I see a lot of people relating super only to performance, that is a emotionless expression of what I believe the term came from. There is something missing. If that's the case then lets call every little Donkvoort, Caterham or Radical a supercar.

I'm going to go against the grain here because I think that a supercar is super because it inspires people when they look at it and see it in person. The way it looks, even if not pretty, the way it sounds, and the respect you have for it because of what it can do and the awe you feel when you stand in front of it. Can you really put a F40, Enzo, CGT, McLaren F1 in the same sentence as a Z06, Turbo, Viper or GT-R and consider that the same category? I sure can't. The term supercar is a standard that is set by predecessors and must be matched or exceeded by those that follow.

Modern day safety and computer systems take the super out of many cars IMO. And there are lots of FAST cars, that doesn't make them super to me. Too much covering for driver error, the driver should have to earn the right to go fast with skill, not have it handed to them. If there was a real Superman and you stood right in front of him, you'd be in awe, but you'd respect him because he could crush you whenever he felt like it. Should be the same for a Supercar.

People are calling everything supercars these days, if that is the case, then how do you consider them super, I thought super was a term of differentiation? If not, then what is the require 0-60, 1/4 or top speed? Where are the other standards?

I give you these definitions of super:

- Excessive in degree or intensity
- Of the highest quality
- Extremely: to an extreme degree
- Including more than a specified category


I need to experience these things when I see the car, this is what differentiates Supercar from Exotic to me. However most times, the exotics are the ones that have these attributes because they can do all of the above when built for it.

The problem is that most exotics aren't holding up their end of the bargain for respect so the Supercar moniker is being diluted down to just about anything that can turn some quick numbers.

Just my opinion. My definition of Super has some emotion to it. It's far more than being soley based on a 0-60, 1/4 mile and a lap around a track.

 

and that is why there is a term called hypercar.
Yes, performance would be the top criteria. There are two terms that are used, well actually 3-4. The SLR, CGT, ENZO, Bugatti, etc are considered HYPERCARS and that is a term that is now used to differentiate from the SUPERCARS like the turbo, 430, etc.

Of course you mention the ZO6, which I brought up a while back in this thread. The ZO6 is not a muscle car. It can hold it's own with many of what you would call supercars and I would call hypercars. Sure at an average production of 7k cars per year it isn't a low volume supercar. It is a budget supercar at well under $100k but it is most definitely a supercar, and it is still expensive enough to put it out of the range of most people when new.

I have come to think that not only do the Europeans know how to drive better than Americans on average and have more common sense, but they also have a better impression of what a supercar is, and in their eyes, the ZO6 is a supercar. It has been written up as such.

 

By that logic, the mustang is a supercar too, so is an m3, whats next, an evo, civic, anything? And no all Europeans do not think the z06 is a supercar.

I dont care what a magazine says, they will say whatever it takes to sell magazines and make their comparison look legit.

Like I said, its my opinion, im not trying to force anyone to agree with it. If it were set in stone there wouldnt be a need for the question.

 

This is where I disagree.
That is why I have a hard time including even the Z06 in "supercar" status.

Granted, it's performance is right there, but IMO, most people don't see "supercar", they see "sportscar".

"Supercar" performance, but not a true "supercar".

If performance were the primary consideration, then one could include the C5 Z06, base C6, base Porsche 997, etc., whose performance numbers are better than many magazine-touted "supercars" of years ago, including some older high dollar Ferraris.

Cost has more to do with a car being an "exotic" which suggests only those select few with the financial means could purchase it, and the Z06 certainly does approach that level, though there are many "joe averages" that are driving newer Z06's.

0% financing is a wonderful thing!

I have to agree with heavychevy and Ari that the majority of people remotely interested in cars would consider cars like the CGT and F40, and the like, as "supercars", and "exotic".

Back to that gray area again!

 

I was pretty much told unanimously in the silver subscribed section of FerrariChat that a F430 and a 525 hp modded 996tt are not supercars, statements to which I disagree with. Both these cars do 0 to 60 in ~4 seconds or better and will hit or break ~200mph. I think performance is more of a measure of what is a supercar, and things like exclusivity, price, and also performance too, come into a car being exotic. After all, a Corvette could be considered exotic in Europe, but certainly not hear in the states. Despite this, I fully think the ZR1 is also a supercar. After all, all the popular mags refer to these cars as supercars, Nissan itself calls the GTR a supercar in thier advertising, and even Jermey Clarkson says the F430 is a supercar (and its clearly an exotic as well): http://www.streetfire.net/video/073-...upe_168565.htm (30 seconds in).

Keep in mind this banter at Fchat is not necessarily from Ferrari owners, as most of the silver subscribed members just drive average joe cars, and the silver level material is more of a general forum than a car forum anyway. However, most claimed only the F40 or Enzo are ferrari supercars, I guess ignoring hypercar level all together. Personally, I could give two ****s whether someone lables my 911 and the F430 as a supercar or just an exotic, they are cars I love irregardless, but I find it intersting how there is SO much confusion and no clear delineation on this subject. Not that I'm an arbitrator by any means though.

 

This thread started a whole conversation with my car-loving friends. Here's what we collectively decided:

1. Supercars must be performers. Pick your metric for performance (0-60,1/4, etc.). If you're looking at 0-60, you need to be sub 4.0. If you're looking at the 1/4, you need to be ~11.5 or better.

2. Supercars are expensive. They are not exotic expensive, but their price makes them exclusive to some degree. I think that in today's market that means $100k or more.

3. Supercars must turn heads and promote a feeling of awe. For lack of a better term, they also need to be "sexy".

All three criteria must be met. Notice that I didn't put a restriction on whether or not a certain model of a car can count or not (i.e. ZR1 or GT500). I don't think that it matters if the above criteria are met. Take your shot, pick a car and see what you think. An M3 or M5 wouldn't cut it. They are not expensive enough and really don't promote a feeling of awe. How about a GT500 or CTS-V? They don't make the cut either. A carrera GT on the other hand easily qualifies.

So the big question - is the 996TT/997TT a supercar? Well, a tuned car can make the performance numbers. They certainly cost more than $100k, making them exclusive enough. It's number three that is tough. My 996TT cab definitely turns heads. And I think most would agree that they are sexy cars. The only potential problem is that they look a little too much like NB 911s, which you see more frequently and don't give that awe feeling.

Like any subjective measure, you're going to have some that fall right on the line and could count either way. I think the 996TT/997TT is an example. Many might consider it a supercar. You can find printed examples. My own feeling is that it's a supercar - but just barely. Put it in a big group of cars- even Porsches- and people will gather around the turbo. I've seen this at a number of events. On the other hand, if a carrera GT pulls up, forget about it.

 

Doesn't the 997TT (w/PDK) go 0-60 in just around 3 secs, and run the 1/4 in low 11's?

 

The only thing Fchat is consistently good for is a laugh.

That place is filled with the most pompous blowhards on the planet. I can't even believe the thread titles in the general section over the recent years, all along the lines of how special are you, how bright is your aura when you step out of your fcar, do people now address you with your highness or your majesty?..................

There really are a good number of fcar owners that think owning a particular car brand makes them special. There are also some very knowledgeable folks there. Best sources on this subject are people with experience and knowledge that go back decades, not newbies with personality issues.

 

Anything I drive ...... just joking
Happy St Patty's Day
Robert

 

^This.

430, G, Murcie, GTR, ZR1, 2RS...etc are not supercars.

 

man, you guys are one big downer

Car and Driver called my car a suprcar Exotic, I am stickin to that. In fact I am going to copy the front page and stick it in my car so when someone asks, I can see, CandD said it is so.

 

Hypercars? What is next? Super Duper Cars? Nuclear Fantastic cars? Why the need for so many different classifications? Is it so that people with Z06's and such can say "I drive a Supercar?". What is supposed to be the difference between a Hypercar and a Supercar? If a Hypercar is what most of us think of as a Supercar why did someone "invent" the term Hypercar?

 

That's the spirit!

 

The bar is constantly getting raised. Let's look at what the Z06 and GT-R have accomplished...

They can perform at VERY high levels of performance. Would the base model Carrera be considered a supercar? No way. How 'bout a GT2? One of the fastest street cars ever (nevermind the GT2RS), supercar.

So there - I think you have it. I'd base it off of performance. It must be in the top 1-2% of cars on the market. If it is not, then I don't think it should be considered a supercar.

Exotic, I think we all agree doesn't necessarily need to perform well, but it helps (Aston Martin DBS).

 

I agree... Hey guys,Can we get back to the important threads,,,,Like what kind of watches we wear with our cars......lol...