Car model
Encyclopedia
An automobile model (or car model or model of car, and typically abbreviated to just "model") is a particular brand of vehicle sold under a marque by a manufacturer, usually within a range of models, usually of different sizes or capabilities. From an engineering point of view, a particular car model is usually defined and/or constrained by the use of a particular car chassis
/bodywork
combination or the same monocoque
, although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.
This engineering frame may have derivatives, giving rise to more than one body style for a particular car model. For example, the same model can be offered as a four-door sedan (saloon), a two-door coupé
, a station wagon
(estate), or even as a folding-roof convertible, all derived from essentially the same engineering frame. An example of this is the BMW 3-series.
However, when the same engineering body frame is sold under a different marque or by a partner automaker, it usually becomes, from a commercial point of view, a different car model. See badge engineering
.
hatchback and the Volkswagen Jetta
, which is of "three-box" design with a boot/trunk added to what is essentially a Golf.
Conversely, the marketing department may advertise a car model as a convenient derivative of some popular car, when in fact they may be completely different engineering projects with almost no parts commonality, or from differing generations of the model. (For example, convertibles are often so heavily engineered, for a relatively small number of sales, that an older generation model is facelifted and carried forward with a new generation of the model's other body styles.)
.
A model may be offered in varying trim levels, which denotes different configurations of standard equipment and amenities. For instance, the base trim may have only basic features (wheel covers, cloth seats) compared to the top-of-the-line model (alloy wheels, leather upholstery).
A conventional manual transmission
with a clutch pedal is often considered standard equipment, while automated transmissions (automatic transmission
including manumatic
s, continuous variable transmissions (CVTs), and semi-automatic transmission
s including Dual clutch transmission
s) are usually treated as options. The base engine in, say a midsize car or crossover SUV from a mainstream manufacturer, is usually a four cylinder (inline-4) while the upgrade is a V6. Often, certain features and packages are only available in combination with the more powerful engines in a vehicle lineup.
There are still some standalone options available which may or may not be part of packages, including factory options such as a moonroof or electronic stability control
, and dealer options such as a roof rack and hood deflector. The term "option" is somewhat misleading, as vehicles are often sent from the factory to the dealership having several popular options as de facto-standard equipment. For instance, most stock models of entry-level luxury cars on dealer lots contain leather upholstery and a moonroof, as the base vehicle without these amenities (known as a "stripper") is usually available only by special order from the factory (frequently for fleet use such as for taxicabs). Companies and dealerships follow this practice since considering these features as options is more lucrative than raising the price of the model and including these as "standard" equipment.
It is common for any specific car model to carry additional badges or lettering to announce its trim level. For example, the Toyota Camry
's trim levels: Camry CE (Classic Edition), Camry LE (Luxury Edition), and Camry XLE (Extra Luxury Edition). Other manufacturers prefer names rather than alphanueric initials for trim levels; the Renault Scénic
range includes entry-level trim badged Renault Scénic Authentique, the next model up badged Renault Scénic Expression, then Renault Scénic Dynamique and finally the luxury Renault Scénic Privilège. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
's trim levels from Evolution I to Evolution X include: RS for Rally Sport; GSR for Grand Sport Rally; SE for Special Edition; MR for Mitsubishi Racing and GT-A for Grand Touring- Automatic (note: GT-A for Evolution VII only; SE for Evolution IX only and; MR for Evolution VIII-present). Often the top-of-the-line engine in the lineup features exclusive badging (V12 badges feature on the 2010 BMW 760Li), while certain manufacturers have often given the option to customers to remove the badging from the vehicle.
The highest trim level is sometimes seen as slightly removed from the rest of the range. For instance the BMW M
high-performance variant is often marketed separately from the regular lineup. Ford traditionally have a Ghia luxury model above those which simply use initials, whilst Rover
used the name of a former coachbuilder, Vanden Plas
. There may also be a high-performance version such as a GT
.
Offering an array of body styles, mechanical specifications and trim levels allow manufacturers to target the same car model to different market niches. For example, an inexpensive base trim three-door hatchback is targeted at motorists on a budget such as students, while the mid-range sedan with the comfort package may suit the needs of a middle-aged family, and the expensive high-performance variant may catch the eye of the sportier-minded auto enthusiast, all of the three variants sharing the same nameplate with a common platform and engineering. An example of this is the Ford Focus.
Often in the later model years of a particular generation of vehicle, there have been "special editions" to cut down on the number of options as production winds down, such as the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde Edition and the 2011 BMW 323i Luxury Edition.
s, all cars from a particular model year sharing approximately the same characteristics (given the same trim level, body style, engine option, etc.) but sometimes with differences from others of a different model year.
In this context, a facelift (also known as a mid-generational refresh or minor model update) may be used to update an aging car model, usually exterior or interior cosmetic changes and sometimes powertrain changes, without a major platform engineering revision which would have been a costly investment for the automaker. This results in a so-called "second series" of that particular model, and sometimes becoming the opportunity for a marketing re-launch of the same car.
Many times a manufacturer decides to completely redesign the car, but with the aim of offering the new model to the same specific public or in the same market niche, keeping it similarly priced and marketed against its usual competitors from other manufacturers. The car is usually considered a different model by the engineering department, carrying a different model designator, but, for marketing reasons, it is offered to the consumers with the same old, traditional, familiar name. An example of this is the Chevrolet Corvette
.
Total production run for a given car is usually calculated regarding the engineering project name or designator. The marketing department may advertise figures for a continuous-production tradename instead, divided in so-called "generations". However, for government or sport regulatory purposes, each body-style/mechanical-configuration combination may be counted as a different model.
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
/bodywork
Coachwork
Coachwork is the body of a horse-drawn coach or carriage, a motor vehicle , a railroad car or railway carriage. Usually reserved for bodies built on a separate chassis, rather than being of unitary or monocoque construction...
combination or the same monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
, although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.
This engineering frame may have derivatives, giving rise to more than one body style for a particular car model. For example, the same model can be offered as a four-door sedan (saloon), a two-door coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
, a station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
(estate), or even as a folding-roof convertible, all derived from essentially the same engineering frame. An example of this is the BMW 3-series.
Mechanical internals
The same car model can be offered with different mechanical internals, such as a choice of several engine sizes, automatic or manual transmissions, different suspension, braking or steering systems, etc.; all of these options considered fairly interchangeable on that specific body frame. It is common for any specific car model to carry additional badges or letterings to announce the mechanical option(s) incorporated on it.However, when the same engineering body frame is sold under a different marque or by a partner automaker, it usually becomes, from a commercial point of view, a different car model. See badge engineering
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
.
Marketing
Sometimes the marketing department may give each body style variant its own trade name, creating as many car models as body variants, even though they may share a large parts commonality and the engineering department may continue to consider them all part of the same project. An example of this is the Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is a small family car manufactured by Volkswagen since 1974 and marketed worldwide across six generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada , and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico .The...
hatchback and the Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Although the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
, which is of "three-box" design with a boot/trunk added to what is essentially a Golf.
Conversely, the marketing department may advertise a car model as a convenient derivative of some popular car, when in fact they may be completely different engineering projects with almost no parts commonality, or from differing generations of the model. (For example, convertibles are often so heavily engineered, for a relatively small number of sales, that an older generation model is facelifted and carried forward with a new generation of the model's other body styles.)
Regional variations
The same car model may be sold by the automaker in different countries under different names. An example of this is the Mitsubishi Pajero / MonteroMitsubishi Pajero
The Mitsubishi Pajero is a sport utility vehicle manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. It was named after Leopardus pajeros, the Pampas Cat which is native to the Patagonia plateau region of southern Argentina. However, since pajero is an offensive term for "wanker" in Spanish, alternative names have...
.
Trim levels
Previously, automakers (especially American) had offered lots of options to give customers much flexibility, however this has largely been discarded in favor of trim levels (also known as grades and sometimes as option packages), which offers manufacturing and marketing simplicity.A model may be offered in varying trim levels, which denotes different configurations of standard equipment and amenities. For instance, the base trim may have only basic features (wheel covers, cloth seats) compared to the top-of-the-line model (alloy wheels, leather upholstery).
A conventional manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with a clutch pedal is often considered standard equipment, while automated transmissions (automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
including manumatic
Manumatic
Manumatic is a portmanteau of the words manual and automatic, that applies to a class of automotive transmissions.Manumatic refers to an automatic transmission that allows convenient driver control of gear selection. This type of transmission was introduced in the 1990s...
s, continuous variable transmissions (CVTs), and semi-automatic transmission
Semi-automatic transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is an automobile transmission that does not change gears automatically, but rather facilitates manual gear changes by dispensing with the need to press...
s including Dual clutch transmission
Dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission, commonly abbreviated to DCT , is a differing type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It utilises two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets...
s) are usually treated as options. The base engine in, say a midsize car or crossover SUV from a mainstream manufacturer, is usually a four cylinder (inline-4) while the upgrade is a V6. Often, certain features and packages are only available in combination with the more powerful engines in a vehicle lineup.
There are still some standalone options available which may or may not be part of packages, including factory options such as a moonroof or electronic stability control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
, and dealer options such as a roof rack and hood deflector. The term "option" is somewhat misleading, as vehicles are often sent from the factory to the dealership having several popular options as de facto-standard equipment. For instance, most stock models of entry-level luxury cars on dealer lots contain leather upholstery and a moonroof, as the base vehicle without these amenities (known as a "stripper") is usually available only by special order from the factory (frequently for fleet use such as for taxicabs). Companies and dealerships follow this practice since considering these features as options is more lucrative than raising the price of the model and including these as "standard" equipment.
It is common for any specific car model to carry additional badges or lettering to announce its trim level. For example, the Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
's trim levels: Camry CE (Classic Edition), Camry LE (Luxury Edition), and Camry XLE (Extra Luxury Edition). Other manufacturers prefer names rather than alphanueric initials for trim levels; the Renault Scénic
Renault Scénic
The Renault Scénic is a compact MPV produced by French automaker Renault, the first to be labelled as such in Europe. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane small family car. It became 1997 European Car of the Year on its launch in late 1996...
range includes entry-level trim badged Renault Scénic Authentique, the next model up badged Renault Scénic Expression, then Renault Scénic Dynamique and finally the luxury Renault Scénic Privilège. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Lancer Evo or Evo, is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral...
's trim levels from Evolution I to Evolution X include: RS for Rally Sport; GSR for Grand Sport Rally; SE for Special Edition; MR for Mitsubishi Racing and GT-A for Grand Touring- Automatic (note: GT-A for Evolution VII only; SE for Evolution IX only and; MR for Evolution VIII-present). Often the top-of-the-line engine in the lineup features exclusive badging (V12 badges feature on the 2010 BMW 760Li), while certain manufacturers have often given the option to customers to remove the badging from the vehicle.
The highest trim level is sometimes seen as slightly removed from the rest of the range. For instance the BMW M
BMW M
BMW M GmbH is a subsidiary of German car manufacturer BMW AG.BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just "M" was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s...
high-performance variant is often marketed separately from the regular lineup. Ford traditionally have a Ghia luxury model above those which simply use initials, whilst Rover
Rover (car)
The Rover Company is a former British car manufacturing company founded as Starley & Sutton Co. of Coventry in 1878. After developing the template for the modern bicycle with its Rover Safety Bicycle of 1885, the company moved into the automotive industry...
used the name of a former coachbuilder, Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas is the name of a company of coachbuilders who produced bodies for specialist and up-market automobile manufacturers. Latterly the name became a top-end luxury model designation for cars from various subsidiaries of British Leyland and the Rover Group.-Belgium:It originated in Belgium in...
. There may also be a high-performance version such as a GT
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
.
Offering an array of body styles, mechanical specifications and trim levels allow manufacturers to target the same car model to different market niches. For example, an inexpensive base trim three-door hatchback is targeted at motorists on a budget such as students, while the mid-range sedan with the comfort package may suit the needs of a middle-aged family, and the expensive high-performance variant may catch the eye of the sportier-minded auto enthusiast, all of the three variants sharing the same nameplate with a common platform and engineering. An example of this is the Ford Focus.
Often in the later model years of a particular generation of vehicle, there have been "special editions" to cut down on the number of options as production winds down, such as the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde Edition and the 2011 BMW 323i Luxury Edition.
Model years
A car model may be further subdivided into model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
s, all cars from a particular model year sharing approximately the same characteristics (given the same trim level, body style, engine option, etc.) but sometimes with differences from others of a different model year.
In this context, a facelift (also known as a mid-generational refresh or minor model update) may be used to update an aging car model, usually exterior or interior cosmetic changes and sometimes powertrain changes, without a major platform engineering revision which would have been a costly investment for the automaker. This results in a so-called "second series" of that particular model, and sometimes becoming the opportunity for a marketing re-launch of the same car.
Many times a manufacturer decides to completely redesign the car, but with the aim of offering the new model to the same specific public or in the same market niche, keeping it similarly priced and marketed against its usual competitors from other manufacturers. The car is usually considered a different model by the engineering department, carrying a different model designator, but, for marketing reasons, it is offered to the consumers with the same old, traditional, familiar name. An example of this is the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
.
Total production run for a given car is usually calculated regarding the engineering project name or designator. The marketing department may advertise figures for a continuous-production tradename instead, divided in so-called "generations". However, for government or sport regulatory purposes, each body-style/mechanical-configuration combination may be counted as a different model.
See also
- AutomakerAutomakerThe automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
- Facelift (automobile)Facelift (automobile)The automotive facelift comprises changes to a car's styling during its production run — often including new sheetmetal and/or interior design) with minimal changes to its underlying mechanicals — allowing a carmaker to freshen a model without complete redesign.A facelift retains the...
- Marque
- Automotive packageAutomotive packageAn automotive package is a set of optional automobile features that are included in a bundle that is installed at the factory ....
- Restyling
- Model yearModel yearThe model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
- Badge engineeringBadge engineeringBadge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...