Updated at: 18-08-2021 - By: micdot

A sport car is a type of car with various features that make it suitable for high-performance driving. Nowadays, sport car is a very popular term, and it is used for any type of high-performance car. The classification of sport car types are often based on the intended purposes, such as circuit racing or road use.

In this article, we will discuss and introduce some sport car types.

What Is Sport Car

Sports cars is also often called a racing car, with the same meaning but different pronunciation. The main difference between a sports car and a racing car is that the sport car is designed to be comfy while the racing car has many high-performance features for top speed.

Sports cars have bigger engines than normal cars, with larger displacement and more horsepower. They also have stronger gearboxes and better suspension for stability at high speeds. All of these features make them suitable for racing.

The name “sports car” traces its roots to the original land-based competition held in England in the early 1900s known as “Athletic Club” races, initiated by the AAA (Automobile Association of America) to set formal standards for “road-going cars”.

Types of Sport Cars

Sport Sedan

Sport Sedan

Sport sedan is often called a “sports saloon”. The term “sedan” refers to its body style, which usually has two rows of seats in the front and another row behind it.

Many sports sedans offered are equipped with a high-performance engine. It is designed to manage power and aerodynamic properties. They have high top speed because of a stronger engine, but it isn’t good in handling.

Sports sedan types are often categorized by the size of its body, including mid-size sports sedans, compact sports sedans and full-size sports sedans.

Examples of sports sedans: Volkswagen Passat R36, Ferrari 488 GTB, Audi RS7 Sportback, Maserati GranTurismo S (2009), Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (2014)

Sports Coupe

Red Generic Sports Coupe Car isolated on white background

Sports coupes are often considered as a cross between a sports sedan and an exotic car. Sports coups have better handling than the larger cars because they are lighter in weight than sports sedans. 

Sport coupes usually have mid- to large-sized engines. Sport coupes are often categorized by their engine displacement (the amount of air or fuel that the engine can hold). It can be either a large or small displacement engine.

Examples of sports coupes are BMW M3, Audi TT and Ford Mustang.

Sports Car Convertible (Cabriolet)

Sports Car Convertible (Cabriolet)

A sports car convertible (cabriolet) has no top, the occupants are protected by an open-air roof. It is also called a “coupe” or “drophead”, according to its body style with either two doors and seats two passengers, or a four doors and seats four passengers.

Sports car convertibles are often larger than sport coupes because it has a bigger engine and more space for its occupants. However, they can’t be heavier as sports cars with hardtop like coupe models. Sports car convertibles usually have large engines, but smaller than the engines found in the sports coupes. An advantage of a sports car convertible is that it can be used both in summer and winter because there is no need to worry about rain or snow entering the vehicle.

Sports car convertibles are categorized into two: Grand Touring convertibles, which have more comfort features and luxury amenities than regular convertibles; Super-sports convertibles, which are equipped with the fastest engines and aerodynamic properties.

Sport car convertible types are often called by their body styles: roadster sports car convertibles (a type of traditional-style convertible), fastback sport car convertibles (a type of hardtop that has a sloping rear roofline) and shooting brake sports car convertibles (a type of wagon/estate car with a convertible top).

Examples of sport car convertibles: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro S tronic, Jaguar XK (2010), Porsche 911 convertible (2012)

Sport Car Gran Turismo

Sport Car Gran Turismo

Sports cars have better handling than the larger cars because they are lighter in weight than sports sedans.

Sport coupes are often lighter than an SUV but heavier than a true sports car (like Porsche Boxster) due to its larger engine displacement. It can be either a large or small displacement engine.

Examples of Sports Cars Gran Turismo are: BMW M6, Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT.

Sports Car Mini

Sports Car Mini

A sports car mini is also a type of sport car that has two doors, two passenger seats and one row. The only difference between a sports car and a sports car mini is that the latter is smaller than the former. Sports cars are often considered as cross between sports sedans and exotic cars, while sports cars minis are usually smaller both in size but also in engine displacement (amount of air or fuel that an engine can hold). Sport cars minis usually have smaller engines than sports cars but it is still bigger than that of a sports sedan.

Examples of Sports Cars Minis are: Mazda RX-8, Acura RSX Type S, Mini Cooper S, Smart ForFour Brabus

Sport Car Supercar (Exotics)

Sport Car Supercar (Exotics)

A supercar is considered to be the fastest or the most luxurious model in each automobile manufacturer’s line up. Sports cars have better handling than the larger cars because they are lighter in weight than sports sedans. 

Supercars usually have large or very-large engines. Sports cars supercars are often categorized by their engine displacement (the amount of air or fuel that the engine can hold). It can be either a large or very-large displacement engine.

Examples of supercars are: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and Pagani Huayra

Hatchback Sport Car

Hatchback Sport Car

Hatchback Sport Car has a small size. The advantage of having a hatchback over another type of car is that half of the car’s rear seats can be folded flat to make room for large objects, such as skis or bicycles. Sport cars are often considered as a cross between sports sedans and exotic cars, while hatchback sport cars are usually smaller both in size but also in engine displacement (amount of air or fuel that an engine can hold).

Examples of hatchback sport cars are: Audi TT, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Focus RS

Sport Wagon/Estate Car Sport Car

Sport Wagon

Wagons/estate cars often come with larger engine displacement (amount of air or fuel that an engine can hold) compared to sports sedans, coupes and convertibles. 

Wagon/Estate Sport Car usually has better and larger space for luggage. The luggage space is also part of what makes it different from a sport sedan. It can be either a large or very-large displacement engine.

Sports Wagon/Estate Sport Car examples are: Chevrolet Impala Turbo, Ford Taurus SHO and Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring Sports Wagon

Grand Touring Sport Car

Grand Touring Sport Car

A grand touring car often comes with larger engine displacement (amount of air or fuel that an engine can hold) compared to grand touring sedans.

Grand Touring Sport Car examples are: Jaguar XJR, Lexus LS 600h Premium Luxury sedan and Mercedes Benz E550 Cabriolet

Pros and Cons of a Sport Car

Pros and Cons of a Sport Car

Pros

A Sport car has a powerful engine.

Sport cars are relatively smaller in size, lower center of gravity, which gives them better handling.

Sports cars usually have better cornering and acceleration.

Cons

Sport cars have less space compared to a sport sedan because it has only two doors. The lack of space means that it becomes a challenge to take long trips is more people in the car.

Sports car has a low ground clearance because its engine and suspension systems are placed low in the body (underneath or under). This makes them vulnerable during driving on rough, bumpy and unpaved roads.

Some sports cars are more expensive than other models from the same manufacturer. For example, an M3 is more expensive than a BMW 3 Series Sedan (328i).

FAQs

What features should I look for when buying a Sport Car?

When purchasing a sport car, it is important that you are considering the make and model of your favorite cars.

Driving performance is essential when purchasing a sport car, so you must consider the engine displacement, power and torque (amount of force applied in rotational motion). Make sure to test drive the car before purchasing one to ensure that the car’s acceleration or cornering is responsive and that you can control it easily. You must also consider how the vehicle handles sharp turns, bumps and moisture as well.

Sports cars usually have two doors (front and rear) while most sedans have four doors. The number of doors is something to consider when buying a sports car because they can be either two or four doors.

You should also look at the appearance of the sports car you want to purchase and see if they suit your personality/taste. Some sport cars have their engine badges in front, engine displacement size written at the center, while some are located under a hood.

How do I maintain my Sport Car?

When maintaining your sport car, you should ask for a service manual. Service manual usually gives detailed instruction on how to maintain your vehicle properly and safely and also outlines the standard maintenance schedule.

When maintaining your sport car, make sure to check the fluid levels of brake fluid (Brake Fluid Level Check), coolant liquid (Coolant levels check) and transmission fluid on a regular basis. Other important maintenance tasks include changing the engine air filter, keeping your tires properly inflated and doing routine tune-ups.

Do you need a special driving license to drive a Sport Car?

In the United States, there is no specific driver’s license for sports cars. However, some states may have laws requiring drivers of sport cars to get a specialized sport car driver’s license. There are also some states that require sport car owners to purchase insurance for their cars with higher coverage limits than regular cars.

Other countries like Australia and United Kingdom have specific driver’s licenses for some types of sports cars like Supercars, Formula One, Racing Car and Grand Prix Cars among others.

In the UK, a special license is required to drive a sports car after you pass your driving test for normal cars. In Canada, drivers are not required to have any special licenses/certification to drive sport cars. However, drivers are required to have a license/permit to drive any type of vehicle in the province they live.

To sum up, there are no laws that specify a special license need for sports cars.

What are some of the different types of Sport Cars that you can buy?

There are lots of sports cars that you can choose from when looking to purchase a sport car. Some of these include Camaro, Corvette, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT3 and many more.

What are the benefits of having a Sport Car?

The benefits of owning a sports car can go to your mind. When you own, drive and maintain a sport car, it makes you feel good about yourself because firstly, you like driving fast cars.

Secondly, when you have a sport car means that you are very old and wise to own a fast car. Moreover, it makes you feel good inside knowing that the vehicle you are driving can beat other vehicles in its class or even those on another level because these cars have great built quality and performance that everyone is afraid of.

It helps boost your ego when friends come over and want to ride with you as they see you as an individual who has its own special level and class. Its like a dream come true when people look at you from the side view mirror pointing their finger to your car because they know that it is very fast.

Who can drive sport cars?

Sport cars are for anyone above 17 years old, especially those who have held a drivers license for at least two years and has had no major violations or accidents. But, there are rules and regulations on who can drive sport cars in the US and Canada which are similar to those of any other vehicle. Drivers should be at least 18 years old to drive super cars like Corvette, Porsche 911 GT3 and Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR through a state’s graduated driver licensing program or provisional license.

Drivers are also required to carry and display a special card/metal plate in the vehicle that indicates they have passed or failed the state’s driving test for sport cars. This makes it easier for other drivers on the road to identify if an approaching vehicle is driven by an experienced driver or not especially when the vehicle is moving faster than others.

What is the maximum speed of a sport car?

The maximum speed of a sport car depends on its engine size. Some sport cars, such as Ferrari, have very large engines that can reach high rpm (revolutions per minute).

The answer to this question depends on the car’s engine (air or fuel). For example, Subaru WRX STI has a 2.5L boxer/boxer turbo that can reach 305kph (190mph).

What is the best sport car?

Sport cars are often categorized by their engine displacement (the amount of air or fuel that an engine can hold). It can be either large or very-large displacement engine.

Examples of supercars are: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Conclusion

This is some generic information on the different types of sport cars. We hope you found the article interesting. Thank you for reading!