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As the vehicle world evolves, it’s difficult to keep up with what’s cool and what’s not. Various car designs come into style and eventually fade out, but one that has managed to stand the test of time is the coupé. Whenever there’s a conversation about stylish cars, people will often bring up the coupe. So what is a coupe and what makes this car so special?
Coupes are sleek cars known for their sporty design and appeal. These vehicles are popular hires and among motorists who enjoy turning up in style. Join us in this article as we explore the history and features of this unique car type.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Coupe?
A coupe is a two-door car with a hard roof and a sloping rear. These vehicles are known for their limited practicality in favour of appeal and performance. They’re designed for people who like sporty cars but don’t need lots of space.
The Society of Automotive Engineers classifies a coupe as a car with an interior space of less than 33 cubic feet.
Although you may find some cheap coupes, these vehicles usually tend to be supercars with high purchase prices. In fact, coupes tend to be more expensive than hatchbacks and saloons of similar levels. Cars like the Lamborghini Huracan, BMW 2 Series and Audi TT are the ultimate examples of coupes.
See here how the coupe differs from a convertible, another sleek car.
Key Characteristics Of A Coupe Car
Most cars tend to evolve constantly, so it’s often hard to keep up with their key characteristics. The same applies to a coupe, but certain defining features have remained the same over the years.
- Coupes generally have two doors, with the exception of a few models with four doors.
- They have closed, sloping roofs.
- Coupes have a three-box body, comprising an engine, passenger space and a small cargo compartment.
- Their bodies are generally built closer to the ground and they appear sporty.
- Coupes have smooth lines that run from the roof to the rear of the car.
History Of Style & Performance: Evolution Of Coupes
The history of the coupe goes way back to the 18th century. Back then, the word ‘coupe’ referred to horse-drawn carriages, which were one of the primary forms of transportation. There was a version of the horse carriage with two front seats and no rear seats. This body design was the origin of the coupe.
The first mass-produced coupe was by Ford Motor Company in 1932.
Inspired by the design of the carriages, two-door cars called ‘Berline Coupes’ were introduced in the early 1900s. Over time, the name was shortened to just Coupe. The use of coupes was popular among women and salespeople who travelled alone for long periods. Coupes eventually distinguished themselves from sedans in the 1940s and 1950s with the introduction of lower rooflines and a sportier look.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Traditional Coupe
Like all car body styles, a coupe has its good and bad sides, which you must pay attention to if you’d like to know what to expect from this vehicle.
Advantages
- Stylish: Coupes often have sleek looks and sporty designs, which make them very appealing.
- Superb handling: The handling of a coupe and its cornering performance are second to none. With their bodies built close to the ground, they’re usually easy to turn at higher speeds.
- Speed: The smaller and lighter design of these sports cars makes them very quick.
- Economical: Coupes are cheaper to run. They consume less fuel than large cars because of their lightweight.
- Great for city driving: Coupes are made for city roads. Being smaller than sedans and most other cars, they’re easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces. This is also great because you don’t have to stress before finding parking.
Disadvantages
- Pricey: Coupes are very expensive when compared to their saloon car counterparts.
- Limited interior space: You should skip the coupe if you like your cars with plenty of interior space. Coupes have limited space for both passengers and cargo. In fact, some don’t even have a back seat.
- Restricted view: The sloping roofline and smaller windows can make it more difficult to see when driving a coupe.
Types Of Coupes
As the coupe design continues to evolve, different variations of the car have come to life, each with a slight deviation from the original coupe design.
Hatchback Coupe
As the name indicates, a hatchback coupe combines the design and features of a hatchback with those of a coupe. These cars have an almost vertical boot lid in the back, which opens up the entire rear of the car.
Hatchback coupes often feature fold-down back seats.
Hatchback coupes are classified as three-door vehicles, with two doors on the side and one rear door. The Vauxhall GT coupe and Volkswagen Scirocco coupe are great examples of hatchback coupes.
Learn everything about the differences between a coupe and a hatchback.
Four-Door Coupes (And Five-Doors?)
Four or five-door coupes are slightly larger than traditional models. They are closely related to saloons but don’t quite fit the bill despite having four doors because they have a more curved design and an agile feel around the corners.
The Mercedes CLS was the first four-door coupe, but since then, other manufacturers have followed suit, including BMW with the 4 Series Gran Coupe. There are also the Audi A5 Sportback and A7 Sportback cars, which are sportbacks that some people also include in the coupe category.
Read our saloon vs coupe article to learn how the two car types compare.
SUV Coupe
SUV coupes combine the sporty driving feel and curved styling of a traditional coupe with the high driving position and rugged build of an SUV. They also have four side doors. These vehicles have grown in popularity since the introduction of the first one – the BMW X6. Mercedes also has coupe versions of its GLC and GLE vehicles.
Some coupes have rear seats, while others accommodate only two passengers.
Popularity Of Coupes & Future Trends
Coupes are preferred by drivers who want a sports car with aggressive styling. However, over the years, the popularity of traditional coupes has also been affected by the introduction of compact SUVs and crossovers due to the practicality and versatility of these vehicles.
Coupes, roadsters and other sports cars continue to attract interest from car enthusiasts who value performance and style over practicality, but they remain behind saloons and SUVs in terms of popularity.
Check out our comprehensive blog post on the different car body types.
Is A Coupe The Right Choice For Your Next Hire?
A coupe is the right choice for your next hire if you want performance and sporty driving while giving little regard to practicality. You can hire this car if you have little need for passenger and cargo space.
Coupes open you up to a world of spirited driving. They’re great for cities with narrow roads because their smaller size makes them easier to manoeuvre and park. A coupe might also be the right pick for you if you value aesthetics and want a car that turns heads when you attend events.
Hire from SDVH’s premium car fleet for superior performance and a luxurious driving experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes A Car A Coupe?
The body style (sporty look, two doors and three-box body design) makes a car a coupe. Coupes are characterised by their closed and sloping roofs. Th three-box design comprises the engine, passenger space and a small cargo compartment. Their sporty appearance makes them appealing, but they offer limited practicality. Although coupes traditionally have two doors, there are now three, four and even five-door models.
What Does Coupé Mean?
Coupé means ‘to cut’. It is a French word that describes cars that are shorter than other standard vehicles. The terms coupé and ‘coupe’ have the same meaning, with the first one being the most appropriate one while the other serving in everyday speech. Early versions of the coupe were inspired by a horse-drawn carriage of the same name in the 18th century.
Are Coupes Considered More Luxurious Than Other Car Types?
No, coupes are not considered more luxurious than other car types per se. The level of luxury a car offers depends on its manufacturer and quality, so you can find luxurious features in any car body style. However, this car type is among the most popular luxury ones as many manufacturers, such as Audi, Bentley, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, produce coupe luxury cars.
Do Coupes Have Different Handling And Performance Characteristics?
Yes, coupes have different handling and performance characteristics. They generally have a lower centre of gravity, which contributes to better handling and performance. Many coupes, particularly sports car models, often have very powerful engines that provide better acceleration and higher top speeds. Additionally, their lightweight and compact design enhances their agility on the road.
Are There Different Subcategories Or Variations Of Coupes?
Yes, there are different subcategories or variations of coupes. There are hatchback coupes, which combine the coupe body style with the design of a hatchback. You can also get SUV or four-door coupes. SUV coupes combine the sporty feel and styling of a coupe with the rugged build of an SUV, while four-door coupes are large models designed like a saloon car.
Conclusion
So what is a coupe car? A coupe is a special, stylish vehicle made for people who prioritise style and performance over practicality. Originally designed as a compact car with two doors and space for two passengers, this car type has evolved over the years to include models with more doors. So, if you’re looking to hire a car to make heads turn at an upcoming event, this is your best bet.
