Just to throw a wrench into this argument, the Japanese market RX-7s had a back seat option (uncomfortable as hell, but it existed). It didn’t adversely affect the performance, and certainly less than a passenger would.
Meanwhile, the Mclaren F1 had three seats, with the driver sitting center for obvious reasons. The configuration and addition of the seats actually balanced the weight distribution of the car, throwing any hard definition surrounding seating, completely away.
All in all, the simple fact is that most of these terms took on definitions to…sell…cars to people who don’t know much about them. That enthusiasts argue about what is and isn’t, is interesting, because at the end of the day, we can pretty much point out a performance car vs a non-performance car, in whatever category of performance it participates.
Depends on the Ferrari in question, any of the modern ferraris with all the automation crap and flappy-paddle gearbox? Rolling status symbol, nothing more, a classic F40 with no nannyware, no automation, and a true three pedal manual? Perhaps one of the last truly great Ferraris and a REAL Supercar
I hope it’s not the Stingray (aka C7), because then Amateur Barbarian would beg to differ: those weigh 3,298 pounds – seven pounds more than the 370Z, which we already know isn’t a sports car because of its weight.
I don’t know why it bothers me to see the Z lumped in with the Genesis Coupe, but it does. The Genesis would be more comparable to the Honda Accord V6 Coupe, no? (I had an Accord V6 coupe until I got the Z, and I’ll tell you that those two cars definitely don’t belong in the same category.)
Actually, I do know why it bothers me: because I still believe that the Z is a sports car. YOU CAN’T TAKE MY SPORTS CAR AWAY FROM MEEEEEE!
The Genesis Coupe is closer to the 370Z because both are RWD cars with similar wheel base. The Accord is FWD. Also, the suspension on the Genesis is a much sportier set up. In fact, GC’s come in track specific models from factory in both the 2.0T and 3.8L variants.
The 370Z is a much nicer looking car however. I have no idea how the two compare on the track.
Also, just saw the new '14 Stingray. While I’ve never been a fan of the C3 thru C6 models, the C7 took me by surprise in that it’s a much improved design over the previous models. Can’t tell if it’s still Cpt. Plastic Fantastic though.
The Genesis has a useless rear seat, but otherwise is basically a Korean knock-off of the Z-car. RWD, V6 (optional), 3500 lbs, 348 horsepower, $29,100 MSRP, compared to RWD, V6, 3300 lbs, 332 horsepower, $29,500 MSRP
The Accord coupe, on the other hand, is FWD, is larger, has a usable rear seat, weighs about the same as the Z but is down on power by about 50. You could make an argument that it’s a touring car, but I don’t think there’s a lot of people who cross shop the two.
Except when you compare the F40 to the 250 GTO, right?. Because everybody knows the 250 GTO was the pinnacle and anything Ferrari did after that was for posers.
Here’s another interesting fact. The 330 GT was a 2+2 with a reasonably usable trunk for the size of car it was. Curb weight of just under 3200lb. So, according to some, not a sports car.
It’s an appropriate moniker for a car that was designed to compete in the Grand Touring class at LeMans. As for whether or not the Ford GT is really a grand tourer, that depends on whether or not you think the LMP cars are really prototypes for potential production models. It’s probably best not to get too hung up on naming conventions for racing cars.
Which is what I’ve been suggeting for all cars in general. Whether it’s in the name or not in the name, the definition of a sports car is almost entirely subjective.
And since we’ve not conclusively defined “sports car” as a specific engine/body/configuration type, couldn’t it be classified as both?
There was no “GT” class at Le Mans in the sixties. The GT40 competed in the FIA World Sportscar Championship in Group 6 (sports prototypes) and was subclassed into Division III at Le Mans. The modern FIA GT1-3 categories didn’t exist until the mid-nineties or so.
