Car classification
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Car classification is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories or do not fit well into any. Not all car types are common in all countries and names for the same vehicle can differ by region. Furthermore, some descriptions may be interpreted differently in different places. Broadly speaking, there are a set of classifications which are widely understood in North America, and another set which are somewhat understood in English-speaking contexts in Europe. Some terms borrowed from non-English languages may have different meanings when used in their native language.
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[edit] Classification systems
The following are the most commonly used classifications. Where applicable, the equivalent Euro NCAP classifications are shown. Car rental companies often use the ACRISS Car Classification Code. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has another set of classification rules based on interior passenger and cargo volumes.[1] A similar set of classes is used by the Canadian EPA.[2] In Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries publishes its own classifications.[3]
[edit] Microcar
Straddling the boundary between car and motorbike, these vehicles have engines under 1.0 litre, typically seat only two passengers, and are sometimes unorthodox in construction. Some microcars are three-wheelers, while the majority have four wheels. Microcars were popular in post-war Europe, where their appearance led them to be called "Bubble cars". A descendant of the traditional microcar is the modern Smart Fortwo.
Examples of microcars:
[edit] Hatchbacks, saloons (sedans) and estate cars (station wagons)
[edit] City car
A city car is a small automobile intended for use in urban areas. Unlike microcars, a city car's greater speed, capacity and (in perception at least) occupant protection are safer in mixed traffic environments and weather conditions. While city cars can reach highway speeds, that is not their intended use. In Japan, city cars are called kei cars. Kei cars have to meet strict size and engine requirements: engines have a maximum displacement of 660 cm³ and the car's length must be under 3400 mm.
Examples of kei cars:
Examples of city cars:
[edit] Supermini / Subcompact car
This class is known as supermini in Europe, subcompact in North America. Superminis have three, four or five doors and are designed to seat four passengers comfortably. Current supermini hatchbacks are approximately 3900 mm long, while saloons and estate cars are around 4200 mm long.
In Europe, the first superminis were the Fiat 500 of 1957 and the Austin Mini of 1959. Today, superminis are some of the best selling vehicles in Europe.
In Australia, motoring press tends to distinguish between a light car such as the Daihatsu Charade or early models of the Holden Barina, and slightly larger models such as the Ford Fiesta which is considered to be a small car. As the general size of vehicles in this class has gradually increased, the category of light car has almost disappeared.
Examples of superminis / subcompact cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Superminis".
[edit] Small family car / Compact car
Small family/Compact cars refer to the longest hatchbacks and saloons and estate cars with similar size. They are approximately 4250 mm long in case of hatchbacks and 4500 mm in the case of saloons and estate cars . Compact cars have room for five adults and usually have engines between 1.6 and 2.2 liters. These are the most popular vehicles in most developed countries.
Examples of hatchback small family cars / compact cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Small Family Cars". In Australia, this class is generally referred to as being Small-Medium sized cars.
[edit] Large family car / Mid-size car
Large family/Mid-size cars have room for five adults and a large trunk (boot). Engines are more powerful than small family/compact cars and six-cylinder engines are more common than in smaller cars. Car sizes vary from region to region; in Europe, large family cars are rarely over 4700 mm long, while in North America and Australasia they may be well over 4800 mm.
Examples of large family cars / mid-size cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Large Family Cars". These are known in Australia as Medium sized cars.
[edit] Full-size car / Large car
This term is used most in North America and Australia where it refers to the largest saloons on the market. Full-size cars may be well over 5000 mm long and are the roomiest vehicles.
Examples of full-size cars:
[edit] Compact executive car / Entry-level luxury car
These are luxurious equivalents to large family cars and compact cars. Powerful six- and eight-cylinder engines are common, but rear seat room and boot space are more reduced than in "non-luxury" models since the extra room is needed to accommodate the larger engine.
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 car. They are usually very roomy, powerful and luxurious, making them more expensive than "standard" saloons.
Examples of executive cars / mid-luxury cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Executive Cars".
[edit] Full-size car
A full-size car is typically a four-door saloon. These are the most powerful saloons, with eight and twelve-cylinder engines and have more equipment than smaller models.
Examples of full-size cars:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Executive Cars".
[edit] Sports cars and grand tourers
[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 performance, handling and styling. Hot hatches are very popular in Europe, and orginated from the original Volkswagen Golf GTI. In North America, sport compacts are usually sold as saloons or coupés rather than hatchbacks.
Examples of sport compacts:
Examples of hot hatches:
[edit] Sports saloon / sports sedan
These are high performance versions of saloons. Sometimes originally homologated for production based motorsports (touring cars) and like regular saloons, seats four or five people.
Examples of sports saloons / sedans:
- Audi RS4
- Audi S8
- BMW M5
- Dodge Charger SRT-8
- Ford Mondeo ST200
- Mercedes C55 AMG
- Opel Vectra OPC & Vauxhall Vectra GSi, now called Vauxhall Vectra VXR
[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 Mazda Miata/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 passengers (2+2). These are more expensive than sports cars but not expensive as supercars. Some grand tourers are hand-built.
Examples of grand tourers:
[edit] Supercar
Supercars are ultra-high performance cars, typically very expensive, luxurious and exceptionally fast. Supercars typically contain cutting-edge technology and are usually assembled by hand. They may also be halo cars, for either their own marque, or a related marque within a larger automotive group.
Examples of supercars:
- Bugatti Veyron
- Ferrari Enzo
- Lamborghini Gallardo
- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
- Porsche Carrera GT
- Aston Martin DBS V12
[edit] Muscle car
The Muscle car term was coined in United States. Classic muscle cars appeared in the mid-1960s and disappeared because of the 1973 energy crisis and the EPA's stringent air pollution regulations. Muscle cars became popular in Australia during the 1980s. These cars shoe-horned giant engines into mid-sized cars straight from the factory. Handling took a backseat to straight-line acceleration.
Examples of American muscle cars:
Examples of Australian muscle cars:
[edit] Convertible
A car that features a flexibly operating roof for open or enclosed mode driving. Also known as a cabriolet or roadster.
Examples of convertibles:
- Audi TT-R
- Honda S2000
- Lexus SC
- Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Porsche Boxster
- Toyota Camry Solara
- Volkswagen Eos
- Volvo C70
- Jaguar XK
[edit] Off-roaders
Off-road vehicles, or "off-roaders" are sometimes referred to as "four wheel drives", "four by fours", or 4x4s — this sometimes happens colloquially in cases where certain models or even an entire range does not possess four-wheel drive.
[edit] Sport utility vehicle
Sport utility vehicles are off-road vehicles with a body-on-frame chassis, four-wheel drive and true off-road capability. SUVs can be troublesome in accidents. A high center of gravity means SUVs rollover more easily than automobiles.[citation needed]
Examples of SUVs:
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Large Off-Roaders".
[edit] Crossover SUV
Crossover SUVs have a monocoque construction and lower ground clearance than SUVs. Some of them have traction control and adjustable suspension to improve off-road capabilities. They may be styled similar to conventional "off-roaders", or may be styled similar to an estate car or wagon.
Examples of crossover SUVs
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Small Off-Roaders".
[edit] Multi-purpose vehicles / Minivans
Also known as "people carriers", this class of cars resembles tall estate cars. Larger MPVs may have seating for up to eight passengers. (Beyond that size, similar vehicles tend to be derived from vans (see below) and in Europe are called minibuses.)
Being taller than 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 than hatchbacks or estate cars.
Examples of mini MPVs:
Examples of compact MPVs:
Both categories are equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "Small MPVs".
Examples of large MPVs / minivans:
- Chrysler Voyager
- Dodge Caravan
- Ford Galaxy
- Honda Odyssey
- Nissan Quest
- Toyota Sienna
- Volkswagen Sharan
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class "MPVs".
[edit] Van, camper, RV, minibus etc.
In some countries, the term "van" can refer to a small panel van based on a passenger car design (often the estate model / station wagon); it also refers to light trucks, which themselves are sometimes based on SUVs or MPVs. (But note that those retaining seats and windows, while being larger and more utilitarian than MPVs, may be called "minibuses".) The term is also used in the term "camper van" (or just "camper") — equivalent to a North American recreational vehicle (RV).
In the United States, the term "van" refers to vehicles that, like European minibuses, are even larger than large MPVs and are rarely seen being driven for domestic purposes — except for "conversion vans". These possess extremely large interior space 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 North American "vans":
Examples of European "vans":
[edit] See also
- ACRISS Car Classification Code
- Automobile
- Car safety and road safety
- Car body style
- List of recent automobile models by type
- Vehicle size class
- Truck classification
[edit] References
- ^ How are vehicle size classes defined? FuelEconomy.gov, part of the U.S. Department of Energy
- ^ CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999 Canada Gazette
- ^ VFACTS Motor Vehicle Classifications and Definitions Australian FCAI - Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
