They say cars are often an extension of our soul, an insight into who we are, what we love, what makes us tick, and all that. While some people are absolutely fine travelling in everyday cars, others yearn for something more: when they start it up, they want to sit there for a while and soak in the experience, enjoying the hum of the engine and the rumble of the exhaust as they rev it up, savouring the smell of burning hi-octane fuel – and everything else that’s far removed from the ‘everyday driver’ experience!
Supercars have a way of playing with our emotions, just as they ought to! From the way they look to the way they sound to how they stick to the road around corners or relentlessly push you into the seat as they accelerate ferociously through the gears.
But have you ever wondered what makes a supercar truly “super”?
Putting the “super” in car – How supercars stand out from ordinary cars
Ah, yes – the thrill of the open road and a few hundred ponies under your command – all it takes is a downshift or two as you ‘feather’ the throttle with an immensely satisfying engine noise coming to life, sending you into the twilight zone.
The sheer thrill and exhilaration of driving a supercar is something few people experience in their lifetime. However, not everyone experiences these kicks and thrills the same way because for some, a supercar is merely a status symbol or luxury item.
No matter how you look at it, supercars are icons of class, luxury, speed, performance, and unparalleled engineering. However, some might argue that you could save a few thousand quids by just taking your ordinary everyday car, putting a few performance parts in it, and calling it your own “supercar”.
Well, it’s not that simple, as we’re about to find out how supercars stand out from ordinary, everyday cars, including even sports cars:
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Engine, exhaust, and sound: The core of what makes a supercar truly ‘super’
Let’s start with the engine and exhaust system, shall we?
While your ordinary street car may have anywhere between 150-200 horsepower (HP), which is considered ‘respectable’ performance for everyday driving – a supercar will typically be in the 500 to 800 HP range! What’s more, they are lighter and more aerodynamic, so the power-weight ratio is something no ordinary car can match.
Supercar engines and exhaust systems are built with precision and responsiveness in mind. Whether the engine is naturally aspirated or comes with a supercharger/turbo system, they are designed to provide maximum response and output to the driver.
Some supercars can achieve a lot of torque and power through just a 2.5-3 litre engine while other manufacturers fit their models with a whopping 6+ litre engine to achieve similar power output and torque. Then there’s the exhaust sound which is sonically tuned to raise your hairs on end.
Performance, handling, suspension, and aerodynamics: Driving at the speed of wind and beyond
Another major attribute that makes a supercar truly “super” are the advanced suspension systems and specialised tyres that they come with.
Regular cars and even many sports cars as well as luxury cars are primarily built for comfort. Supercars, however, have firm and robust suspension systems (many of which can be adjusted to your preference on the fly), allowing the car’s chassis to be nimble and responsive, both around turns and while braking/accelerating.
Combined with the right tyres, some say that supercars can corner almost as if they are on rails! This shouldn’t come as a surprise, because with all that power at your fingertips (and toes!), you need a suspension and braking system that can help you quickly gain and break speed, whether you’re lining yourself up for a corner or looking to zoom off unapologetically from a standstill.
Combined with an advanced suspension system, brakes, and tyres available for both the open road and racetrack, supercars are styled and designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. There’s a good reason supercars look the way they look: the faster you go, the more aero-efficient they become, tearing through the air like an arrow. Many supercars come with movable parts to help provide additional grip and downforce as you gain speed. Yep, that’s not something you’ll likely see on ordinary cars!
Interior design: Performance first, comfort later
Although you’ll see many supercars focus on comfort and luxury as well (in addition to performance, of course) – such as some of the models made by Maserati, BMW or Bugatti – many modern supercars have cockpits that practically resemble that of a jet fighter or a spaceship.
There are different driving modes to choose from, where you can even change the suspension and gear ratio settings while driving, tune the exhaust sound depending on what kind of locality you’re driving in, and enjoy the view with incredible visibility (think McLaren F1). The older supercars, in fact, like the unforgettable Ferrari F-40 does not even have power windows, a power steering, or a handle to close the door from the inside. That’s how barebones some of the interiors used to be, but what some supercars lack in interior refinement or luxury, they more than make up for in performance, handling, visual aesthetics, and of course, sound.
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Isn’t a supercar the same as a sports car or a hypercar?
Some people believe that the term “supercar” can be used interchangeably with hypercar or sports car. In truth, all three are very different classes of cars:
- A sports car is a slightly ‘boosted’ car so they offer a bit of a punch compared to ordinary cars. They’re typically in the 200-350HP range, so think about the Acura NSX, Mazda RX-7 or BMW M3 from the 1990s.
- Supercars take things up a few notches with very powerful engines, stiffer, more advanced suspensions, sleeker designs, and better aerodynamic characteristics. Examples include the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador SV, and the Nissan Skyline GTR.
- Hypercars are the “next level” of performance cars. Many are road-legal while some are built exclusively for the racetrack – these include the Ferrari FXX-K Evo, Mercedes Benz AMG One, Pagani Huayra BC, and many others.
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Liber Financial can help you determine eligibility and make the entire process really easy for you.
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