Car classification
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. Not all car types are sold in all countries and names differ in some cases between British and American English. The following are commonly used classifications within the Wikipedia. Where applicable, the relevant EuroNCAP classifications are shown.
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[edit] Microcar
Straddling the boundary between car and motorbike, these vehicles have engines of only a few hundred ccs, typically seat only 2 people, and are generally unorthodox in construction. Many only have three wheels. They are especially associated with post-war Europe, where their appearance led them to be called Bubble cars. A contrast to the traditional microcar is the modern Smart Fortwo.
Examples of microcars:
[edit] Hatchback
[edit] City car
A city car is a small car intended for use in urban areas. Unlike microcars, city car's greater speed and occupant protection allow relative safety in mixed traffic environments and in all weather conditions. While it may be capable of freeway speeds this is not the main purpose of the car.
In Japan, a specially restricted type of these (under 3400 mm long) are called the kei car, where taxes and insurance are lower.
Examples of city cars:
[edit] Supermini / Subcompact car
This class, known as superminis in Europe and subcompact cars in North America, covers the not-so-small hatchbacks and the smallest sedans. These vehicles are the smallest cars widely sold in the North American market. They have usually three, four or five doors and are designed to seat comfortably four adults and a child, but can take five adults. Current supermini hatchbacks are around 3.90m long and sedans 4.20m long.
In Europe, the first superminis were the Fiat 500 of 1957 and the Austin Mini of 1959. Today, superminis are some of the biggest selling cars in Europe.
Examples of superminis / subcompact cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Superminis'.
[edit] Small family car / Compact car
Compact cars are usually referred to the longest hatchbacks or the smallest family cars. Nowadays they are about 4250 mm, have room for five adults and their engines are usually around 1.6-litre to 2.0-litre.
Examples of hatchback small family cars / compact cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.
[edit] Sedan/saloon and station wagon / estate
- Main article: Sedan (aka saloon)
- Main article: Station wagon (aka estate)
[edit] Small family car / compact car
These models usually share many components with hatchbacks of the same automakers; sometines, the only changes are the car's back ends. The average length of sedans/saloons and station wagons/estates is 4500 mmm, and they have room for five adults and a larger boot, depending on the size. This class makes up the largest percentage of vehicles in most developed countries.
Examples of small family cars / compact cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.
[edit] Large family car / mid-size car
These models have room for five adults and a larger boot than small family cars / compact cars. Engines are also more powerful, with 6-cylinder units much more common than in smaller cars.
Examples of large family cars / mid-size cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Family Cars'.
[edit] Full-size car
These term is mostly used in North America and Australasia, where it refers to the largest sedans in the market. Full-size cars may be well over 5000 mm long and are roomier than smaller models.
Examples of full-size cars:
[edit] Compact executive car / Entry-level luxury car
They are the luxurious equivalents of large family cars and compact cars respectively. Powerful 6-cylinder and V8 engines are common, while rear seat room and trunk capacity tend to be inferior than in "non-luxury" models.
Examples of compact executive cars / entry-level luxury cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Family Cars'.
[edit] Executive car / Mid-luxury car
An executive car or mid-luxury car is larger than a compact executive car / entry-level luxury carare typically four-door sedans/saloons. They are usually very roomy, powerful and luxurious, which is a reason why they are more expensive than "standard" sedans.
Examples of executive cars / mid-luxury cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Executive Cars'.
[edit] Full-size luxury car
A full-size luxury car are typically four-door sedans/saloons. They are usually very roomy, powerful and luxurious, which is a reason why they are more expensive than "standard" sedans.
Examples of full-size luxury cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Executive Cars'.
[edit] Sportive cars
[edit] Hot hatch / sport compact
A hot hatch or sport compact is a high-performance small car, usually a hatchback, based on standard superminis or small family cars, with improved straight line performance, handling and styling. Hot hatches make up a large section of the market for hatchbacks. In America, sport compacts are often built as sedans or coupes, rather than hatchbacks.
Examples of sport compacts:
Examples of Hot Hatches:
[edit] Sports sedan / saloon
These are high performance versions of sedans. Originally homologated for production based motorsports (touring cars) and like sedans, seats four people.
Examples of sports sedans / saloons:
[edit] Sports car
This small lightweight class combines performance and handling. Often inspired by racing vehicles. This class ranges from sporty vehicles such as the MX-5 to derivatives of true racing thoroughbreds such as the Lotus Elise.
Examples of sports cars:
[edit] Grand tourer
Larger, more powerful and heavier than sports cars, these vehicles typically have a FR layout and seating for four or 2+2. They are more expensive than sports cars but not than supercars, and often combine modern technology with hand-built construction.
Examples of grand tourers:
[edit] Supercar
They are ultra-high performance cars, typically very expensive, luxurious, and exceptionally fast. Supercars typically contain cutting-edge technology, and may be assembled partly or completely by hand.
Examples of supercars:
- See also: List of supercars
[edit] Muscle car
The Muscle car produced in the US and Australia. The first muscle cars appeared in the mid 1960s and died off in the US during the early 1970s due to a combination of spiralling insurance costs and the 1973 energy crisis. Muscle cars achieved continued popularity in Australia until the early 1980s. A smaller offshoot, the pony car, still exists in the form of the Ford Mustang. The epitome of brute-force power, these cars shoe-horned giant engines into mid-sized cars which were often, from the factory, inadequate to handle the power and performance; handling was subordinate to straight-line acceleration. Although modern high-performance American coupes and sedans with large engines are often called "muscle cars", they are very different in design and character from the muscle cars of old.
Examples of US muscle cars:
Examples of Australian muscle cars:
[edit] Cabriolet / convertible
Also called an open saloon, roadster or drop-head coupe, this type of car has a roof (fabric, vinyl, metal or glass) which can be folded away. Convertibles were very popular in hotter places before the advent of automotive air-conditioning, but also in colder climates (so that in summer the driver can enjoy driving oper-air the few warm days). 2-seater convertible sports cars are commonly named roadster or spyders.
Examples of cabriolets / convertibles:
[edit] 4x4
Also know as off-roaders, there are two general trends among them: SUVs and crossover SUVs.
[edit] SUVs
SUVs are off-road vehicles with a body-on-frame chassis, four-wheel drive and true offroad capability. SUVs have severe problems with crash incompatibility, and are typically of more primitive design than smaller cars. Combined with serious handling issues in some vehicles due to the high centre of gravity, this makes them a dangerous vehicle in inexperienced hands.
Examples of 4x4s / SUVs:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Off-Roaders'.
[edit] Crossover SUV
Crossover SUVs have a monocoque construction and relatively normal ground clearance. Some of them use electronic systems like traction control and pneumatic/hydraulic suspension, which give them good capability in many off-road situations, particularly sand and graded roads.
Examples of crossover SUVs:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Off-Roaders'.
[edit] Minivan / MPV
Also known as people carriers, this class of cars resemble family cars but are taller with a shorter hood/bonnet and are designed for maximum practicality. The larger minivans may have seating for seven or eight people.
The increased height of these vehicles above a family car improves visibility for the driver (while reducing visibility for other road users) and may help access for the elderly or disabled. They also offer more seats and increased load capacity over their similar low-roof models.
Examples of mini MPVs:
Examples of compact MPVs:
Both categories are equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small MPVs'.
Examples of large MPVs / minivans:
- Chevrolet Venture
- Peugeot 807
- Ssangyong Rodius
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'MPVs'.
[edit] Van (USA)
Outside of the US, the term 'Van' may refer to a small panel van based around a car or light truck - but within the US, the term 'Van' refers to vehicles that are even larger than large MPVs and are rarely seen being driven by ordinary families (except for conversion vans).
They possess extremely large interior space and poor driving dynamics, and are often more intended for hauling cargo than people. Most vans use body-on-frame construction and are thus suitable for extensive modification and coachwork, known as conversion. Conversion vans are often quite luxurious, boasting comfortable seats, soft rides, built-in support for electronics such as television sets, and other amenities. The more elaborate conversion vans straddle the line between cars and recreational vehicles.
Examples of vans:
