Definition of a supercar
Discussion
A few people are getting unnecessarily defensive and/or insulting in the Lambo Gallardo thread 
The problem appears to be primarily that people's definitions of a "supercar" vary.
So, I thought I'd ask the question of what is a "supercar".
For me, (in no particular order) it's:
- a car that is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority to afford to buy and also run;
- a car that looks exotic and striking;
- a car which is rare (e.g. under 1,500 or so built);
- a car that can reach 200mph (ish);
- a car that accelerates rapidly (sub 10 seconds to 100mph);
- a car you will only see once a year on the roads IF you are lucky;
- a car when parked amongst a group of Ferraris/Lamborghinis (and others of it's brand, if any) still stands out and turns heads;
- a car kids will put posters up of on their bedroom walls;
- a car that is impractical and difficult for the average motorist to drive;
- a car which the general public AND petrolheads will virtually unanimously see as being a supercar
It needs to be ALL of these things to qualify, in MY eyes.
A few examples, not an exhaustive list, and not in order: Countach, Diablo, F40, F50, Enzo, McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda.
I'd also add the Lotus Elise GT1 to the list, although I suspect some of you may dispute my choice, hence it would fail my last test.
Clearly not all of these are necessarily good to drive (i.e. the Lamborghinis), but all are supercars in my view. Cars that easily don't qualify in my view include all Gallardos, F360's and F430's. Sorry They are great cars, and even super cars, but not supercars in my eyes.
What are everyone's thoughts please?
The problem appears to be primarily that people's definitions of a "supercar" vary. So, I thought I'd ask the question of what is a "supercar".
For me, (in no particular order) it's:
- a car that is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority to afford to buy and also run;
- a car that looks exotic and striking;
- a car which is rare (e.g. under 1,500 or so built);
- a car that can reach 200mph (ish);
- a car that accelerates rapidly (sub 10 seconds to 100mph);
- a car you will only see once a year on the roads IF you are lucky;
- a car when parked amongst a group of Ferraris/Lamborghinis (and others of it's brand, if any) still stands out and turns heads;
- a car kids will put posters up of on their bedroom walls;
- a car that is impractical and difficult for the average motorist to drive;
- a car which the general public AND petrolheads will virtually unanimously see as being a supercar
It needs to be ALL of these things to qualify, in MY eyes.
A few examples, not an exhaustive list, and not in order: Countach, Diablo, F40, F50, Enzo, McLaren F1, Pagani Zonda.
I'd also add the Lotus Elise GT1 to the list, although I suspect some of you may dispute my choice, hence it would fail my last test.
Clearly not all of these are necessarily good to drive (i.e. the Lamborghinis), but all are supercars in my view. Cars that easily don't qualify in my view include all Gallardos, F360's and F430's. Sorry
They are great cars, and even super cars, but not supercars in my eyes. What are everyone's thoughts please?
FLAME SUIT ON - This smegging argument again!
Any CURRENT car that can clock 170+ is a supercar this includes TVR's, Ultima's e.t.c.
200+ is Hypercar (Zonda, Enzo, yes even a murchi)
The problem now is we have the 220+ cars, or Ultracars (veyron, kernnnsisisisisig, Mc F1 )
Speeds must be acheived on demand. Not just in perfect conditions.
If it's cost, buy yourself a gold plated skoda.
On look alone, some of the best looking cars have been dogs to drive and not very fast by todays standard.
If you judge on reliability then my pug 205 was a ultracar. Bloody tempramental thing.
The thought of owning a supercar (Gallardo ) and it being reliable. Is somthing that makes me D). It's expensive (by average cars). It drives well (Yet to try). It gose quick. And it's good looking. Yes, it should have had the doors!. I would prefer a Murchi. But i would be totally happy with a gallardo.
To me the TVR, Noble and Ultima are supercars. There is a serious snob issue with a lot of people regarding these cars.
If you own any car that can do 170+ then your not driving a normal car. You have to be in supercar teritory. Even if it's a de-limited
euro-box.
Looks count for about 20% of its supercarness. This is very subjective.
p.s.
I'll be at www.carsinthepark.org.uk event if you wish to discuss.
Any CURRENT car that can clock 170+ is a supercar this includes TVR's, Ultima's e.t.c.
200+ is Hypercar (Zonda, Enzo, yes even a murchi)
The problem now is we have the 220+ cars, or Ultracars (veyron, kernnnsisisisisig, Mc F1 )
Speeds must be acheived on demand. Not just in perfect conditions.
If it's cost, buy yourself a gold plated skoda.
On look alone, some of the best looking cars have been dogs to drive and not very fast by todays standard.
If you judge on reliability then my pug 205 was a ultracar. Bloody tempramental thing.
The thought of owning a supercar (Gallardo ) and it being reliable. Is somthing that makes me D). It's expensive (by average cars). It drives well (Yet to try). It gose quick. And it's good looking. Yes, it should have had the doors!. I would prefer a Murchi. But i would be totally happy with a gallardo.
To me the TVR, Noble and Ultima are supercars. There is a serious snob issue with a lot of people regarding these cars.
If you own any car that can do 170+ then your not driving a normal car. You have to be in supercar teritory. Even if it's a de-limited
euro-box.
Looks count for about 20% of its supercarness. This is very subjective.
p.s.
I'll be at www.carsinthepark.org.uk event if you wish to discuss.
Chris,
You've unfortunately just copied and pasted from the Gallardo thread. I've already stated that in my view it's not just speed or cost.
Are you suggesting speed is the [only] determinant of supercar status?
Anyway, I was trying to move on from the "argument", and move onto reaching "agreement" in the forum
Lotusjas said:
Chris,
You've unfortunately just copied and pasted from the Gallardo thread. I've already stated that in my view it's not just speed or cost.
Are you suggesting speed is the [only] determinant of supercar status?
Anyway, I was trying to move on from the "argument", and move onto reaching "agreement" in the forum
Yep, cos i typed it just before you posted your new thread. More appropriate on this thread.
Speed 80% and as stated the rest account for 20% at most. The test for looks is finger print count on the window and crowed of people when you park it. Speed is, as we know an absolute. The rest is subjective and open to lots of pub arguments.
I forgot to mention 0-60, 0-100 times. Less that 10 to 100 is Sh1t fast by most books. Sub 4 to 60 is Hypercar, sub 5 Supercar.
This will change overtime as cars get faster. So they must be put in context of year built.
chris_crossley said:
The test for looks is finger print count on the window and crowed of people when you park it.
Cool, so based on the ****y number of fingerprints on my 348 Spider after Groombridge that makes it a supercar
chris_crossley said:
Sub 4 to 60 is Hypercar, sub 5 Supercar.
Again, that 0-60 test would make my Lotus Elise a hypercar
Sorry Chris, but I've got to disagree on both counts
But as I initially said, everyone has their own definition of a supercar.
Lotusjas said:
chris_crossley said:
The test for looks is finger print count on the window and crowed of people when you park it.
Cool, so based on the ****y number of fingerprints on my 348 Spider after Groombridge that makes it a supercar
chris_crossley said:
Sub 4 to 60 is Hypercar, sub 5 Supercar.
Again, that 0-60 test would make my Lotus Elise a hypercar
Sorry Chris, but I've got to disagree on both counts
But as I initially said, everyone has their own definition of a supercar.So does you Lotus do 0-60 sub 4
0-100 in sub 10
and 230+ mph?
In which case it makes it a hypercar
For everyone it fails on it drops down a rung.
Woops forgot:
"Cool, so based on the ****y number of fingerprints on my 348 Spider after Groombridge that makes it a supercar"
Yep it makes it a supercar. Remeber the backdating thing. 348 Nice car, in it's day a supercar.
Just after a sensible yard stick. Won't fit all cases.
Edited by chris_crossley on Wednesday 9th August 14:32
What is a Supercar?
It's simple - they make people go WOW!!!
Little kids stare at your cars, whilst holding onto mummy's hand....
It's like being on the inside of a TV, staring out - as everyone stares at your car...
They make you grin when you walk past them, or they drive by....
You KNOW they're not PC...
And you should get every kind of small willy joke thrown at you....
Sadly, there aren't enough of them...
Anjum
It's simple - they make people go WOW!!!
Little kids stare at your cars, whilst holding onto mummy's hand....
It's like being on the inside of a TV, staring out - as everyone stares at your car...
They make you grin when you walk past them, or they drive by....
You KNOW they're not PC...
And you should get every kind of small willy joke thrown at you....
Sadly, there aren't enough of them...
Anjum
As some may know i was at Modena last week and heard both ferrari/dealers and Lambourghini/factorys describe there products as supercars. Good enough for me. Also it depends on which car you have and in what company. For example i went to he Lambourghini factory in a F456 and it atracted a whole heap of attention, including the Lambourghii test driver. So clearly having a Gallardo in the middle of a pack of Ferraris will atttract the same feedback.
It also depends on who is looking at what car, a super car owner or Joe public. The above list that Jas compiled is a little weak realy becourse my own lowley 355 spider overs 7 or 8 at a push out of the 10
MB: But you know after visiting the Zonda factory and having the tour given by mr Pagani him self. IMO the ultimate super/Hyper car is indeed the Zonda F spider......bar none.]
It also depends on who is looking at what car, a super car owner or Joe public. The above list that Jas compiled is a little weak realy becourse my own lowley 355 spider overs 7 or 8 at a push out of the 10
MB: But you know after visiting the Zonda factory and having the tour given by mr Pagani him self. IMO the ultimate super/Hyper car is indeed the Zonda F spider
......bar none.] Edited by ferrarispider on Wednesday 9th August 16:25
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