sports car

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

A sports car is a low, small, two-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving. While definitions can vary, sports cars are generally not designed like Formula One racing machines, which are single-seat vehicles. Instead, sports cars are typically two-seaters, sometimes four-seaters, and are series-produced rather than handmade.12

Although not exclusively built for racing, sports cars are capable machines often entered into competitions. Some manufacturers, like Ferrari and Lotus, produce both Formula One cars and sports cars. The development of sports cars for racing, particularly in endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has led to some prototype sports cars with power and speed potentials similar to Formula One machines.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

sports-car racing
…utterly functional equipment throughout, the sports car is usually a two-seater, sometimes a four-seater, characterized by its nimble abilities (if not speed and power) together with general suitability for high-speed touring on ordinary roads. Unlike a Grand Prix car, it is usually series-produced, seldom handmade. Some manufacturers of Grand Prix…
Read More
…utterly functional equipment throughout, the sports car is usually a two-seater, sometimes a four-seater, characterized by its nimble abilities (if not speed and power) together with general suitability for high-speed touring on ordinary roads. Unlike a Grand Prix car, it is usually series-produced, seldom handmade. Some manufacturers of Grand Prix…
Read More

automobile
European postwar designs
The sports car, designed for pleasure, was particularly new to young Americans. The characteristics of automobiles such as the British two-seater MG, plus their availability at a time of short domestic supply, made them attractive, and the importation of European-made models into the United States increased…
Read More
The sports car, designed for pleasure, was particularly new to young Americans. The characteristics of automobiles such as the British two-seater MG, plus their availability at a time of short domestic supply, made them attractive, and the importation of European-made models into the United States increased…
Read More