Full-size car

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2001 BMW 750iL

The Ford Falcon, a popular Australian full-size car

A full-size car is a buzzword (Marketing speak) used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. The American EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars.

Full-size is defined in measurement as greater than 120 ft³ (3,300 L) of interior volume.[1] Previously, a wheelbase greater than 2.79 metres (110 inches) was the criterion. The term first appeared in the early 1960's to define what also became known as "standard" size cars from the new compact and intermediate models then being introduced.

Due to the growing length of wheelbases among mid-size luxury sedan, however, the overall length of the vehicles has become another factor to take into account as well. Full-size cars should therefore also feature an overall length of more than 5m (197 in).

A "large family car," the equivalent class in Australian terms, is often denoted by width. Therefore, the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are considered large cars in the Australian and New Zealand markets. These cars are sometimes referred to as "family cars" in Australia, and are typically 4.8m (about 15ft 9in) or more in length, with six-cylinder or V8 engines.

In Europe, the terms "executive car" and "luxury car" may refer to cars of this size (which are mostly luxury cars), such as the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Jaguar XJ.

1 Decline and renaissance
2 List of full-size cars
- 2.1 Current full-size cars
- 2.2 Recent full-size cars
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Decline and renaissance

The sales of full-size vehicles in the United States declined after the early 1970s fuel crisis. By that time, full-size cars had grown to wheelbases of 3.07 to 3.23m (121 to 127 in), and overall lengths of around 5.72m (225 in). Though most cars throughout the 1970s remained full-sized, the GM vehicle downsizing of the late 1970s and consumer preference leaning more towards sporty automobiles caused sales to decline well into the 1990s. With the rise of the SUV, fewer and fewer customers whose preferences were still leaning toward full-size cars bought sedans.

It was not until significant gas price increases made SUV usage very expensive that full-size sedan sales recovered. This surge in sales was further fueled by the introduction of popular new models such as the Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum.

In Europe, full-size cars have only recently gained in popularity. During the 1980s, full-size cars were rare in Europe, but now they have become a common sight. In Germany, full-size cars make up 15% of the total number of cars (VDA annual report), roughly the same average as in the United States.