What makes a supercar a supercar?

[Ferrer]

so what about all the japanese supercars like the NSX?

In my opinion the NSX isn't really a supercar, it's a fine everyday usable sportscar.

[Kooper]

To quote Gordon Murray:

"A supercar must have a sense of occasion..."

[The_Canuck]

In my opinion the NSX isn't really a supercar, it's a fine everyday usable sportscar.

oh come on! when it first came out it was as fast as anything else, had inspiring looks and was new and cutting edge. if it isn't a supercar now it at least was one when it came out.

[nota]

'Supercar' has a different connotation to Aussies, as witnessed by these press clippings from July 1972. Back then and even today, the title of Super Car referred to a vehicle of unusual and exceptional road performance - even if based on a humble two or four-door production sedan - and did not aply to Porsche/Ferrari etc which came under the mantle of GT cars

Holden’s super car is a V8 Holden Torana, which will replace the XU1 as GM-H’s top competition car. With its light body and big engine, it is potentially the fastest car ever built here. It could have an estimated top speed of 160 mph. Weight of the V8 Torana is believed to be only 65lb greater than the six-cylinder XU1, although power has received a 50 per cent boost. The engine has been fitted further back in the body-shell and handling is reputed to be superior to that of the XU1. The car has a close ratio gearbox (with 120 mph possible in third!) and wide alloy wheels.


Fords “bullet on wheels” is the tremendously powerful GTHO Phase IV, capable of sustaining a maximum speed of 152 mph. The Big Three are preparing their cars for a clash in Australia’s most important motor race – the Bathurst Hardie-Ferodo 500.
The race will be run on October 1.

All three super cars will be available to the General Public.

http://www.brock05.com/scrapbook1.php

[deadkennedys180]

the whole "under 55.5 inches" is awsome

lol

[jump15vc]

so what about all the japanese supercars like the NSX? or how about the Mosler MT900s? and Dodge Viper?(hennesy too)

The Mosler is barely a production car and a viper doesnt become a supercar because john hennesey slapped a couple turbos on

[clutch-monkey]

no. stupid character limit

[2ndclasscitizen]

Still cool though.

[clutch-monkey]

indeed. it is certainly capable that's for sure

[PerfAdv]

How about that new Prodrive car based on WRX mechanicals, is it a supercar?

EDIT: The Prodrive P2.

[Ferrer]

How about that new Prodrive car based on WRX mechanicals, is it a supercar?

EDIT: The Prodrive P2.

In my opinion it's a sportscar.

[early93viper]

A Supercar is a car that has increadible performance for it's day (acceleration, handling, braking etc.), it must have two seats, and it must be a rare car.

Super Cars:

All 2 seater Ferrari's

All 2 Seater Lamborghini cars

C6 Corvette Z06

Ford GT and Ford GT 40

All two seater Aston Martin's

Lotus Esprit

Viper

Etc.

[Sauc3]

it must have two seats

Right, so no McLaren F1 inclusive then.

[derekthetree]

supercar = unable to reverse. at all.

thus the invention of the circular driveway

[PerfAdv]

In my opinion it's a sportscar.

I don't think it's a supercar either. So, it's not just performance that makes a car a supercar, it's also price and exclusivity. Otherwise, even the Exige might be considered a "supercar".

In addition to all the performance a supercar has to be very expensive and exclusive. So, eventhough the V8 Ferraris meet all the other criteria they aren't quite rare enough to be supercars, IMO.