand, Morven, MrDrew508, MrOllie, Mrand, Mrchickenpop, MuZemike, Mwanner, NSX-Racer, NaBUru38, Nasnema, Nasty, NawlinWiki, NeilN, Nick Number, NightCrawler, Nrbelex, Ohconfucius, Ohnoitsjamie, Oligarf, Paksitan, Panyd, Patrick, Pdcook, Pearle, Phantomsteve, Philip Trueman, Pineapple fez, Pmsyyz, Porsche997SBS, Possum, Pratj, Professor Fairness, Psb777, Pugimak, Rachard, Randy G, RedBeauty84ZX, RedWolf, Rich Farmbrough, Rmantech, Robert, Robert Merkel, Robertkeller, Ronhjones, Ryanaxp, SamBlob, SamH, Sampashi, Senators, Sennen goroshi, Seraphim, Sevilledade, Sfoskett, Shadowhillway, Shanes, ShangWang, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, Slow Riot, Smjg, Snori, Snowolf, Soakologist, Sparky2069, Speeddemonvegas, Spute, Stephen Hui, Steven J. Anderson, Strykerhorse, Sunnyd12, SuperFlankerXX, Superstator, Sussandy, Swaq, TastyPoutine, Tbhotch, Tekana, The Founders Intent, Thesavagenorwegian, Thumperward, Tide rolls, Tim Starling, Tornvmax, Trekphiler, TutterMouse, TwoOneTwo, Typ932, Umqothu, Uncle Milty, Unshortness, Vcorani, Vegaswikian, Victor-435, Vincentkoay9, Vrenator, WEKS, WadeSimMiser, Wavelength, Wayne Slam, Weatherheights, Welsh, WhiteDragon, Wikicalvin299, Wikisplasher, Wikiuser100, Willirennen, Writegeist, Xander95, Zach4636, Zalgo, Zoicon5, Zscout370, Zunaid, 521 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Mazda mx-5 na europe.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mazda_mx-5_na_europe.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Original uploader was Calermo at de.wikipedia File:1912 .jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1912_Vauxhall_Prince_Henry.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Herranderssvensson File:1910 Austro-Daimler Prince Henry.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1910_Austro-Daimler_Prince_Henry.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Brian Snelson File:NW Rennzweier 1.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:NW_Rennzweier_1.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Cimmerian praetor File:1934 Aston Martin Ulster.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1934_Aston_Martin_Ulster.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Eddaido, Erika39, 1 anonymous edits File:Lotus Elan.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lotus_Elan.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: dave_z28ca File:911SCjubi1981.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:911SCjubi1981.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Original uploader was Jubi88 at de.wikipedia (Original text : Michael Schwan) File:1977x19.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1977x19.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Nagasakee File:LotusSuper7.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:LotusSuper7.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Kobac, Liftarn File:Bucket seat with Schroth six-point harness in a 2010 GT3 RS 3.8.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bucket_seat_with_Schroth_six-point_harness_in_a_2010_Porsche_997_GT3_RS_3.8.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: FAEP, FlickreviewR, Kobac, MB-one, Morio, Pitke File:ArielAtomGoodwood.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ArielAtomGoodwood.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: Kobac

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