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What makes a sports car?

What makes a sports car?

BenCee

1,915 views

How do you feel when you see VW rims on Skoda?  

23 members have voted

  1. 1.

    • Indifferent ...
      9
    • Owner of the Skoda couldn't find Skoda rims
      5
    • Owner tries to disguise the Skoda as a VW
      9

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A lot of people still equate the term sports car to one that offers fire-breathing, neck-breaking performance. One that is measured in 0-100km/h sprint times and top speeds.

 

But is that always so?

 

Take the car pictured above, for example. The Kia Forte Koup. I know that it is a controversial topic, but many still deride the Koup for its lack of outright grunt.

 

That is despite its other positive qualities, like its sweet handling and smashing good looks.

 

So what if it doesn't go to 100km/h in a blink of an eye? Performance shouldn't be the be-all-and-end-all for a so-called sports car.

 

The Rolls-Royce Phantom can hit 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds. I wouldn't call it a sports car.

 

Similarly, the Mazda MX-5 doesn't exactly have a powerful engine, but its driving and handling set-up can easily put many other faster cars to shame in the corners.

 

'Sports' is so much more than outright performance. It also has to have balance, involvement, engaging the driver such that he feels joy when driving. Because that's what driving is all about; the experience.

 

I guess this perspective of 'faster is better' mirrors a lot of Singapore society. Many people only see the end, the destination, and want to reach there quickly, for whatever reason.

 

Sometimes, it's the journey itself that really counts, and gives you the most pleasure.

 

Some things are better when enjoyed slowly, at your own pace.




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I think Koup is more a lifestyle car then a sport. Even KIA itself dun call Koup a sport car, only 2 doors. Even CTR, Honda dun call it a sport but performance car. It is easier to go lifestyle or performance. Cos "sport" had a lot images to different people. Like SG gov call all 2drs & 3drs cars as sport car but UK gov dun.

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Mecontle, the test track only has FN2R, not FD2R. FN2R: Civic Type R Euro. FD2R: Civic Type R Japan. FD2R is actually very rare in UK and needs to be specially imported to UK. These 2 Civic Type Rs are miles apart in terms of performance so it's not proven that Lotus Elise is faster on track than a FD2R in the data you shared. Personally, Kia Koup looks great and drives well, faster then some bread and butter cars too. To me it qualifies as a sporty car.

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'Looks' is very subjective la. Some may argue that Koup look betters than Scirocco depending on whether you like rounded or edgy design

 

in SG, no need to talk about hp la. fast car, slow car, drive in SG all become turtle

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I prefer to call KIA Koup a sporty car rather then sports car which it is really not. It looks only sporty as now. As for cars with 2 doors such as Koup are actually not call sports but coupe would be a better term.

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