Supercar what is it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
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From: Redondo Beach, California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Personally, I think a C6 with cam, gears, and bolt ons qualifies performance wise. It just doesn't cost enough for the supercar elite. Maybe if it had another "0" on the price tag. Glad it doesn't. I don't need the supercar tag to enjoy the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Anything with performance aspirations and an astronomical price tag.
A Mitsubishi Evolution 8 with race tires, coilovers, cams and a big turbo will beat any Ferrari/Lamborghini/Etc at the drag strip, slalon, race track, etc, and will do that for around 40K, but it will never be a supercar. Just like a Corvette won't be: they are too common.
Neither is a $200,000 Brabus Mercedes making 700HP: too heavy/too soft...
Its got to be "exotic" I guess.
A Mitsubishi Evolution 8 with race tires, coilovers, cams and a big turbo will beat any Ferrari/Lamborghini/Etc at the drag strip, slalon, race track, etc, and will do that for around 40K, but it will never be a supercar. Just like a Corvette won't be: they are too common.
Neither is a $200,000 Brabus Mercedes making 700HP: too heavy/too soft...
Its got to be "exotic" I guess.
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CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't know that I can give you the definitive definition but a "supercar" is not determined by horsepower alone. IMO a supercar is typically thought of as a high end sports car with beautiful styling and an emphasis on high performance...possessing the balanced attributes of superior acceleration, speed, handling, braking with often luxurious interiors and amenities. Many supercars represent the pinnacle of technical achievement by their makers and most are very expensive.
The definition is open to interpretation. I recall one program 'debating' whether the Z06 could rightly be considered as a "supercar." Purists may argue a car must meet all the criteria including an exorbitant price to be classified as a supercar. IMO the Z06 qualifies on enough levels to be considered a true production supercar.
The definition is open to interpretation. I recall one program 'debating' whether the Z06 could rightly be considered as a "supercar." Purists may argue a car must meet all the criteria including an exorbitant price to be classified as a supercar. IMO the Z06 qualifies on enough levels to be considered a true production supercar.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
A supercar to me is a car that has performance all around, straight line, track, road course, stopping etc etc. Many of my buddies have taken a mustang GT and cranked the hp up over 600 and can do 10's in in a straight line but they can't turn or stop for sh*t.
Super Car = All around performance
Super Car = All around performance
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Read an article somewhere that said one supercar qualifier was for it to have a top speed of at least 300 KPH, which works out to 186 MPH. Which is the advertised top speed of the C6. Its not a coincidence.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Florida
I have a LS1 GTO that could easily break 200 given an top end track. but from the factory it couldn't do that..
To me. the definition of a supercar, is a car designed with the highest quality, lowest weight components. IE; Carbon Fiber panels and whatnot.
also utilizing an incredible suspension with ample amounts of power... all from the factory. There also needs to be a degree of styling involved.
Salleen S7 = Supercar
Honda Del Sol = Fail
Corvette Z06/ZR1 = Supercar
Corvette Convertable = Sportscar
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,221
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From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
I have a few older issues of Car & Driver, and Road & Track, in which there were numerous "supercar" tests.
One of the criteria was to see if these cars could top 200mph, which was usually accomplished by only one or maybe two of the many tested.
Still, these exclusive, pricey(at the time), generally imported cars were still considered Supercars.
These days, 200mph is not so much of a stretch, so I think it still has to do with overall performance, and price, which in itself, contributes to exclusivity.
One of the criteria was to see if these cars could top 200mph, which was usually accomplished by only one or maybe two of the many tested.
Still, these exclusive, pricey(at the time), generally imported cars were still considered Supercars.
These days, 200mph is not so much of a stretch, so I think it still has to do with overall performance, and price, which in itself, contributes to exclusivity.