What defines a true Supercar? | FerrariChat

What defines a true Supercar?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by millemiglia, Jun 8, 2004.

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  1. millemiglia

    millemiglia Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2003
    925
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Peter B.
    I think the word supercar is sometimes wrongly used, so I thought I might ask you what you think defines a Supercar.
    Is high performance enough? Do you have to have a racing heritage like Ferrari? Is exclusivity a factor?
    Personally I think, for a car to qualify as a supercar, it should have very good performance figures and be built in faily low numbers.
    Enzo? YES
    Zonda? YES
    Carrera GT? YES
    Ford GT? NO, not with a planned production of 1500 per year!

    Well, what do you think?

    // Peter
     
  2. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    6,124
    USA
    low production
    best performance on the road
    impracticality

    seriously, if you can drive it to the supermarket, it's not a supercar. That's why in my opinion, the SLR isn't one. I know it sounds funny, but I think it's a fast GT. And, consider the Carrera GT in light of what you say about the Ford GT - they are making almost 1500 Carrera GTs too!
    But, I think it comes down to having some sort of set number limit, and being pretty outrageous. Outrageous = supercar.
     
  3. millemiglia

    millemiglia Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2003
    925
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Peter B.
    OK, being a Porsche guy as well as a Ferrari guy, I'm a bit biased...
    But in the case of the Carrera GT it's the planned total as opposed to Ford's 1500 per year!
    How about the street version of the Porsche GT1, limited to 25...
    // Peter
     
  4. 6.0 se

    6.0 se F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 26, 2004
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    I agree on most.Exclusitivity,performance,low production,exotic looks.For current cars,I would say the following:

    enzo
    zonda
    cgt
    slr
    murci
     
  5. Skelter

    Skelter Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    48
    Well, you could drive the McLaren F1 to the supermarket and have room to put your groceries in there...
     
  6. Z0RR0

    Z0RR0 F1 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2004
    3,470
    Montreal, Canada
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    Julien
    I guess it depends on each one of us.
    Personally, I refuse to see the SLR in the supercar category, because of its auto and GT definition.
    I also like to add a street-legal race car section. It does include absurdly impratical cars such as GT1, Panoz LMP, CLK-GTR/CLR, Saleen S7, Mosler ... etc etc.
    A supercar to me has to be mid-engine. It must be sophisticated, and provide improvement on the engineering aspect. In this aspect, the Ford GT lacks ... so does the Gallardo (but not the Murcie, that was the first big production useable super sport car).
     
  7. BrianTheYank

    BrianTheYank Karting

    May 24, 2004
    158
    maryland
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    Brian
    There is only one supercar - Mclaren F1
     
  8. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Feb 26, 2002
    2,108
    Georgia
    #8 Bill Sawyer, Jun 8, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A Supercar should have exotic engineering, unusual looks, have low production numbers and draw attention wherever it goes. Based on that definition here is my vote for the number one Supercar of all time. (The point being that there is an exception to every rule).
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  9. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    6,124
    USA
    Oh, I agree with you completely. The Carrera GT is without a doubt a supercar. So, it's not all about low production. It's about the car being INSANE :D
     
  10. 6.0 se

    6.0 se F1 Rookie
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    Certainly it would be on THE list.I was going by Supercars being produced today though.Previous supercars would have to include F40,F50,Diablo,959.Im sure Im missing some.
     
  11. UroTrash

    UroTrash Three Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
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    Clifford Gunboat
    I don't see how production numbers would effect this.
     
  12. Vibrant_5oh

    Vibrant_5oh Karting

    Apr 18, 2004
    196
    Minneapolis, MN
    Sure, 1,500 per year may sound a lot, but you're overlooking the fact that it is only a 2 year deal. Whether you spread those 3,000 or so cars over 10 years (300 cars per year), or 2 years (1,500 cars/year)...what real difference would that make? A run of 3,000 cars is 3,000 cars either way, right? Still quite rare.

    Besides, why worry about GT production numbers being too much since you live in Europe? :D. All of Europe will only be getting a total of 100 GT's.
     
  13. BrianTheYank

    BrianTheYank Karting

    May 24, 2004
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    Brian
    I was actually discussing this topic with a mate of mine the other day. It sort of came to conclude that the cars of the 80's and 90's as u stated above are the real supercars, and all those new things now a days are just super exotica. It was like an age of supercars, and now its over.
     
  14. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
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    Why would low numbers be a factor? If it's the fastest in the world with the best handling, but 15,000 are made per year, why would it be banned from a game it would win. I would like all of the supercars to be rare, but if Ford can win races with the GT, then let them into your club. Would a brand name play a part too?
     
  15. isellpower

    isellpower Formula Junior

    Nov 30, 2003
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    Midwest
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    Jason
    What about the Countach? One of the originals. Super in it's day and I think it is still the best looking (euro bumpers) of them all. I'm just afraid of their maintenance costs.
     
  16. 6.0 se

    6.0 se F1 Rookie
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    Yes,the Countach would have to be there.It was the Icon of the 80's,like it or not.190mph car,when hardly any could turn 150.Exotic looks,NO DOUBT.Exclusitivity?Oh yeah.With 400 total QV's made in 4 years,yes.Still looks exotic today,I feel.Over the edge,no question.In your face,without a doubt.
     
  17. Forza1

    Forza1 Formula Junior

    Mar 20, 2004
    490
    California
    I think, first off, that having the label "supercar" automatically crosses off all "production cars". However, if you were to include production cars, I think an '04 Corvette z06 would be the closest one to a "supercar". Go test drive one and see what I mean.

    Secondly, I believe it must have exotic stylings(wide, low, long, eccentric, whatever...). It must stand out in a crowd of normal cars.

    Thirdly, It must be very powerful, not only in straight-line acceleration, but also through turning/handling/braking. Anyone can build a car for $10k to run 10's in the quarter mile.

    Lastly, It must have a certain heritage or quality. Using the example from above, building a big block Chevy Nova to run 10's is fine, but it's still an Chevy Nova at the end of the day... Quality components are a big factor in my opinion.



    -DC
     
  18. 6.0 se

    6.0 se F1 Rookie
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    A Z06 has mediocre performance,when compared to the weakest Supercar.How can you even compare that to ,say a Viper,with much more power,and 1/10th the production?And yes,I do own a Z06,so I have time behind the wheel.A supercar has to be a car that is available to be purchased,hence a production car.Im not sure what your definition of production car is,but Supercars are production cars.
     
  19. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
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    The Zonda is brand new, so is the company, does it qualify? I'm not being a harda$$ I'm just getting it clear.
     
  20. 6.0 se

    6.0 se F1 Rookie
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    LOL.I dont think anyone knows.Its just fun to talk about.I would put the Zonda there,because of performance,exotic look,and exclusitivity.
     
  21. matterhorn762

    matterhorn762 Formula Junior

    Apr 19, 2004
    340
    Tennessee
    #21 matterhorn762, Jun 9, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    How about the Koenigsegg? You don't hear much about it, but it outperforms just about everything out there. At 806HP, the CCR is supposed to be the fastest "production" car ever made.
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  22. netviper

    netviper Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
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    Saint Augustine
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    Dave
    I dont know about the fastest car ever made, but it sure has the coolest doors of any car ever made! :)
     
  23. millemiglia

    millemiglia Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2003
    925
    Stockholm, Sweden
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    Peter B.
    Thanks for the clarification, I didn't know production numbers was limited for the Ford GT.
    Still not on my list.
    // Peter
     
  24. millemiglia

    millemiglia Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2003
    925
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Peter B.
    On the contrary, I think this is a new era of Supercars!
    We got the Pagani Zonda, Ferrari Enzo, Carrera GT, Bugatti Veyron (if it ever sees production), Koenigsegg CCR, Saleen S7...

    // Peter
     
  25. millemiglia

    millemiglia Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2003
    925
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Peter B.
    #25 millemiglia, Jun 10, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yeah, GO Swedes GO!
    Take a look at these pics and the stats...

    Performance of the CCR

    Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0–62 mph) 3.2 seconds
    Top speed: 395+ km/h (242+ mph)
    Standing quartermile: 9 seconds, end speed 235 km/h (146 mph)
    Braking distance: 31 m (100–0 km/h)
    Lateral g-force: 1.3 g
    Fuel consumption: Highway travel: 13 l/100 km

    // Peter
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