Sports cars form quite a large family. This type of transport is especially popular with young people, because it better suits their temperament. In a sports car a person can fully demonstrate their driving abilities, enjoy fast cornering and fast acceleration of their four-wheeled friend. The demand for such cars is constantly growing; especially for cars with sporty body contours.

The top speed of sports cars can exceed 300 km/h, which is rarely possible on public roads. Fast sports cars in the hands of inexperienced drivers pose a serious danger to others, and in many countries it is legally required to have a special driver’s license to drive cars at speeds in excess of 160 km/h. In many countries the maximum speed on freeways is severely restricted and the owner of a sports car can only show its full potential on a winding auxiliary road. Nevertheless, this type of vehicle exists and this fact cannot be ignored.

The model for the development of sports cars is racing cars, and very often the manufacturers of racing cars are at the same time suppliers of sports cars. The design of these cars is designed to provide high top speeds and the most optimal driving qualities. The low drag surface is achieved primarily by reducing the height of the car, which rarely exceeds 1 m, and even then only slightly. That is why the driver sits in such car almost horizontally, i.e. half-lying position.

In order to be able to drive the car through corners at high speed, the moment of inertia of the car relative to the vertical axis must be minimal, which requires the main masses to be concentrated closer to the car’s center of gravity. For this purpose, the engine is often located in front of the rear axle. Since sports cars usually have two, maximum – four seats (2+2) (two adults plus two part-time seats for children – note), there is almost no risk of the engine entering the space between the front and rear axle during an accident. For the best traction characteristics of the car, the rear-wheel drive scheme is used.

Some sports cars successfully use units and components of serial passenger cars with front-wheel drive, but with the engine located at the back. Very often, sports cars are fitted with mass-produced boosted engines. This is more cost effective, especially for small companies. The factories that specialize in the production of sports cars, it gives a tangible profit. In addition, this practice is followed by the automotive service in the world.

In recent times, Ford engines are very often used for sports and racing cars. The best recommendation for these power units are the numerous victories of the cars on which they are installed, in a variety of sports competitions. Engines designed for sports cars undergo quite a bit of modification. An example is the engine with two camshafts and four valves in each cylinder by designer Keith Duckworth.

The powertrain was designed by designer Keith Duckworth,
with a four-valve timing system and two
camshafts in the cylinder head;
1.6 liter displacement, 6,000 rpm, 122 hp.

The cylinder block of the Cortina automobile was taken as the basis, and a new head was installed to simplify the drive of both camshafts in the head by means of a timing belt. The engine has a displacement of 1.61 liters; it develops 90 kW (122 hp) (SAE) at 6,000 rpm.

The result of cooperation between Porsche and Volkswagen plants is a jointly developed sports car. It has all the features of a sports car.