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46-787: Giorgetto Giugiaro ( Italian pronunciation: [dʒorˈdʒetto dʒuˈdʒaːro] ; born 7 August 1938) is an Italian automotive designer. He has worked on supercars and popular everyday vehicles. He was born in Garessio , Cuneo , Piedmont . Giugiaro was named Car Designer of the Century in 1999 and inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2002. He was awarded the Compasso d'Oro industrial design award six times. In addition to cars, Giugiaro designed camera bodies for Nikon , Navigation promenade of Porto Santo Stefano , in 1983,

92-631: A 4-meter length, high roof, high h-point , multi-functional, monospace design — but ultimately decided the concept was too risky for production. In retrospect, the Megagamma was more influential than successful in its own right. It is considered the "conceptual birth mother of the MPV/minivan movement." it influenced design of such mini/compact MPVs as the Nissan Prairie (1981) and Fiat 500L (2011), as well as larger MPVs, including

138-532: A capital S. Its use reflected the intense competition for primacy in that market segment between U.S. manufacturers, retroactively characterized as the "horsepower wars". Already by 1965 the May issue of the American magazine Car Life included multiple references to supercars and "the supercar club", and a 1968 issue of Car & Driver magazine describes a "Supercar street racer gang" market segment. The "S/C" in

184-433: A distance of eight miles. It was won by the locomotive of Isaac Watt Boulton , one of six he said he had run over the years, perhaps driven by his 22-year-old son, James W. The race was against Daniel Adamson's carriage, likely the one made for Mr. Schmidt and perhaps driven by Mr. Schmidt himself. The reports do not indicate who was driving, since both were violating the red-flag law then fully in force. Boulton's carriage

230-422: A dual-clutch transmission. A more recent term for high-performance sportscars is "hypercar", which is sometimes used to describe the highest performing supercars. An extension of "supercar", it too lacks a set definition. One offered by automotive magazine The Drive is "a limited-production, top-of-the-line supercar"; prices can reach or exceed US$ 1 million, and already had by 2017. Some observers consider

276-593: A high-speed test, car handling manoeuvres can be tested such as precision drifting , donuts, handbrake turns, reversing and so on. Other disciplines of automobile sport include: The international motorcycle sport governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee is the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Disciplines include: The international powerboating governing body recognised by

322-591: A hill, at private and closed roadways where higher speeds and distances can be reached than at an autotesting course for example. Time attack are terms used by series that run sprints at racing circuits where competitors try to set the quickest lap time rather than racing head-to-head with others. Time trials are run by the Sports Car Club of America , amongst others. Rallysprints are mainly sanctioned and held in continental Europe. Ultimately, they are similar to other time trial sprints but originate from

368-467: A low, handling-favorable center of gravity , and less frontal area than a front engined car, reducing its aerodynamic drag and enabling a higher top speed. Since the 2000s, the term hypercar has come into use for the highest performance supercars. Supercars commonly serve as the flagship model within a vehicle manufacturer's sports car range, and typically feature various performance-related technology derived from motorsports . Some examples include

414-452: A race is between competitors running head-to-head, in its International Sporting Code, the FIA defines racing as two or more cars competing on the same course simultaneously. Circuit racing takes place on sealed-surface courses at permanent autodromes or on temporary street circuits . Competitors race over a set number of laps of the circuit with the winner being the first to finish, or for

460-493: A rarefied atmosphere of its own"; exclusivity – in terms of limited production volumes, such as those of the most elite models made by Ferrari or Lamborghini – is also an important characteristic for some using the term. Some European manufacturers, such as McLaren , Pagani , and Koenigsegg , specialize in only producing supercars. During the 1960s the highest performance American muscle cars were referred to by some as supercars, sometimes spelled with

506-532: A rise in American supercars with similar characteristics to their European counterparts. Some American "Big Three" (i.e. General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, the historic giants of America's Detroit-based auto-industry) sports cars which have been referred to as supercars include contemporary Chevrolet Corvettes , the Dodge Viper , and the Ford GT . Supercars made by smaller American manufacturers include

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552-464: A sealed surface such as asphalt or concrete. Notable off-road races on open terrain include the Baja 1000 desert race, organised by SCORE International . The FIA authorise Extreme E , an electric off-road series whose organisers have announced a hydrogen fuel series, Extreme H, to begin in 2025. Examples of off-road racing disciplines and series include: Drag racing is an acceleration contest from

598-493: A set length of time with the winner having completed the highest number of laps, with others classified subsequently. Circuit racing replaced point-to-point (city-to-city) racing early in the history of motorsport, for both spectator appeal and as safety concerns brought in regulation of the sport, forcing organisers to use closed, marshalled and policed circuits on closed public roads. Aspendale Racecourse in Australia in 1906

644-399: A standing start along a short and straight course. Vehicles of various types can compete, usually between two vehicles. Winners can be the first to finish of competing pairs or by setting the fastest time, and competitions may have heats and/or series of runs. Kart racing is a form of circuit racing using very small and low vehicles not considered as automobiles known as go-karts. It is one of

690-1107: A trend started in 2013 by the McLaren P1 , Porsche 918 Spyder , and LaFerrari , then continued in 2016 with the Koenigsegg Regera , in 2017 with the Mercedes-AMG One , and the McLaren Speedtail . Modern hypercars such as Pininfarina Battista , NIO EP9 , Rimac Nevera , and Lotus Evija have also gone full-electric . Hypercars have also been used as a base for the Le Mans Hypercar class after rule changes come into effect from 2021. Motorsports Different manifestations of motorsport with their own objectives and specific rules are called disciplines. Examples include circuit racing , rallying and trials . Governing bodies, also called sanctioning bodies, often have general rules for each discipline, but allow supplementary rules to define

736-428: A twin-turbo V6 producing between 473–710 hp (353–529 kW; 480–720 PS), and has been lauded for its acceleration and handling through its all-wheel-drive drivetrain and dual-clutch transmission. The second generation Honda NSX supercar made from 2016 to 2022 upped the ante for Honda by using all-wheel drive, a hybrid powertrain (producing up to 602 hp (449 kW; 610 PS)), turbocharging, and

782-453: Is a form of motorsport where drivers intentionally lose rolling traction in corners through oversteering but maintain momentum with effective throttle control, clutch use and corrective steering. In competition a panel of judges award marks on artistry and car control through the corner or series of corners. Competitions often feature pairs of cars driving together where a lead car and a chase car go head-to-head, with only one car going through to

828-498: Is called a series, and a grouping of competitions often forms the basis of a championship , cup or trophy . Not all nations have a sporting authority affiliated with the FIA, some disciplines may not fall within the FIA's remit of control, or organisations may choose to ignore the claim of the authority of others. Examples include banger racing and stock car racing in the United Kingdom which are claimed by both

874-556: Is often said to be the first supercar. By the 1970s and 1980s the term was in regular use for such a car, if not precisely defined. One interpretation up until the 1990s was to use it for mid-engine two-seat cars with at least eight cylinders (but typically a V12 engine ), a power output of at least 400 bhp (298 kW) and a top speed of at least 180 mph (290 km/h). Other interpretations state that "it must be very fast, with sporting handling to match", "it should be sleek and eye-catching" and its price should be "one in

920-735: The DMC DeLorean . Notable in its own time for its unique design, the car was prominently featured in the Hollywood blockbuster movie series Back to the Future . His most commercially successful design was the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 . In 1976, Giugiaro explored a new taxi concept with the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), which became the 1978 Lancia Megagamma concept. Fiat had commissioned the 1978 concept from Italdesign , asking for

966-502: The Ferrari 458 Italia , Lamborghini Aventador , and McLaren 720S . By contrast, automotive journalism typically reserves the predicate 'hypercar' for (very) limited, (two- to low 4-figure) production-number cars, built over and above the marque's typical product line-up and carrying 21st century sales prices often exceeding a million euros , dollars or pounds : examples would include the 1270 unit Porsche's Carrera GT , Ford GTs , and

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1012-539: The Renault Espace and Chrysler minivans . Supercar A supercar , also known as an exotic car , is a type of automobile generally described at its most basic as a street-legal sports car with race track-like power, speed, and handling , plus a certain subjective cachet linked to pedigree, exclusivity, or both. The term 'supercar' is frequently used for the extreme fringe of powerful, low-bodied mid-engineed luxury sportscars. A low car has both

1058-488: The Saleen S7 , SSC Ultimate Aero , SSC Tuatara , Hennessey Venom GT , and Hennessey Venom F5 . During the early 1990s, Japan began to gain global recognition for making high-performance sports cars; the automotive media seized on the lightweight, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, V6 Honda NSX produced from 1990 to 2005 as Japan's "first". While matching contemporary European supercars in performance and features,

1104-694: The United States , dirt track racing became popular. After World War II , the Grand Prix circuit became more formally organised. In the United States, stock car racing and drag racing became firmly established. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), formed in 1904, is the oldest and most prominent international governing body. It claims to be the sole international motor sporting authority for automobiles and other land vehicles with four or more wheels, whilst acknowledging

1150-579: The organ of the cathedral of Lausanne (composed of about 7000 pipes) in 2003, and developed a new pasta shape, "Marille". He also designed several watch models for Seiko, mainly racing chronographs, as well as office furniture for Okamura Corporation. Giugiaro's earliest cars, like the Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés , often featured tastefully arched and curving shapes, such as the De Tomaso Mangusta , Iso Grifo , and Maserati Ghibli . In

1196-631: The ASNs must be obtained to organise events using their rules, and their licenses must be held by participants. Not all ASNs function in the same manner, some are private companies such as Motorsport UK, some are supported by the state such as France's FFSA, or in the case of the US's ACCUS, a council of sanctioning bodies is the national representative at FIA meetings. ASNs, their affiliated clubs or independent commercial promotors organise motorsport events which often include competitions . A collective of events

1242-516: The Ferrari F40 / F50 / Enzo lineage. Very few car makers, like Bugatti and Koenigsegg , only make hypercars. In the United States, the term "supercars" was used already during the 1960s for the highest performance muscle cars . As of 2024, "supercars" is still used in Australia to refer to Australian muscle cars . The Lamborghini Miura , introduced in 1966 by the Italian manufacturer,

1288-566: The NSX was praised for being more reliable and user-friendly. In the 21st century, other Japanese makers produced their own supercars. From 2010 to 2012, Lexus offered the Lexus LFA , a two-seat front-engine coupe powered by a 4.8 L (293 cu in) V10 engine producing 553 hp (412 kW; 561 PS). The 2009–present Nissan GT-R has also been praised as a modern supercar that also delivers every day practicality. It features

1334-639: The Oshkosh and the Green Bay (the machines were referred to by their town of origin). This is examined and illustrated in detail in The Great Race of 1878 by Richard Backus, Farm Collector, May/June 2004. In 1894, the French newspaper Le Petit Journal organised a contest for horseless carriages featuring a run from Paris to Rouen. This is widely accepted as the world's first motorsport event, and

1380-690: The Oval Racing Council and the National Stock car Association, despite the claim by the FIA affiliated ASN, Motorsport UK , to be the "governing body of all four-wheel motorsport in the UK". SCORE International , National Auto Sport Association and National Off-Road Racing Association of the United States are also not members of the FIA affiliation system but may work with members for international matters. Although English dictionaries do not unanimously agree and singularly define that

1426-412: The authority of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) over vehicles with one to three wheels, which FIM calls motorcycle sport. FIM and FIA are both recognised as international sports federations by the International Olympic Committee . Within the FIA's structure, each affiliated National Sporting Authority ( ASN ) is recognised as the sole authority in their nation. Permission of

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1472-519: The cars and courses used in special stage rallying with the elements of navigation and itinerary removed, and not necessarily requiring a co-driver to call pacenotes . Rallying involves driving to a set itinerary, following a prescribed route and arriving and departing at control points at set times with penalties applied for diverging from the route or arriving late and early. Rallies nearly always involve routes on open roads, closed special stages are used on some rallies where competitors drive against

1518-516: The character of a particular competition, series or championship. Groups of these are often categorised informally, such as by vehicle type, surface type or propulsion method. Examples of categories within a discipline are formula racing , touring car racing , sports car racing , etc. The first prearranged match race of two self-powered road vehicles over a prescribed route occurred in the north west of England at 4:30 A.M. on August 30, 1867, between Ashton-under-Lyne and Old Trafford, Manchester ,

1564-699: The clock, the winner having the shortest, lowest average or total time. Hillclimbing events often include classes of competition for various categories and ages of vehicle and so may be incorporated into car shows or festivals of motoring such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed . Hill climb courses can be short at less than 1 mile, or several miles long such as the 12.42 mile Pikes Peak course in Colorado , USA. Sprints are governed by national FIA member ASNs in United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, amongst other places. They are held on courses that do not climb

1610-519: The clock. The classification of these rallies are determined by summing the times set with the fastest crews being victorious, as found in the World Rally Championship . This method is often called rally racing or stage rallying informally, whilst rallies that do not include special stages are distinctly regularity rallies . Rallies that include routes that cover terrain off-road are also known as rally raid or cross-country rallies,

1656-439: The general form of time trials and sprints. Hillclimbing is the most widely known form of time-trial due to its status as the only time trial or sprint form to have international FIA championships and endorsement. Its origins begin near the start of motorsport, particularly with the trials held that tested the capabilities of early automobiles to tackle uphill gradients. Contestants complete an uphill course individually and against

1702-447: The general rule of participants completing a course individually with the intention of setting the shortest time or highest average speed. This form of motorsport can be recreational or when competitive, rules may vary slightly such as whether to include the total time of several runs, the best time set, or the average pace of multiple courses to classify competitors. Qualifying sessions for circuit races and special stages in rallying take

1748-456: The late 1960s, Giugiaro made increasingly angular designs, culminating in the "folded paper" era of the 1970s. Straight-lined designs such as the BMW M1 , Lotus Esprit S1 , and Maserati Bora followed. He changed again during the early 1990s, introducing a more curvy approach with his Lamborghini Calà , Maserati Spyder , Ferrari GG50 and Grundig Space Fidelity . Giugiaro is widely known for

1794-590: The model name of the AMC S/C Rambler produced in 1969 as a street-legal racer is an abbreviation for "SuperCar". Since the decline of the muscle car in the 1970s, the word supercar has been more broadly internationalized, coming to mean an "exotic" car that has high performance; interpretations of the term are span from limited-production models produced by small manufacturers for performance enthusiasts to (less frequently) standard production cars modified for exceptional performance. The 1990s and 2000s saw

1840-582: The most famous example being the Dakar Rally . In the United States, the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) was founded in 1967 along with the Baja 1000 . Since the 1990s, this race has been organised by SCORE International whilst NORRA's events have closer followed the FIA regulations and standards for cross country rallies, although the association has no affiliation to ACCUS , the US's FIA member. Drifting

1886-494: The next heat or winning the competition. Autocross has multiple general meanings based on country of use. Also known as Autocross in US and Canada and Autoslalom in Continental Europe, these similar disciplines are held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. They involve precise car control, usually but not always against the clock on very short and compact temporary courses. Rather than being

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1932-527: The sports regulated by FIA (under the name of CIK), permitting licensed competition racing for anyone from the age of 8 onward. It is generally accepted as the most economical form of motorsport available on four wheels. As a free-time activity, it can be performed by almost anybody, and as karting circuits can be indoors and not take as much space as other forms of motorsport, it can be accessible to retail consumers without much qualification or training. Non-racing speed competitions have various names but all carry

1978-414: The tubular framed, first-ever production fuel-injection, world's fastest street-legal, 260 km/h (160 mph) 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" as the first hypercar; others the revolutionary, first-ever mid-engined 1967 Lamborghini Miura ; others yet the 1993 McLaren F1 or 2005 Bugatti Veyron . With a recent shift towards electrification , many recent hypercars use a hybrid drivetrain ,

2024-661: Was developed from a scrapped John Bridge Adams light-rail vehicle. These were solid fired steam carriages. This event and the details of the vehicles are recorded in the contemporary press, The Engineer , and in Fletcher's books. The Wisconsin legislature passed an act in 1875 offering a substantial purse for the first US motor race, which was run on July 16, 1878, over a 200-mile course from Green Bay to Appleton, Oshkosh, Waupon, Watertown, Fort Atkinson and Janesville, then turning north and ending in Madison. Only two actually competed:

2070-483: Was the first purpose-built motor racing track in the world. After which, permanent autodromes popularly replaced circuits on public roads. In North America, the term road racing is used to describe racing and courses that have origins in racing on public highways; distinguished from oval racing , which has origins at purpose-built speedways using concrete or wooden boards . Off-road racing can take place on open terrain with no set path, or on circuits that do not have

2116-645: Was the first to involve what would become known as automobiles. On 28 November 1895, the Chicago Times-Herald race , running from Chicago to Evanston and back, a distance of sixty miles, was held. This is believed to be the first motorsport event in the United States of America. In 1900, the Gordon Bennett Cup was established. Motorsport was a demonstration event at the 1900 Summer Olympics . Following World War I , European countries organised Grand Prix races over closed courses. In

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