Define Supercar?

[Davel]

At what stage do cars become supercars?

As a child I always wanted a 911 or Ferrari.

I've now had an older 911 SC Targa, a 308 GT 4 and now an XK8 but are these really supercars or do you have to spend a much higher budget to qualify as able to own one?

-and no I still haven't grown up...

[ccam84]

[mike s]

Any car in Purple Paradise

[v8thunder]

Actually, I think a Caterham, in it's correct specification, can be described as a 'supercar'.

IMO, a 'supercar' is a car which is developed directly from it's company's racing technology. Going from this definition (as Classic Cars magazine agrees), such cars as Blower Bentleys and Alfa Monzas are, therefore, supercars. Although such companies as Lamborghini and Pagani have little motorsport history, they are constructed using techniques learned through the study of racing cars. Indeed, you could say the Zonda is related to the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and the McLaren F1 car, but this brings us into another level: hypercars. Hypercars are constructed with only speed in mind, so LeMans homologation specials and the 200 mph club are hypercars.
So yes, a racing-spec Caterham can be seen as a supercar, as can a Lotus Esprit, Honda NSX, Porsche 911 and Ferrari 360, as they are all connected, in some way, to their company's motorsport development.

Oh, and by the way, I think that Countach is a replica - the only ones with side-sills were the straked-vent, wingless 25th anniversary editions

>> Edited by v8thunder on Tuesday 21st October 14:47

[v8thunder]

Yes, but in different degrees. Most 'supercars' I mentioned were really single-purpose machines. I suppose sports saloons with supercar performance, such as the BMW M5 and Lotus Carlton have their 'supercar' credentials compromised somewhat, although they do fall into sub-catagories not associated with the 'pure supercar', more like the 'super-saloon', 'rally supercar' and so on, as they fulfill other roles well too.

[yiw1393]

v8thunder said:

Oh, and by the way, I think that Countach is a replica - the only ones with side-sills were the straked-vent, wingless 25th anniversary editions >> Edited by v8thunder on Tuesday 21st October 14:47

Agreed!

It looks too 'small'

[Mad Dave]

If you have to ask if its a supercar, it isnt one

With true supercars, you just know

[joolzb]

Somebody told me that to be classed as a supercar, the car would have to be mid engined, it's a bit tricky in my metro as that's where I sit. I know that's not the only factor but meant that that's why TVRs didn't qualify.

Or am I doing it wrong??

[Plotloss]

Anything capable of more than 170mph.

[v12bry]

Have to agree with that sentiment. You just get a feeling. Different people have different ideas, but I reckon the big money, outlandish styling and the ability to hit 180mph+ makes it a supercar.

That said, my fave (Lamborghini Miura) is suggested that its top speed was no more than 170mph due to its lack of downforce and a bit of "Italian optimism" at the launch!

[craigw]

I think when I was a kid the supercars were: 911 flatnose turbo, Countach, Tesrarossa.

Things have moved on a little, fairly average cars can get to 60 in 5 seconds and eventually 150mph.Today I think the only true contemporary supercars are:

In no particular order:

Zonda
Murcielago
Enzo
Saleen
Koenigsegg (a zig ah)
Porsche Carrera GT

apologies if I've forgotten anything.

[dick dastardly]

Gazboy said:

Difficult to define, possibly a car with a single purpose of going fast, however this includes caterfields, and IMO they are not supercars.

The description should then be "a car with a single purpose of going fast, unmistakable looks and which is too expensive for mere mortals"

[phib]

I have always used the "athena" (if thats how it was spelt) test wouuld athena put it on a poster and wuld I buy the poster i.e.

911 Turbo cab Yes

Testarossa Yes

caterham No

Very simplistic I know !!!

[pwig]

TVR Cerbera Speed 12
Lamborghini Diablo, Miura, Countach and Murky Lager.
Ferrari 288GTO, 512TR, F40, F50 and Enzo
Nissan R390GT1
Toyota GT1
Saleen S7
Aston Martin Vantage 600
Jag XJ220
McLaren F1
Pagani Zonda
Bugatti EB110
Dauer 962 Le Mans
Porsche 959, Carerra GT, 911 GT1.
Merc CLK-GTR
Ford GT40
Spyker C8.
Koeienngggeeegggnnnneeiiizzz

There we go, THE definitive supercar list.

[Stig]

Look to the left of this post

[Byff]

I think a sports car becomes a supercar when its arse is out of proportion to its front.

Take the testarossa for example - normal track at the front, cockpit slightly wider and arse end simply huge.

I suppose that compares with J-Lo, skinny top end and fat arse - thats why shes a superstar as opposed to just being a star.

[pwig]

Stig said:

Look to the left of this post

Its a kit car.

[dino ferrana]

I probably wouldn't define the R500 as a supercar. I would happily have a picture of one on my wall.

There are only a couple of cars faster to 60 mph and none quicker 0-100-0 mph. Top speed is a little irrelevant most of the time unless you happen to live in Germany.

[dino ferrana]

pwig

What about the Edonis?

Would love to drive a Vantage V600! What a noise.

[chaparral]

My definition works, at least for cars sold in the United States...

If it is road legal and can beat a six-speed standard Corvette coupe around a track in the hands of the same skilled driver, it is a supercar.