Supercar what is it?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
It's open to debate. The term is used often. The C6 certainly qualifies. Per Wikipedia:
Supercar is a term used for a high-end sports car, typically an exotic or rare one, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries. The proper application of the term is subjective and disputed, especially among enthusiasts. The use of the term is dependent on the era: a vehicle that is considered to be a supercar at one time may not retain its superiority in the future. The automotive press frequently calls new exotic cars "supercars".
Supercar is a term used for a high-end sports car, typically an exotic or rare one, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries. The proper application of the term is subjective and disputed, especially among enthusiasts. The use of the term is dependent on the era: a vehicle that is considered to be a supercar at one time may not retain its superiority in the future. The automotive press frequently calls new exotic cars "supercars".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I came to understand...I am sure I'll be corrected...that the rule of thumb was horsepower greater than the cubic inches...considering the bang for the buck rule...the 'vette is a nice representation of these rules...of course there are other rules...that could be considered when ruling on these rules...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
LOL! My 2L, 400HP subaru displaced 122 cu in, so I guess it would be a super, super car at 3.2HP per cubic inches
At 260HP per 122cu in, the new Chevy Cobalt is also a supercar by that definition. As is every vehicle now made by Honda (including the Odyssey minivan), Acura, Nissan, etc...
At 260HP per 122cu in, the new Chevy Cobalt is also a supercar by that definition. As is every vehicle now made by Honda (including the Odyssey minivan
), Acura, Nissan, etc...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Ok, and? 
This all basically comes down to personal preference and opinion and I'm really hoping that continental/European fine wine and cheese sniffing attitude that often finds it's way into these discussions doesn't start to rear it's ugly head.
Things to remember:
You can't buy class.
One man's treasure is another man's trash.
A Cobalt SS is actually more rare than a Porsche Turbo....in the Hamptons and Beverly Hills.
After the first time that a guy in a Murcielago pulls up to a nice restaurant and sees another Murcielago already parked there, the term exclusive supercar takes on a slightly new meaning.
Drug dealers, pimps and murderers drive expensive/exotic cars too.
Any factory stock car that can run a low 12 second/high 11 second 1/4 mile at nearly 120mph, go 190mph+ top speed and corner/stop with some of the finest performance/sports cars IN THE WORLD is in fact a true supercar.
I won't even get into the Z06 and ZR1.
This all basically comes down to personal preference and opinion and I'm really hoping that continental/European fine wine and cheese sniffing attitude that often finds it's way into these discussions doesn't start to rear it's ugly head.
Things to remember:
You can't buy class.
One man's treasure is another man's trash.
A Cobalt SS is actually more rare than a Porsche Turbo....in the Hamptons and Beverly Hills.
After the first time that a guy in a Murcielago pulls up to a nice restaurant and sees another Murcielago already parked there, the term exclusive supercar takes on a slightly new meaning.
Drug dealers, pimps and murderers drive expensive/exotic cars too.
Any factory stock car that can run a low 12 second/high 11 second 1/4 mile at nearly 120mph, go 190mph+ top speed and corner/stop with some of the finest performance/sports cars IN THE WORLD is in fact a true supercar.
I won't even get into the Z06 and ZR1.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
The definition of a supercar has evolved. These days, horsepower and handling are a lot more accessible than 10 or 20 years ago.
The bar has been raised.
Today, a supercar is not merely about horsepower. It is also:
- rare or low-volume production
- characterized by exotica (design, materials, zero-compromise engineering)
- obsessive in personality
- priced more on exclusivity than on value for money
- an experience that you must meet on its terms (and not the other way around)
The contemporary supercar can be somewhat restrained like a Ferrari 599 GTB or flamboyant like a Saleen in race livery or a lime-green Lambo. And, since the appearance of the Countach, the buyer is no longer defined by social class. A supercar can be tasteful; it can be vulgar.
In contrast to these supercars, the Corvette has been a half-century success story in the democratization of performance (something that American brands from Starbucks to Apple to Sutter Home lead the world in, incidentally). However, this, by its very definition, precludes supercar status.
To some extent, we can say that the ZR1 is a populist supercar, but this becomes an oxymoron that confuses rather than clarifies. The purist would say No.
Just my 0.02.
The bar has been raised.
Today, a supercar is not merely about horsepower. It is also:
- rare or low-volume production
- characterized by exotica (design, materials, zero-compromise engineering)
- obsessive in personality
- priced more on exclusivity than on value for money
- an experience that you must meet on its terms (and not the other way around)
The contemporary supercar can be somewhat restrained like a Ferrari 599 GTB or flamboyant like a Saleen in race livery or a lime-green Lambo. And, since the appearance of the Countach, the buyer is no longer defined by social class. A supercar can be tasteful; it can be vulgar.
In contrast to these supercars, the Corvette has been a half-century success story in the democratization of performance (something that American brands from Starbucks to Apple to Sutter Home lead the world in, incidentally). However, this, by its very definition, precludes supercar status.
To some extent, we can say that the ZR1 is a populist supercar, but this becomes an oxymoron that confuses rather than clarifies. The purist would say No.
Just my 0.02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
The definition of a supercar has evolved. These days, horsepower and handling are a lot more accessible than 10 or 20 years ago.
The bar has been raised.
Today, a supercar is not merely about horsepower. It is also:
- rare or low-volume production
- characterized by exotica (design, materials, zero-compromise engineering)
- obsessive in personality
- priced more on exclusivity than on value for money
- an experience that you must meet on its terms (and not the other way around)
The contemporary supercar can be somewhat restrained like a Ferrari 599 GTB or flamboyant like a Saleen in race livery or a lime-green Lambo. And, since the appearance of the Countach, the buyer is no longer defined by social class. A supercar can be tasteful; it can be vulgar.
In contrast to these supercars, the Corvette has been a half-century success story in the democratization of performance (something that American brands from Starbucks to Apple to Sutter Home lead the world in, incidentally). However, this, by its very definition, precludes supercar status.
To some extent, we can say that the ZR1 is a populist supercar, but this becomes an oxymoron that confuses rather than clarifies. The purist would say No.
Just my 0.02.
The bar has been raised.
Today, a supercar is not merely about horsepower. It is also:
- rare or low-volume production
- characterized by exotica (design, materials, zero-compromise engineering)
- obsessive in personality
- priced more on exclusivity than on value for money
- an experience that you must meet on its terms (and not the other way around)
The contemporary supercar can be somewhat restrained like a Ferrari 599 GTB or flamboyant like a Saleen in race livery or a lime-green Lambo. And, since the appearance of the Countach, the buyer is no longer defined by social class. A supercar can be tasteful; it can be vulgar.
In contrast to these supercars, the Corvette has been a half-century success story in the democratization of performance (something that American brands from Starbucks to Apple to Sutter Home lead the world in, incidentally). However, this, by its very definition, precludes supercar status.
To some extent, we can say that the ZR1 is a populist supercar, but this becomes an oxymoron that confuses rather than clarifies. The purist would say No.
Just my 0.02.
I think I'd consider the ZR1 a supercar, but C6s and Z06s are no more of a supercar than a Porshe Turbo is. Fast? Sure. Nice? Absolutely. "Supercar"? I may as well call the computer I am typing this message from a supercomputer then
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ