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Performance sedans first became relevant in the 1930s, with many crediting the Rover 14 and Rover 16 (essentially a Rover 14 with a larger engine) as the first real performance sedans. Sports sedans became more popular with car manufacturers in the 1960s and were simply one-off versions of existing mainstream cars that were designed with performance in mind so that they could be entered into motor races.
However, car manufacturers ran into problems because the modifications they had made to their existing models made the new performance versions ineligible for racing according to the rules at the time. Instead, manufacturers began selling limited numbers of the modified performance sedans to the general public, and thus began the first varieties of performance sedans. While performance sedans traditionally were rear-wheel drive with a manual transmission, today they come with all the drivetrain layouts and transmission types available in other car types.
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A performance sedan – also known as a sports sedan or sports saloon – is a specific subtype of sedan vehicle that has been designed with speed, performance and handling in mind. While storage space, fuel economy and plenty of legroom are the prime characteristics of a family sedan, a performance sedan is foremost designed around sports racing characteristics.
Today, performance sedans combine the versatility and seating of a family sedan with the power and performance of a sports car. Before you think that the extra set of doors that turns a two-door sports car into a four-door performance sedan might slow you down, remember that today's performance sedans are considered some of the fastest and most powerful non-exotic vehicles ever produced.
Performance sedans can differ widely between various makes and models; however, most performance sedans share the following features:
Like any other type of car, performance sedans have their benefits and drawbacks. When considering whether a performance sedan could be the right vehicle for you, consider the following pros and cons.
When comparing different makes and models of performance sedans, consider the following:
Is a performance sedan the right type of car for you? It all comes down to what you're looking for in a vehicle and whether a performance sedan will suit your needs.
Sports sedans exist as an unlikely hybrid between the power and speed of the sports car and the people-carrying capacity of the family sedan. If you have no interest in high-powered driving, a family sedan might be a better option. Similarly, if you love the idea of a performance car but are unlikely to bring more than one other person along for the ride, a sports car could be a better choice for you.
However, if you want all the luxury and opulence associated with a sports car – including extravagant extras like heated seats and the latest in-car entertainment systems – but want the room to bring your family or friends along for the ride, a performance sedan could be a perfect choice, especially since you do not need to compromise on safety or manoeuvrability in order to achieve the luxury of a performance sedan.
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