The Car Show
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The e-book details the most interesting and important characteristics of the automobiles, car maintenance, styling features, car body style, the standard classification of the cars, an history of the automobiles, introduction in the automotive industry, and the traffic code, rules and signs. An automobile, usually called a car (an old word for carriage) or a truck, is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own engine. Older terms include horseless carriage and motor car, with “motor” referring to what is now usually called the engine. It has seats for the driver and, almost without exception, for at least one passenger. The automobile was hailed as an environmental improvement over horses when it was first introduced. Before its introduction, in New York City, over 10,000 tons of manure had to be removed from the streets daily. However, in 2006 the automobile is one of the primary sources of worldwide air pollution and cause of substantial noise and health effects.
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The Car Show
- 2. The Car Show Nicolae Sfetcu Published by Nicolae Sfetcu © 2006 Nicolae Sfetcu
- 3. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 2 The book is made by organizing Telework articles (main sources: my own articles, Wikipedia under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license adapted by Nicolae Sfetcu, and other sources). Text license: CC BY-SA 3.0 The information in this book (licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License) is from 2006 and has not been updated. DISCLAIMER: The author and publisher are providing this book and its contents on an “as is” basis and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its contents. The author and publisher disclaim all such representations and warranties for a particular purpose. In addition, the author and publisher do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this book is accurate, complete or current. Except as specifically stated in this book, neither the author or publisher, nor any authors, contributors, or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this book. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory; direct, indirect or consequential damages, including for third parties. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed, educational, legal or finance professional. Before you use it in any way, you will consult a licensed professional to ensure that you are doing what’s best for your situation. This book provides content related to educational topics. As such, use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.
- 4. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 3 Cuprins The Car Show ................................................................................................................................................1 1 Automobile ................................................................................................................................................ 29 History................................................................................................................................................... 29 Alternative fuels and batteries..................................................................................................... 34 Current Production........................................................................................................................... 35 Future of the car ................................................................................................................................ 36 Automobile platforms .......................................................................................................................... 39 Automobiles ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Drivetrain ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Military.................................................................................................................................................. 40 Slangs..................................................................................................................................................... 40 Uncategorized..................................................................................................................................... 40 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 40 Car companies that do not make FWD models........................................................................... 40 Vehicle models used in the military................................................................................................ 41 Great Britain........................................................................................................................................ 41 USA and Canada................................................................................................................................. 41 Slang terms for automobiles.............................................................................................................. 41 Generic................................................................................................................................................... 42 RV ............................................................................................................................................................ 44 Truck ...................................................................................................................................................... 45 Van .......................................................................................................................................................... 45 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 45 Hooptie....................................................................................................................................................... 46 Semi-trailer............................................................................................................................................... 46 Regional Configurations ................................................................................................................. 46 Construction........................................................................................................................................ 49 Drivers license.................................................................................................................................... 50 Road trains........................................................................................................................................... 50 Role in Industry.................................................................................................................................. 50
- 5. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 4 Television ............................................................................................................................................. 50 Taxicab ....................................................................................................................................................... 51 History and etymology.................................................................................................................... 51 Vehicles ................................................................................................................................................. 52 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 52 Slang terms for police vehicles ......................................................................................................... 52 Generic................................................................................................................................................... 52 Police bicycle....................................................................................................................................... 53 Police van.............................................................................................................................................. 54 SWAT van ............................................................................................................................................. 54 Jam sandwich........................................................................................................................................... 54 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 54 Panda car................................................................................................................................................... 55 Description........................................................................................................................................... 55 History................................................................................................................................................... 55 Models of car used ............................................................................................................................ 55 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 56 Ambulance................................................................................................................................................ 56 Ambulances in North America ..................................................................................................... 56 Ambulances in France ..................................................................................................................... 57 Ambulances in the UK...................................................................................................................... 59 Ambulances is Germany and Austria......................................................................................... 60 Military ambulances......................................................................................................................... 61 References............................................................................................................................................ 61 Police car ................................................................................................................................................... 61 Characteristics.................................................................................................................................... 62 Markings and paint schemes ........................................................................................................ 62 Deterrence............................................................................................................................................ 63 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 63 Police Emergency Wagon.................................................................................................................... 63 Paddywagon............................................................................................................................................. 64 SWAT van.................................................................................................................................................. 64 See also.................................................................................................................................................. 64
- 6. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 5 Automobile manufacturers ................................................................................................................ 65 Companies by Country .................................................................................................................... 65 Automobile model and marque oddities ....................................................................................111 Single-vehicle marques.................................................................................................................111 Eponymous marques .....................................................................................................................112 Multi-marque models ....................................................................................................................112 Unrelated models............................................................................................................................113 Identical models...............................................................................................................................114 Racing homologation specials....................................................................................................115 Not for sale.........................................................................................................................................116 See also................................................................................................................................................116 Automobile model nameplates with a discontiguous timeline..........................................117 Near-miss ...........................................................................................................................................118 Notes.....................................................................................................................................................118 Automotive superlatives...................................................................................................................118 Some notes about units of measurement used herein......................................................119 Engine capacity ................................................................................................................................119 Dimensions ........................................................................................................................................121 Power...................................................................................................................................................123 Performance......................................................................................................................................125 Sales......................................................................................................................................................126 Firsts.....................................................................................................................................................126 Pre-War...............................................................................................................................................136 See also................................................................................................................................................136 Bestselling vehicle nameplates.......................................................................................................136 See also................................................................................................................................................137 Diesel automobiles ..............................................................................................................................137 Alfa Romeo.........................................................................................................................................137 AM General.........................................................................................................................................137 Audi.......................................................................................................................................................137 Buick.....................................................................................................................................................138 BMW.....................................................................................................................................................138 Cadillac ................................................................................................................................................138
- 7. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 6 Chevrolet.............................................................................................................................................138 Chrysler...............................................................................................................................................139 Citroën.................................................................................................................................................140 DaimlerChrysler...............................................................................................................................140 Dodge ...................................................................................................................................................140 Fiat ........................................................................................................................................................140 Ford.......................................................................................................................................................140 International .....................................................................................................................................140 GMC.......................................................................................................................................................142 Honda...................................................................................................................................................142 Hyundai...............................................................................................................................................142 Jaguar...................................................................................................................................................142 Kia..........................................................................................................................................................142 Land Rover.........................................................................................................................................143 Lincoln.................................................................................................................................................143 Mazda...................................................................................................................................................143 Mercedes-Benz.................................................................................................................................143 Mercury...............................................................................................................................................144 Nissan...................................................................................................................................................144 Opel.......................................................................................................................................................144 Peugeot................................................................................................................................................145 Renault ................................................................................................................................................145 Rover....................................................................................................................................................145 SAAB.....................................................................................................................................................146 Seat........................................................................................................................................................146 Skoda....................................................................................................................................................146 Suzuki...................................................................................................................................................146 TATA.....................................................................................................................................................146 Toyota..................................................................................................................................................146 Vauxhall...............................................................................................................................................147 Volkswagen........................................................................................................................................147 Volvo.....................................................................................................................................................147 Famous automobiles...........................................................................................................................147
- 8. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 7 Real .......................................................................................................................................................148 From fiction .......................................................................................................................................148 See also................................................................................................................................................150 Unrelated vehicles with identical nameplates..........................................................................150 Songs about automobiles..................................................................................................................153 0-9 .........................................................................................................................................................153 A .............................................................................................................................................................153 B .............................................................................................................................................................153 C..............................................................................................................................................................154 D.............................................................................................................................................................154 E..............................................................................................................................................................155 F..............................................................................................................................................................155 G .............................................................................................................................................................155 H.............................................................................................................................................................155 I...............................................................................................................................................................155 J...............................................................................................................................................................156 K .............................................................................................................................................................156 L..............................................................................................................................................................156 M ............................................................................................................................................................156 N.............................................................................................................................................................157 O.............................................................................................................................................................157 P..............................................................................................................................................................157 Q.............................................................................................................................................................157 R .............................................................................................................................................................157 S..............................................................................................................................................................158 T .............................................................................................................................................................158 U.............................................................................................................................................................158 V .............................................................................................................................................................159 W............................................................................................................................................................159 Y..............................................................................................................................................................159 See also................................................................................................................................................159 Automotive flops..................................................................................................................................159 Vehicles ...............................................................................................................................................159
- 9. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 8 Brands..................................................................................................................................................164 Management......................................................................................................................................165 Mini based cars .....................................................................................................................................165 Australia..............................................................................................................................................166 Italy.......................................................................................................................................................166 United Kingdom...............................................................................................................................166 Automotive packages .........................................................................................................................169 Convenience package .........................................................................................................................169 See also................................................................................................................................................170 Handling package.................................................................................................................................171 See also................................................................................................................................................171 Navigation package .............................................................................................................................171 See also................................................................................................................................................172 Performance package.........................................................................................................................172 See also................................................................................................................................................172 Safety package.......................................................................................................................................172 See also................................................................................................................................................173 Sports package ......................................................................................................................................173 See also................................................................................................................................................174 Trim package .........................................................................................................................................174 See also................................................................................................................................................175 Most expensive cars............................................................................................................................175 Automobile awards .............................................................................................................................178 European Car of the Year..................................................................................................................178 Current rules.....................................................................................................................................179 Comments on each winner..........................................................................................................179 North American Car of the Year .....................................................................................................187 World Car of the Year .........................................................................................................................188 2006......................................................................................................................................................188 2005......................................................................................................................................................189 Fictional automobiles.........................................................................................................................189 Automobiles ......................................................................................................................................189 Recreational Vehicles.....................................................................................................................191
- 10. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 9 Flying cars/personal spacecraft................................................................................................191 Railroads and trains.......................................................................................................................192 See also................................................................................................................................................192 Auto racing..............................................................................................................................................192 History.................................................................................................................................................192 Categories...........................................................................................................................................194 Use of flags .........................................................................................................................................198 Accidents.............................................................................................................................................199 Formula One...........................................................................................................................................199 History.................................................................................................................................................200 Racing and strategy........................................................................................................................203 Drivers and constructors..............................................................................................................204 Grands Prix ........................................................................................................................................205 Circuits.................................................................................................................................................206 The future of Formula One ..........................................................................................................207 Notes.....................................................................................................................................................210 Rallying ....................................................................................................................................................211 History.................................................................................................................................................211 Rally cars.............................................................................................................................................212 Rally courses .....................................................................................................................................212 Reconnaissance drives..................................................................................................................213 Notable rallies...................................................................................................................................213 Auto show ...............................................................................................................................................214 List of Auto Shows...........................................................................................................................214 2 Maintenance............................................................................................................................................216 Auto mechanic.......................................................................................................................................216 Tire rotation...........................................................................................................................................216 Wheel alignment...................................................................................................................................217 See also................................................................................................................................................218 3 Styling Features .....................................................................................................................................219 Hidden headlights................................................................................................................................219 Partial list of cars with hidden headlights.............................................................................219 Personal luxury car .............................................................................................................................221
- 11. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 10 Definition............................................................................................................................................221 Origins..................................................................................................................................................221 The personal luxury market emerges .....................................................................................222 Decline.................................................................................................................................................223 Partial list ...........................................................................................................................................223 Streetfighter...........................................................................................................................................224 Modifications are commonly made to Streetfighter:.........................................................224 Controversy.......................................................................................................................................225 Tailfin........................................................................................................................................................225 Vinyl roof.................................................................................................................................................226 History.................................................................................................................................................226 Styles ....................................................................................................................................................227 Issues for Collectors .......................................................................................................................228 Whitewall tire........................................................................................................................................229 4 Car body style .........................................................................................................................................230 Styles in current use.......................................................................................................................230 Historical body styles.....................................................................................................................235 See also..........................................................................................................................................................236 A-pillar ..........................................................................................................................................................238 Bangle-butt.............................................................................................................................................238 Brougham................................................................................................................................................239 Cab forward............................................................................................................................................239 Cabrio coach...........................................................................................................................................239 Coupe ........................................................................................................................................................241 Pronunciation ...................................................................................................................................241 History.................................................................................................................................................241 Coupe de Ville........................................................................................................................................243 Model History ...................................................................................................................................243 Popular culture.................................................................................................................................244 Coupe de Ville songs.......................................................................................................................244 Combi coupé...........................................................................................................................................244 Coupe Utility...........................................................................................................................................245 Features...............................................................................................................................................245
- 12. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 11 Origins..................................................................................................................................................245 The Term "Ute".................................................................................................................................246 Vehicles of This Style .....................................................................................................................246 References..........................................................................................................................................246 Coupe roadster......................................................................................................................................246 Crew cab ..................................................................................................................................................247 References..........................................................................................................................................247 Dune buggy.............................................................................................................................................247 Design ..................................................................................................................................................247 Function..............................................................................................................................................248 History.................................................................................................................................................248 Military buggy's................................................................................................................................248 Tube Framed Buggies....................................................................................................................248 Fastback...................................................................................................................................................249 Examples of two-door fastback cars........................................................................................249 Examples of four-door fastback cars .......................................................................................249 See also................................................................................................................................................249 Hackney carriage..................................................................................................................................250 Black cabs...........................................................................................................................................250 History.................................................................................................................................................250 City of Boston....................................................................................................................................251 Hardtop....................................................................................................................................................251 Detachable hardtops......................................................................................................................251 Pillarless hardtops..........................................................................................................................252 See also................................................................................................................................................253 Hearse.......................................................................................................................................................253 Cultural references .........................................................................................................................255 See also................................................................................................................................................255 High Wheeler.........................................................................................................................................255 Kammback ..............................................................................................................................................255 Landau......................................................................................................................................................256 Coachbuilding...................................................................................................................................256 Automobiles ......................................................................................................................................257
- 13. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 12 Reference............................................................................................................................................257 Notchback ...............................................................................................................................................259 Examples.............................................................................................................................................259 See also................................................................................................................................................259 Panel van .................................................................................................................................................259 Australian panel vans ....................................................................................................................259 See also................................................................................................................................................260 Phaeton body.........................................................................................................................................261 Retractable hardtop............................................................................................................................261 History.................................................................................................................................................261 List of cars with retractable hardtops.....................................................................................261 References..........................................................................................................................................262 Roadster...................................................................................................................................................262 See also................................................................................................................................................263 Runabout.................................................................................................................................................263 Shooting-brake......................................................................................................................................264 Softtop ......................................................................................................................................................264 Sportwagon ............................................................................................................................................264 Spyder.......................................................................................................................................................264 See also................................................................................................................................................265 Stanhope body.......................................................................................................................................265 T-bucket...................................................................................................................................................265 T-top..........................................................................................................................................................266 See also................................................................................................................................................266 Targa top .................................................................................................................................................266 Three window coupe..........................................................................................................................268 Tonneau...................................................................................................................................................268 Touring car .............................................................................................................................................268 Van.............................................................................................................................................................269 Word usage and etymology.........................................................................................................269 Examples.............................................................................................................................................270 Usage....................................................................................................................................................270 Criticism..............................................................................................................................................270
- 14. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 13 Alternatives .......................................................................................................................................271 See also................................................................................................................................................271 Makes of van......................................................................................................................................271 Woodie .....................................................................................................................................................273 5 Car classifications..................................................................................................................................275 Microcar..............................................................................................................................................275 Hatchback...........................................................................................................................................276 Sedan/saloon and station wagon / estate.............................................................................278 Sportive cars......................................................................................................................................280 Cabriolet / convertible..................................................................................................................282 4x4.........................................................................................................................................................283 Minivan / MPV..................................................................................................................................284 Other.....................................................................................................................................................285 See also................................................................................................................................................285 List of cars...............................................................................................................................................285 Argentina............................................................................................................................................285 Armenia...............................................................................................................................................285 Australia..............................................................................................................................................286 Austria .................................................................................................................................................287 Belarus.................................................................................................................................................287 Belgium ...............................................................................................................................................288 Brazil ....................................................................................................................................................288 Bulgaria...............................................................................................................................................288 Canada .................................................................................................................................................289 China.....................................................................................................................................................290 Czech Republic .................................................................................................................................290 Denmark .............................................................................................................................................291 Estonia.................................................................................................................................................291 Finland.................................................................................................................................................291 France ..................................................................................................................................................291 Germany..............................................................................................................................................293 Greece ..................................................................................................................................................295 Hungary...............................................................................................................................................296
- 15. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 14 India......................................................................................................................................................296 Iran........................................................................................................................................................296 Ireland..................................................................................................................................................297 Israel.....................................................................................................................................................297 Italy.......................................................................................................................................................297 Japan.....................................................................................................................................................300 Latvia....................................................................................................................................................300 Liechtenstein.....................................................................................................................................300 Lithuania.............................................................................................................................................300 Malaysia ..............................................................................................................................................300 Namibia...............................................................................................................................................301 Netherlands.......................................................................................................................................301 North Korea.......................................................................................................................................301 Norway................................................................................................................................................301 Philippines .........................................................................................................................................301 Poland..................................................................................................................................................301 Portugal...............................................................................................................................................302 Romania..............................................................................................................................................302 Russia...................................................................................................................................................302 Serbia ...................................................................................................................................................302 Slovenia...............................................................................................................................................302 South Korea .......................................................................................................................................303 Spain.....................................................................................................................................................303 Sweden ................................................................................................................................................303 Switzerland........................................................................................................................................304 Turkey..................................................................................................................................................304 Ukraine................................................................................................................................................305 United Arab Emirates ....................................................................................................................305 United Kingdom...............................................................................................................................305 United States .....................................................................................................................................310 Vietnam...............................................................................................................................................317 See also................................................................................................................................................317 Vehicle size class ..................................................................................................................................317
- 16. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 15 North America ..................................................................................................................................318 Europe .................................................................................................................................................319 Microcars.................................................................................................................................................320 Reasons for microcars...................................................................................................................320 Microcars by countries..................................................................................................................321 Electric microcars ...........................................................................................................................325 See also................................................................................................................................................326 References..........................................................................................................................................326 Hatchback................................................................................................................................................326 History.................................................................................................................................................327 Similar body styles..........................................................................................................................328 See also................................................................................................................................................329 City car......................................................................................................................................................329 Internal combustion engine (ICE) city cars...........................................................................329 Battery electric city cars...............................................................................................................331 See also................................................................................................................................................331 Supermini car ........................................................................................................................................331 History.................................................................................................................................................332 See also................................................................................................................................................334 Subcompact cars...................................................................................................................................334 See also................................................................................................................................................335 Family car................................................................................................................................................335 Small family cars..............................................................................................................................335 Large family cars .............................................................................................................................336 Full-size family cars........................................................................................................................336 Compact car............................................................................................................................................336 See also................................................................................................................................................336 Economy car...........................................................................................................................................337 Sedan.........................................................................................................................................................337 Description.........................................................................................................................................338 Types of sedan..................................................................................................................................338 Small sedans......................................................................................................................................339 Terminology......................................................................................................................................339
- 17. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 16 Sports sedan...........................................................................................................................................340 6 passenger Sedans .............................................................................................................................340 Station wagon........................................................................................................................................341 History.................................................................................................................................................341 All-steel wagons...............................................................................................................................342 Declining popularity in North America...................................................................................344 Station wagons around the world.............................................................................................344 Tailgate evolution............................................................................................................................345 See also................................................................................................................................................346 Sources ................................................................................................................................................346 Sportive cars ..........................................................................................................................................347 Hot hatch .................................................................................................................................................347 Development of the hot hatch ....................................................................................................347 See also................................................................................................................................................350 Sports car ................................................................................................................................................350 Layout ..................................................................................................................................................351 Seating .................................................................................................................................................353 Safety....................................................................................................................................................353 Examples.............................................................................................................................................353 See also................................................................................................................................................355 Grand tourers ........................................................................................................................................355 Supercars.................................................................................................................................................356 Performance criteria......................................................................................................................356 Other criteria.....................................................................................................................................357 See also................................................................................................................................................358 List of supercars ...................................................................................................................................358 Supercars............................................................................................................................................358 Unproduced supercars..................................................................................................................360 Planned supercars...........................................................................................................................361 Disputed/questionable supercars............................................................................................361 See also................................................................................................................................................362 Muscle cars .............................................................................................................................................362 Definition............................................................................................................................................362
- 18. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 17 Origins..................................................................................................................................................362 Politics of the Muscle Car .............................................................................................................363 Outside the US ..................................................................................................................................364 Modern muscle cars .......................................................................................................................364 American muscle cars....................................................................................................................365 See also................................................................................................................................................366 Cabriolet ..................................................................................................................................................366 See also................................................................................................................................................366 Convertible .............................................................................................................................................366 Notable convertibles......................................................................................................................367 See also................................................................................................................................................367 Four-wheel drive..................................................................................................................................368 Design ..................................................................................................................................................368 History.................................................................................................................................................370 4WD in road racing.........................................................................................................................371 Terminology......................................................................................................................................371 Four wheel drives in Australia...................................................................................................372 Unusual four-wheel drive systems...........................................................................................372 See also................................................................................................................................................372 Sport utility vehicle .............................................................................................................................373 Design characteristics....................................................................................................................373 History.................................................................................................................................................373 SUVs in remote areas.....................................................................................................................374 Other names ......................................................................................................................................374 Hybrid technology...........................................................................................................................375 SUVs in recreation and motorsport..........................................................................................375 Criticism..............................................................................................................................................375 Protests ...............................................................................................................................................379 See also................................................................................................................................................379 Notes and references .....................................................................................................................380 Additional reading ..........................................................................................................................380 Mini SUV ..................................................................................................................................................380 List of mini SUVs..............................................................................................................................380
- 19. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 18 Crossover SUV.......................................................................................................................................381 History.................................................................................................................................................381 Advantages.........................................................................................................................................382 Continuing proliferation...............................................................................................................382 See also................................................................................................................................................384 Minivan ....................................................................................................................................................384 History.................................................................................................................................................384 Current models.................................................................................................................................385 Public image in the USA................................................................................................................386 Minivan model prototype oddities...........................................................................................386 Minivan examples ...........................................................................................................................386 Recreational vehicle............................................................................................................................387 Vintage car..............................................................................................................................................389 Full-size vehicles ..................................................................................................................................389 Decline and renaissance ...............................................................................................................390 List of full-size cars.........................................................................................................................390 See also................................................................................................................................................391 Keicars......................................................................................................................................................391 History and regulations ................................................................................................................392 Manufacturers of keicars..............................................................................................................393 Famous example cars.....................................................................................................................393 See also................................................................................................................................................393 Hybrid vehicles .....................................................................................................................................393 Hybrids currently available.........................................................................................................395 Types....................................................................................................................................................397 Engines and fuel sources..............................................................................................................402 Benefits................................................................................................................................................405 Hybrids vs. electric vehicles........................................................................................................407 Other hybrid vehicles.....................................................................................................................408 See also................................................................................................................................................408 Footnotes & references.................................................................................................................408 List of hybrid vehicles ........................................................................................................................409 Early designs.....................................................................................................................................409
- 20. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 19 1990s....................................................................................................................................................409 2000s....................................................................................................................................................409 Unknown date...................................................................................................................................410 Planned................................................................................................................................................410 Gas-electric hybrid engine................................................................................................................410 Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle ........................................................................................................411 Types....................................................................................................................................................411 Advantages.........................................................................................................................................412 Implementations .............................................................................................................................412 Battery electric vehicle..................................................................................................................413 Vehicle-to-grid..................................................................................................................................413 Luxury vehicles.....................................................................................................................................413 General definition (for American cars)...................................................................................414 Non-luxury prestige vehicles......................................................................................................414 Luxury market segments (for American cars).....................................................................415 Luxury SUV (United States).........................................................................................................416 European (German) definition...................................................................................................417 Luxury car manufacturers ...........................................................................................................418 References..........................................................................................................................................419 See also................................................................................................................................................419 Mid-size car ............................................................................................................................................419 North America ..................................................................................................................................419 Europe, Australia & New Zealand.............................................................................................420 Japan.....................................................................................................................................................421 See also................................................................................................................................................421 Pickup trucks .........................................................................................................................................421 Types of pickups..............................................................................................................................422 Pickup cab styles..............................................................................................................................424 Pickup bed styles.............................................................................................................................426 The cultural significance of the pickup...................................................................................427 Military use........................................................................................................................................428 Other uses...........................................................................................................................................428 Miscellaneous....................................................................................................................................429
- 21. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 20 Prestige vehicles...................................................................................................................................429 Guidelines...........................................................................................................................................429 Semi-luxury Prestige vehicles ....................................................................................................429 Non-luxury Prestige vehicles......................................................................................................430 Prestige categories..........................................................................................................................430 List of prestige marques...............................................................................................................431 Production Electric vehicles ............................................................................................................431 History.................................................................................................................................................432 Efficiency ............................................................................................................................................432 Performance......................................................................................................................................434 Fuels .....................................................................................................................................................434 Range....................................................................................................................................................434 Battery charging ..............................................................................................................................435 Battery life..........................................................................................................................................435 Safety....................................................................................................................................................436 Future...................................................................................................................................................437 Owners ................................................................................................................................................437 Controversy.......................................................................................................................................438 United States .....................................................................................................................................439 Outside the United States.............................................................................................................439 Production vehicles........................................................................................................................439 Prototypes..........................................................................................................................................440 Production announcements........................................................................................................441 Hobbyists, research, and racing.................................................................................................441 See also................................................................................................................................................442 Patents.................................................................................................................................................442 2 plus 2.....................................................................................................................................................443 Air car .......................................................................................................................................................443 Compact SUV..........................................................................................................................................443 List of compact SUVs......................................................................................................................443 Concept cars...........................................................................................................................................444 See also................................................................................................................................................446 Cyclecar....................................................................................................................................................446
- 22. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 21 General description ........................................................................................................................446 The cyclecars appear......................................................................................................................446 Sporting cars and cyclecar races...............................................................................................448 The decline of cyclecars................................................................................................................448 Cyclecars by countries...................................................................................................................448 See also................................................................................................................................................453 Books....................................................................................................................................................453 Leisure activity vehicle ......................................................................................................................454 Limousine................................................................................................................................................454 Limousine ownership and rental..............................................................................................454 Limousine types...............................................................................................................................454 See also................................................................................................................................................456 Pony car ...................................................................................................................................................456 Origins of the breed........................................................................................................................457 Defining the class.............................................................................................................................457 Pony car competitors.....................................................................................................................458 Expansion and decline...................................................................................................................458 Later developments........................................................................................................................459 Professional car ....................................................................................................................................460 Safety car.................................................................................................................................................460 Formula One......................................................................................................................................460 Indianapolis 500..............................................................................................................................461 NASCAR...............................................................................................................................................461 Production safety cars...................................................................................................................462 Show car ..................................................................................................................................................462 History.................................................................................................................................................464 See also................................................................................................................................................464 Sport compact........................................................................................................................................464 Classification & debate..................................................................................................................464 Tuning..................................................................................................................................................465 Motorsports.......................................................................................................................................466 Market trends ...................................................................................................................................466 See also................................................................................................................................................466
- 23. NICOLAE SFETCU: THE CAR SHOW 22 Voiturette ................................................................................................................................................466 Green vehicles .......................................................................................................................................467 Alternative propulsion.......................................................................................................................467 Definition............................................................................................................................................467 Motivation..........................................................................................................................................468 Application fields.............................................................................................................................468 Criteria for successful application of alternative propulsion.........................................468 See also................................................................................................................................................468 Electric vehicles....................................................................................................................................468 History.................................................................................................................................................470 Future...................................................................................................................................................470 Electric vehicles and the automotive industry ....................................................................471 Patents.................................................................................................................................................471 See also................................................................................................................................................471 History of the electric vehicle..........................................................................................................473 Flexible-fuel vehicles ..........................................................................................................................473 Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States.............................................................................473 Flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil ...................................................................................................474 Flexible-fuel vehicles in Europe.................................................................................................475 List of currently-produced flexible fuel vehicles ................................................................475 See also................................................................................................................................................475 Hydrogen vehicle .................................................................................................................................476 Hydrogen fuel cell ...........................................................................................................................476 Hydrogen internal combustion..................................................................................................478 Automobile and bus makers .......................................................................................................479 Fuel stations ......................................................................................................................................480 Planes...................................................................................................................................................480 References..........................................................................................................................................482 See also................................................................................................................................................482 Low-energy vehicles ...........................................................................................................................482 Motivation..........................................................................................................................................482 Preconditions....................................................................................................................................483 Facts......................................................................................................................................................483