Car classifications
Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. Not all car types are sold in all countries and names differ in some cases between British and American English. The following are commonly used classifications within the Wikipedia. Where applicable, the relevant EuroNCAP classifications are shown.
| United States | EuroNCAP | Euro size | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microcar | - | Microcar | Smart Fortwo |
| - | Supermini | A class | Fiat Panda |
| Subcompact | B class | Ford Fiesta | |
| Compact | Small family car | C class | Ford Focus |
| Mid-size | Large family car | D class | Volkswagen Passat |
| Full-size | E class | Chrysler 300 | |
| Luxury | Executive car | F class | Mercedes-Benz S-Class |
| Sports | - | Sports | Porsche 911 |
| Convertible | - | Cabriolet | BMW 3-Series |
| Roadster | Roadster | Roadster | BMW Z4 |
| - | Small MPV | MIni MPV | Opel Meriva |
| - | Compact MPV | Renault Scénic | |
| Minivan | MPV | Large MPV | Toyota Previa |
| Crossover SUV | Small Off-Roader | - | Honda CR-V |
| SUV | Large Off-Roader | - | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Microcar
Smart For Two
Straddling the boundary between car and motorbike, these vehicles have engines of only a few hundred ccs, typically seat only 2 people, and are generally unorthodox in construction. Many only have three wheels. They are especially associated with post-war Europe, where their appearance led them to called Bubble cars. A contrast to the traditional microcar is the modern Smart.
Examples of microcars
CLEVER
Copen
Fend Flitzer
Messerschmitt microcar
Isetta
Goggomobil
Heinkel microcar
Trojan (automobile)
Electric Sparrow
Hatchback
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use in urban areas. Unlike microcars, city car's greater speed and occupant protection allow relative safety in mixed traffic environments and in all weather conditions. While it may be capable of freeway speeds this is not the main purpose of the car.
In Japan, a specially restricted type of these (under 3.40m long) are called the keicar, where taxes and insurance are lower.
Examples of city cars
Daihatsu Mira
Fiat Cinquecento
Fiat Seicento
Smart Fortwo
Mazda Carol
Mitsubishi Minica
Peugeot 107
Renault Twingo
Suzuki Alto
Supermini / Subcompact car
Ford Fiesta
This class, known as superminis in Europe and subcompact cars in North America, covers the not-so-small hatchbacks and the smallest sedans. These vehicles are the smallest cars widely sold in the North American market. They have usually three, four or five doors and are designed to seat comfortably four adults and a child, but can take five adults. Current supermini hatchbacks are around 3.90m long and sedans 4.20m long.
In Europe, the first superminis were the Fiat 500 of 1957 and the Austin Mini of 1959. Today, superminis are some of the biggest selling cars in Europe.
Examples of superminis / subcompact cars
Austin Metro
Austin Mini
BMW MINI
Citroën AX
Dacia Logan
Fiat Punto
Fiat Palio
Fiat Uno
Ford Fiesta
Kia Rio
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Nissan Micra/March
Opel Corsa
Peugeot 205
Renault 5
Renault Clio
Rover Metro
Volkswagen Polo
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Superminis'.
Small family car / Compact car
Compact cars are usually referred to the longest hatchbacks or the smallest family cars. Nowadays they are about 4.25 metres long, have room for five adults and their engines are usually around 1.6 L to 2.0 L.
Examples of hatchback small family cars / subcompact cars
Citroën Xsara
Citroën ZX
Ford Escort
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Opel Astra
Peugeot 306
Peugeot 307
Renault Mégane
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.
Sedan/saloon and station wagon / estate
Family car
Longer than hatchbacks, they have room for five adults and a larger boot, depending on the size. The most popular layouts are sedan/saloon and station wagon / estate. This class makes up the largest percentage of vehicles in most developed countries.
Examples of sedan/estate small family cars / compact cars
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Opel Astra
Toyota Corolla
Volvo S40
Volkswagen Jetta
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.
Examples of large family cars / mid-size cars
Ford Taurus
Ford Mondeo
Honda Accord
Nissan Primera
Opel Vectra
Peugeot 406
Renault Laguna
Toyota Camry
Volkswagen Passat
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Family Cars'.
Executive car / Luxury car
2000 Lincoln Town Car
An executive car or luxury car are typically four-door sedan/saloon cars. They are usually very roomy, powerful and luxurious, which is highly estimated by most of the people. This is why they are much more expensive than "standard" sedans.
Examples of mid-size executive cars / mid-size luxury cars
Audi A6
BMW 5-Series
Infiniti Q45
Lexus GS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Jaguar S-Type
Volvo S80
Examples of large executive cars / full-size luxury cars
Audi A8
Bentley Arnage
BMW 7-Series
Cadillac DeVille
Jaguar XJ
Holden Commodore
Lexus LS
Lincoln Town Car
Maybach
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Rolls-Royce Phantom
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Executive Cars'.
Sportive cars
Hot hatch
VW Golf GTI Cabriolet
A hot hatch is a performance hatchback based on standard superminis or small family cars, with improved straight line performance, handling and styling. Hot hatches make up a large section of the market for hatchbacks.
Examples of hot hatches
Ford Focus RS
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Peugeot 205 GTI
Renault 5 Turbo
Renault Clio 182
SEAT León Cupra R
Vauxhall Astra VXR
VW Golf GTI
Sports saloon
Thess are high performance versions of saloon cars. Originally homologated for production based motorsports and like saloon cars, seats four people.
Examples of sports saloons
BMW M3
BMW M5
Lotus Cortina
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Subaru Impreza
Sports car
Honda NSX red
This small lightweight class combines performance and handling. Often inspired by racing vehicles. This class ranges from sporty vehicles such as the MX-5 to derivatives of true racing thoroughbreds such as the Lotus Elise.
Examples of sports cars
Jaguar E-type
Lotus Elise
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda S2000
Mazda Miata/MX-5
Toyota MR2
Grand tourer
Jaguar XK8
Larger, more powerful and heavier than sports cars, these vehicles typically have a FR layout and seating for four or 2+2. They are more expensive than sports cars but not than supercars, and often combine modern technology with hand-built construction.
Examples of grand tourers
Aston Martin DB9
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Jaguar XK8
BMW 6-Series
Supercar
Lamborghini Gallardo silver
They are ultra-high performance cars, typically very expensive, luxurious and exceptionally fast. Supercars typically contain cutting-edge technology, and can be assembled partly or completely by hand.
Examples of supercars
Aston Martin Vanquish
Dodge Viper
Ferrari Enzo
Ford GT
Lamborghini Murciélago
McLaren F1
Plymouth Superbird
Porsche 959
Muscle car
The Muscle car is a peculiarly American type of sports car, popular from the 1960s until a combination of spiralling insurance costs and the 1973 energy crisis largely killed off the category. A smaller offshoot, the pony car, still exists in the form of the Ford Mustang. The epitome of brute-force power, these cars shoe-horned giant engines into mid-sized cars (by the then US standard) which were often, from the factory, inadequate to handle the power and performance; handling was subordinate to straight-line acceleration.
Examples of muscle cars
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Chevelle
Dodge Charger
Holden Monaro
Mercury Cougar
Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Road Runner
Plymouth Superbird
Pontiac GTO
Cabriolet / convertible
Also called an open saloon, roadster or drop-head coupe, this type of car has a roof (fabric, vinyl, metal or glass) which can be folded away. Convertibles were very popular in hotter places before the advent of automotive air-conditioning. They remain popular in certain countries, paradoxically including the UK with its relatively wet climate. Many models are small sports cars with two seats, but there are also popular convertible versions of larger cars such as the Saab 9-3 and the BMW 3-Series.
Examples of cabriolets / convertibles
Mazda MX-5/Miata/Eunos Roadster
Fiat Barchetta
MGF
Toyota MR2
Saab 9-3
BMW 3-Series
4x4
Also know as off-roaders, there are two general trends among them: SUVs and crossover SUVs.
Military HMMWV
SUVs
Jeep Commander
SUVs are off-road vehicles with a truck chassis, all-wheel-drive and true offroad capability. SUVs have severe problems with crash incompatibility, and are typically of more primitive design than smaller cars. Combined with serious handling issues in some vehicles due to the high centre of gravity, this makes them a dangerous vehicle in inexperienced hands.
Examples of 4x4s / SUVs
Cadillac Escalade
Humvee
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
Land Rover Defender
Range Rover
Nissan Patrol
Suzuki Sidekick
Suzuki Samurai
Toyota Land Cruiser
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Off-Roaders'.
Crossover SUV
2004-2006 Chrysler Pacifica Touring
Crossover SUVs have a monocoque chassis and low ground clearance. Some of them use electronic systems like traction control and pneumatic/hydraulic suspension, which give them good capability in many offroad situations, particularly sand and graded roads.
Examples of crossover SUVs
BMW X5
Ford Escape
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Suzuki SX4
Toyota RAV4
Volvo XC90
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Off-Roaders'.
Minivan / MPV
Also known as people carriers, this class of cars resemble family cars but are taller with a shorter hood/bonnet and are designed for maximum practicality. The larger minivans may have seating for seven or eight people.
The increased height of these vehicles above 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 over their similar low-roof models.
Examples of mini MPVs
Fiat Idea
Hyundai Matrix
Opel Meriva
Peugeot 1007
Renault Modus
Citroën Xsara Picasso
Examples of compact MPVs
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Citroën Picasso
Ford Focus C-Max
Opel Zafira - also Chevrolet, Holden, Subaru or Vauxhall
Renault Scénic
Volkswagen Touran
Both categories are equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small MPVs'.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Examples of large MPVs / minivans
Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Minivans such as Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country
Ford Galaxy
Hyundai Trajet
KIA Sedona
Mitsubishi Space Wagon
Peugeot 807
Renault Espace
Toyota Previa
Pontiac Montana
This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'MPVs'.
Link
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
Car manufacturers by country
This section tries to show every car ever made by country and then manufacturer.
A-B Countries - Car Manufacturers
Argentina
- Andino
Armenia
- ErAZ
Australia
- Alpha Sports
Amuza
Australian Kitcar
Bavariacars
Birchfield
Bolwell
Nagari
Bomac
Bullet
Carbontech
Chrysler Australia
Valiant
Valiant Charger
Classic Glass
Classic Revival
Cobra Craft
Daktari
Daytona (car)
Deuce Customs
Devaux
DRB Sports Cars
Elfin Cars
Evans
Finch
Ford Australia
Ford Fairlane (Australian)
Ford Falcon
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV)
G-Force
Hartnett
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV)
Holden
Holden Adventra
Holden Apollo
Holden Astra
Holden Barina
Holden Belmont
Holden Brougham
Holden Camira
Holden Commodore
Holden GTS 300
Holden Gemini
Holden Kingswood
Holden Monaro
Holden Nova
Holden Premier
Holden Sandman
Holden Statesman
Holden Suburban
Holden Sunbird
Holden Torana
Homebush
Kraftwerkz
Lightburn
Zeta
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited
Mitsubishi 380
Mitsubishi Magna
NASENBAER Sports
Nota
Piper
PRB
Python
RCM
RMC
Roaring Forties
Robnell
Sharpbuilt
West Coast Motors
White Pointer
Austria
- Achleitner
Austro-Daimler
Grofri
Magna Steyr
ÖAF
Puch
Steyr
Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Tomaszo
Belarus
- BelAZ
GomSelMash
Lidagroprommash
MAZ
MTZ
MZKT
Belgium
- ABC (B)
Apal (before 1995, now Germany)
Edran
FN
Germain
Gillet
L&B
Métallurgique
Miesse
Minerva
Nagant
Springuel (1907-1914)
Vivinus
Brazil
- Bugre
Chamonix
Dardo
FNM
Gurgel
Hofstetter
JPX
Puma
Sta. Matilde
Troller
Bulgaria
- Bulgar Renault
Chavdar
Hatchback
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Toyota-Camry-Hatchback.jpg | 75.86 KB |
1986 Toyota Camry hatchback
A hatchback is an automobile design, consisting of a passenger cabin which includes an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind by a hatch or flip-up window. Hatchbacks are also often called three-doors (two entry doors and the hatch) or five-doors (four entry doors and the hatch) cars. Small cars often incorporate a hatchback to make the best use of available space. Especially in smaller models, hatchbacks are often truncated, with the hatch nearly vertical, to reduce the car's footprint. This is an important consideration in countries where small streets and traffic congestion are factors. Hatchbacks frequently include fold-down rear seats, which enable a substantial portion of the interior space to be used as a cargo area to accommodate with the current transportation needs. Usually, the rear seat can be folded partially (for instance 1/2, 1/3 or 2/3) or completely to expand the cargo space.
Technically speaking, SUVs, station wagons and minivans can also be classified as hatchbacks. However, the term hatchback, especially in the U.S., is typically used in reference to small cars, with a smaller trunk than other vehicles. There are larger hatchbacks (i.e. Rover SD1), which have fastback rear windows.
Hatchbacks typically have a parcel shelf: a rigid shelf covering the cargo space that is hinged behind the rear seats and lifts with the hatch. An alternative is a flexible roll-up tonneau cover.
High performance variants of typical family hatchbacks are now common, known as "hot hatches".
History
The credit for the first hatchback is claimed by several manufacturers. Holden of Australia fitted what could be described as hatchbacks onto its cars in the late 1940s. The 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 featured a top-hinged rear hatch. Its successor, the 1958 DB Mark III, even offered a folding rear seat. However, since less than 700 DB2/4 and Mark III hatches were built, the Aston Martin is not universally considered the first mass-produced hatchback car. The 1954 AC Aceca and later Aceca-Bristol from AC Cars had a similar hatch at the back, though just 320 were built.
The first car which could genuinely be called a hatchback and produced in masses was the Renault 4 of 1961. This is controversial however, and some argue that the Austin A40 which predated the Renault 4 by three years was the first. However, that car had a split tailgate quite unlike what is generally accepted to be a hatchback. The Renault 4 also came with a folding rear seat. Another car often credited with being the first hatchback is the Renault 16, which was voted European Car of the Year on its launch in the autumn of 1965. The first Italian hatchback was the Fiat 127, which went into production during 1971. The first German hatchback was the Volkswagen Passat (Dasher in North America) of 1973.
By the early 1980s, most family cars produced in Europe were hatchbacks. Hatchbacks quickly became regular winners of the European Car of the Year award. However in some countries, especially with larger cars where a sedan and (usually liftback-type) hatchback is available for the same model, the sedans are often preferred. Same is true also in certain regions like Southern and Eastern Europe, where some manufacturers have been forced to offer a local sedan version of smaller cars that are sold only as hatchbacks elsewhere to comply with the preferences of local clients.
US backlash
Despite, or perhaps because of, the hatchback design's space efficiency, relatively few cars with this layout are available in the United States. Some Americans view the hatchback design elements as an "econobox" and consider this negatively in purchase decisions. Others view hatchbacks as representing support for "green" movements which some consider "un-American", although the recent commercial success of hybrid models belies this. Interestingly enough, many of the minivans and SUVs which are quite popular in the United States have hatchback design elements and car companies frequently market hatchback cars with euphemisms such as "Liftback", "Sportback", or "Sportwagon".
Similar body styles
Many sports and mid-sized cars are also designed using a variation of hatchback design, sometimes called a 'liftback. Here, the hatchback is angled down over the rear seats, and smoothly integrated into the tail of the car, resembling a fastback or sedan overall. This often improves aerodynamic performance, resulting in a reduced drag coefficient. Some of these cars are the Opel Vectra, the Ford Mondeo and the Renault Laguna.
Saab often used the term combi coupé (or 'Wagonback' in the US) for their take on the concept. Even some typical-looking sedans (saloons) have hatchbacks, such as the Mazda6, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra and the Saab 9000.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.