Cosmopolitan And Very Classy Coupe Cars Over The Years

Cosmopolitan and very classy coupe cars over the years

by

Eileen Fowler

Go out for a spin in your car on a Sunday afternoon and the chances are you ll see more than just a handful of coupe models; it s fair to say that they re very popular amongst motorists in the current era. Current offerings such as the BMW 1 Series Coupe, Peugeot s RCZ Coupe and the Honda CR Z Coupe not only look fantastic, but they re also very practical making them ideal for a small family unit of three or four (two adults and one or two children).

Don t be mistaken though, coupe models aren t a recent development. Dating back to the late 1800s, the very first coupes didn t operate mechanically at all; they were actually horse-drawn carriages featuring four wheels and just the one seat. Positioned behind the driver, this rear facing seat accommodated just two people one feature still commonly seen in the back seats of some of today s coupes.

In most coupes a piece of fixed glass could be found in front of the main passenger compartment; whist a specially-designed curved dashboard ensured that the driver was protected against debris flying up off the road. Some, known as landaus, had a folding top.

Following the development of cars with ICEs (internal combustion engines) the Society of Automobile Engineers chose to define the coupe, as a car that was enclosed, featuring usually two or three seats. Related models, such as the convertible a car featuring a fully removable roof and the coupelet a cross between a coupe and a cabriolet were also produced.

However, since the 60s the term has been attributed mainly by manufacturers to those models that have a fixed-head i.e. they don t feature convertible roofs. The lines though have often been blurred with some vehicles that are technically sedans being classed as coupes and vice versa as evidenced by the luxurious Mercedes-Benz CL-Class model.

Whilst coupes during the 70s and 80s looked quite uniform, those currently available from dealerships boast far more intricate design features. Launched in 2002, the Renault Megane II is a prime example of this. It became iconic thanks to the shape of its instantly-recognisable boot and some clever marketing.

Meanwhile, newer models have also tried to incorporate memorable design features. Based on a concept car, Peugeot s RCZ has a real sense of fun about it. Its playful double-bubble-shaped roof is wonderfully unique, whilst the car itself is curvy and very svelte.

Many manufacturers have also created their own varieties. For example, club coupes feature a bigger rear seat; business coupes have no rear seats designed to provide extra storage space for travelling businesspeople; whilst quad coupes are those that feature bi-parting front and back doors however, they re something of a rarity.

There hasn t ever been a better time to go out and buy a coupe purely because of the sheer amount of choice available. Hybrid and fuel efficient variations can also be found in significant amount. Offering an efficient, yet comfortable driving experience, coupes are just great regardless of whether you re looking for a reliable runner for the school commute or a car to drive across the country on a regular basis in.

Originally designed as a horse-drawn carriage back in the late 1800s, the

coupe

has evolved significantly since then. This article looks at some of the most iconic coupes.

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ArticleRich.com