What Are Sports Cars?
A Sports Car Is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in early 1902 and are currently produced by many worldwide manufacturers.
Definitions of sports cars often relate to how the car design is optimized for dynamic performance, without any specific minimum requirements; both a Triumph Spitfire and Ferrari 488 Pista can be considered sports cars, despite vastly different levels of performance. Broader definitions of sports cars include cars “in which performance takes precedence over carrying capacity”, or that emphasize the “thrill of driving” or are marketed “using the excitement of speed and the glamour of the (race)track. However, other people have more specific definitions, such as “must be a two-seater or a 2+2 seater” or a car with two seats only.
Cheap Sports Cars In South Africa?
Sports and luxury vehicles remain one of the most popular purchases for High Networth Individuals (HNWIs) in South Africa.
However, the country’s ultra-rich are still buying sports cars according to the report, with Porsche the most popular brand when it comes to revenue earned in South Africa, followed by Ferrari and Bentley.
With the cheapest Porsche coming in at just under R900,000 (R870,000 for the Porsche 718 Cayman) it is clear that many of these high-end vehicles are exclusive to the super-rich; there are still a number of options for South Africans who don’t have several million rand to drop on a high-end sports car.
Mazda MX-5 2.0 RF auto from R538,200
- Engine: 2.0 turbo
- Torque (maximum): 200 Nm
- Maximum Power: 118 kW
- Top speed: 194 km/h
Audi TT coupe 1.8TFSI from R595,000
- Engine: 1.8 turbo
- Torque (maximum): 250 Nm
- Maximum Power: 132 kW
- Top speed: 241 km/h
Honda Civic Type R from R635,500
- Engine: 2.0 turbo
- Torque (maximum): 400 Nm
- Maximum Power: 228kW
- Top speed: 272 km/h
Toyota GT86 from R568,900
- Engine: 2.0
- Torque (maximum): 205 Nm
- Maximum Power: 147 kW
- Top speed: 226 km/h
Abarth 124 Spider Turismo from R655,900
- Engine: 1.4 turbo
- Torque (maximum): 240 Nm
- Maximum Power: 125 kW
- Top speed: 232 km/h
Nissan 370Z from R676,900
- Engine: 3.7 litre
- Torque (maximum): 363 Nm
- Maximum Power: 245 kW
- Top speed: 250 km/h
Ford Mustang 2.3T fastback from R728,500
- Engine: 2.3-litre turbo
- Torque (maximum): 430 Nm
- Maximum Power: 233 – 306 kW
- Top speed: 239 km/h
How Do You Describe A Sports Car?
They will generally have a fixed roof or a convertible folding roof design. They’re powerful, too. While not all sports cars are super fast, they usually need to offer a mix of speed, fun, and noise to qualify as a sports car and they’re generally packing much more power than your average saloon or hatchback.
What’s The Difference Between A Sports Car And A Regular Car?
While regular cars cater to four or more passengers and ensure their safety, sports cars focus on aesthetic value as well as performance. Sports cars are designed to improve performance. They are typically aerodynamic to achieve high speeds and are therefore lower than regular cars.
What Are The Special Features Of Sports Cars?
A sports car’s main emphasis is on performance by superior road holding, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and power rather than comfort, passenger space, and economy. Sports cars can be luxurious or spartan, but driving performance is key.