Often regarded as one of the most stylish models of car, coupes are the perfect
vehicle for those seeking advanced driving pleasure. They radiate class and
performance and their exterior has been designed to look quick, even if
sometimes the engine may not allow it.
So, how would you identify a coupe from other models? Typically, coupes
only have two doors, three if you include the boot. Like a saloon, the boot
is seperate from the car’s interior but only features a small opening.
Their shape is as aerodynamic as they come, with a low and sleek frame.
Imagine a small two-door saloon with a more compact boot and you have a coupe.
There’s a reason why there is such a high demand for these kinds of
vehicles. The characteristically curved lines of the exterior exude
elegance and look striking on the road. Coupes are suitable for both
business and pleasure, although some cars are only fitted with two seats
due to the sloping and overarching of the roof.
It’s important to note that some car manufacturers have categorised coupes
as being purely stylish, powerful and fast. However, this definition has
extended itself to include cars with more doors, an elevated driving
position and different types of boots, which are not characteristics of the
traditional coupe. Some examples of these variations include:
● hatchback coupes, such as the Hyundai i20 Coupe
● four- and five-door coupes, such as the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
● SUV coupes, such as the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.
What does ‘coupe car’ mean?
The term coupe, or coupé, was first associated with horse-drawn carriages
for two passengers with no rear-facing sears. These were known as clipped
carriages, or ‘carosses coupés’, which was gradually shortened to coupé.
The variation of coupé derives from the French ‘couper’, meaning cut,
indicating a vehicle being ‘cut’ to create a smaller version.
These days, a coupe is defined as a car with a roof that slopes at the
rear. Sporty in nature, a coupe usually only has two seats. Some are made
with four, designed in a 2-plus-2 configuration, although these are rare
outside of popular German car manufacturers.
Coupes are generally larger than city cars but smaller than saloons or
sedans. If you’re looking at a vehicle with less than 33 cubic feet of rear
interior volume, you’re probably looking at a coupe. This confined interior
will typically only allow for two doors, hence why coupes are associated
with two-door cars
However, it’s common that several other vehicles have two doors but well
over 33 cubic feet of space in the rear. While some manufacturers continue
to call these cars coupes, they are actually known as two-door sedans, such
as the Mercedes CL-Class and Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Is a coupe a sports car?
There is no distinct line separating a luxury coupe from a luxury sports
car. They are certainly the closest thing to a sports car in terms of the
compressed model, with many people opting for a coupe because of this
likeness. In short, certain coupes can be classed as sports cars, while
others cannot.
Sports cars are designed for race quality performance. They are built to
accelerate to top speeds at incredibly fast rates, as well as having
precise handling and impeccable braking capacity. Sports cars are also
classified by the number of cylinders, horsepower and the make, model,
weight and height of the vehicle. They are typically smaller and lighter
than sedans and are usually coupe-style cars with two-doors. It’s
understandable why many people associate coupes with sports cars,
especially with driving pleasure being the key seller.
What are some examples of coupe sports cars?
- Porsche 718 Cayman Coupe
Especially popular for those seeking driving thrills, this vehicle features
pin-sharp handling and incredible amounts of power. The GTS four-litre
model, which holds a six-cylinder unit engine, is particularly powerful.
- Audi TT Coupe
The perfect all-rounder for sports-coupe motoring, the Audi TT conceals various turbocharged engines which deliver immense power,
especially the 395 brake horsepower (bhp) TT RS, otherwise known as a
junior supercar.
- Toyota Supra Coupe
Apart from being a fixed-roof coupe, the Supra is very similar to the
convertible BMW Z4. Although both use a 335bhp six cylinder engine, the
Supra feels more like a traditional sports car.
- Jaguar F-Type Coupe
Mixing versatility with power, the F-Type can range from entry level
engines right up to the mighty 577bhp five-litre V8-powered SVR. The
two-litre is a popular choice, being lighter, more agile and enhanced
controls.
What is a four-door coupe?
A four-door coupe contains the characteristics of a traditional coupe, with
a sloping rear, lowered roofline and separate boot. The only difference is
that the body is designed with four doors instead of two, although the
compressed structure in some models can reduce backseat headroom. Some
examples of four-door coupes include:
- Mercedes-Benz CLS
- Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
- Audi A5 Sportback.