Supercar – most often understood as a “supersport car”. A conditionally distinguished subclass (upper segment) of a wider class of sports cars. It is distinguished among other sports cars by exclusive equipment, dynamic characteristics and price. Motor power is measured in hundreds of horsepower, top speed – from 300 km / h and above (the so-called “Club 330”) and the corresponding price, measured in hundreds of thousands of euros or dollars.

The term “supercar” appeared in the 20s of the last century and consolidated in the 60s and 80s, due to the convergence of the market of standard passenger cars and professional racing models. In the 80’s and 90’s, the most famous in the sports car market were production cars from Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari and Lamborghini, the most powerful models of which had a speed threshold of 320-330 km/h. In the 2000s, due to increased marketing demand, there was a leap: a generation of new firms aiming to create their own car, having an “individual face” and far exceeding the established stereotype of the maximum speed.

The time frame of the actual title “super-car” is fluid, as the lineup is constantly being updated and more expensive and faster models appear over time. However, the most outstanding cars remain in the history of automotive engineering, replenish private collections, museums and, as a rule, over time, do not lose in value. The consumer market tends to expand, as owning such a car is a status symbol. The term “supercar” has the greatest circulation in the automobile press.

Characteristics
Supercars are legally factory-made road sports cars, which distinguishes them from private modified cars. They are produced, usually in small batches, by companies specializing in the production of sports and racing cars; or small firms created to produce one or two of their own hand-built models.

Often such a car is developed not only for amateurs. Many supercar models are run in professional races of the 24-hour series (e.g., 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona) or various GT series races. Supercars from big car companies are sometimes replications (modifications) of their own pure racing models, such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR or Jaguar XJR-15, or are the result of expensive, high-end and exclusive tuning of popular models.

Usually such cars have a center-engine layout, with the engine located behind the seats but within the wheelbase. This improves the weight distribution of the car (ideally 50/50%) and contributes to a fuller realization of traction. As a rule, have rear-wheel drive, in order to lighten the transmission. As a result, the car has good handling and dynamics. Not so long ago, certain companies began to build all-wheel-drive cars using new technologies to more fully realize the potential of the engine (for example, the Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo).