{{Globalize|date=March 2019}} {{About|road-going passenger vehicles|the Australian motor racing category|Australian Sports Sedan Championship}} {{Short description|Subjective term for a sedan car that is designed to have sporting performance}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{EngvarA|date=April 2021}}
[[File:HSV GTS-R (44424310784) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|HSV GTS-R]]
A '''sports sedan''' (also known as a '''super saloon''' or '''sports saloon''' in British English)<ref>{{cite web|authorlink=Oxford English Dictionary |title=saloon (noun)|url= https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/saloon?q=Saloon |work=Oxford Learner's Dictionaries |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=saloon|url= https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/saloon |work=Cambridge Dictionary |language=en-GB |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> is a subjective term for a sedan car that is designed to have sporting performance or handling characteristics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best sport sedans in America |url= https://www.autoblog.com/photos/nine-great-sport-sedans-0/ |work=Autoblog |access-date=28 March 2021 |date=1 February 2017 |quote='Sport sedan' doesn't have a strict dictionary definition, but we have assembled here our favorite cars with four proper doors and a trunk, not a hatchback.}}</ref>
== History == thumb|right|Triumph Dolomite Sprint
The term was initially introduced in the 1930s. Early examples include the Sports Saloon versions of the Rover 14<ref>{{cite web|title=Rover Speed 14|url= http://www.classicandsportscar.com/guides/classic-cars-a-to-z/rover-speed-14 |website=classicandsportscar.com |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1936 Rover 14 Sports Saloon P2 - Superb, Restored cond. For Sale |url= https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C196122 |website=carandclassic.co.uk |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref> and Rover 16.<ref>{{cite web|title=1947 Rover Sixteen Sports Saloon |url= https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20930/lot/416/ |website=bonhams.com |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1938 Rover P2 16 Sports Saloon|url= http://www.classicandsportscar.ltd.uk/Rover-P2-16-Sports-Saloon/classic-cars-sold/20460 |website=classicandsportscar.ltd.uk |access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
From the 1960s, the term ''sports sedan'' was increasingly applied by manufacturers to special versions of their vehicles that allowed them to enter production cars in motor races. These cars contained modifications not usually permitted by the regulations, which therefore required cars to be homologated typically by selling them in minimum numbers to the public. Some of the earlier examples were the Alfa Romeo 1900,<ref>{{cite web |title=1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint |url= https://www.sportscarmarket.com/columns/archives/alfa-romeo/1954-alfa-romeo-1900-super-sprint |work=Sports Car Market |date=1 November 2003 |access-date=28 March 2021 }}</ref> Renault R8 Gordini,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Heseltine |first1=Richard |title=Renault R8 Gordini |url= https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-2008/122/renault-r8-gordinithe-glory-of-the-moment-was-muted-by-the-need-to-rig-proceedings-unofficially-mind-nothing-too-blatant-over-a-balmy-weekend-in-july-1970-at-castellet-paul-ricard-renau |magazine=Motor Sport Magazine |pages=122–126 |date=September 2008 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> Triumph Dolomite,<ref name="Kitman">{{cite web |last1=Kitman |first1=Jamie Lincoln |title=The 20 Best Sports Sedans of All Time |url= https://www.gq.com/gallery/jamie-lincoln-kitman-best-sports-sedans |work=GQ |access-date=28 March 2021 |date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Lotus Cortina,<ref name="Kitman"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=McCourt |first1=Mark J. |title=1966 Ford Lotus-Cortina Mk I - Before BMW's 2002 popularized the genre, Ford imported the original sports sedan |magazine=Hemmings Motor News |date=May 2016 |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1966-ford-lotus-cortina-mk-i |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> and BMW 1800 TI.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1965-bmw-1800-ti-suddeutsche-zeitgeist/ |title=Curbside Classic: 1965 BMW 1800 TI – Süddeutsche Zeitgeist |date=20 May 2024 |website=curbsideclassic.com |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>
By the 1980s, the sports sedan was described by ''Popular Mechanics'' magazine as being "well-made five-passenger cars that are modest in size, appearance, and appetite for fuel, yet can outperform all but the fastest two-seater cars".<ref name="PM-85-imports">{{cite magazine| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOQDAAAAMBAJ&dq=The+Sports+sedans&pg=PA92 |title='85 Imports - The Sports Sedans |pages=92-94, 144, 146 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=March 1985 |volume=162 |issue=3 |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref> Invented in Europe, the U.S. market share of these types of models had grown from 50,000 units per year in 1975, to 500,000 in 1985.<ref name="PM-85-imports"/>
== Characteristics ==
In the twentieth century, most sports sedans used manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive configurations. However, with other transmission types and drivetrain layouts have become more widespread for sedans in general, and increasing adoption of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in motorsports such as touring car racing and World Rally Championship, many sports sedans such as Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have also used these. While many sports sedans use notchback designs as their default body configurations, fastback and liftback variations are not unheard of, with some smaller hot hatches with three-box or liftback designs crossing into this territory. Some manufacturers share similar engines and interior features as sports sedans in coupe and convertible body styles; therefore, some rankings of this market segment include those versions.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sedans/performance |title=Best Sports Sedans 2024-2025 |work=Car and Driver |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>
== North American usage == thumb|right|2016 Cadillac CTS-V
The term "sport sedan" was initially used in North America for luxury import sedans (i.e., BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz). These cars prioritized handling more than the domestic luxury sedans (i.e., Cadillac and Lincoln), which were more focused on comfort. However, since the 2000s, the domestic brands have begun producing sports sedan models such as the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln LS.<ref>{{cite web|title=2004 Lincoln LS review|url= https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2004-Lincoln-LS/ |website=autoblog.com|access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2017 Cadillac CTS V-Sport: Continuously Chasing The World's Best Sport Sedans|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelharley/2016/09/21/2017-cadillac-cts-v-sport-continuously-chasing-the-worlds-best-sport-sedans/#3f22bf4e4fcf |website=forbes.com |access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2018 Cadillac CTS|url= https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-cadillac-cts-in-depth-model-review |website=caranddriver.com |access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref>
Another term sometimes used to describe sports sedans in the US is muscle car; however, more typically, the latter term refers to V8-powered two-door coupes made by American manufacturers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mueller |first1=Mike |title=Motor City muscle |page=13 |date=1997 |publisher=Motorbooks International |isbn=9780760301968}}</ref>
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== Examples == {{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (2017)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grasso |first1=Marc D. |title=A movable feast: Alfa Romeo's Giulia sport sedan |url= https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/11/08/alfa-romeos-giulia-one-primo-sport-sedan/ |newspaper=Boston Herald |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Scott |title=2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Q4 Ti Sport AWD First Test Review: Yep, Even Better |url= https://www.motortrend.com/cars/alfa-romeo/giulia/2020/2020-alfa-romeo-giulia-q4-first-test-review/ |work=Motor Trend |access-date=28 March 2021 |date=5 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=James |title=2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport review |url= https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2021-alfa-romeo-giulia-sport-review |work=CarExpert |location=Australia |date=December 2020 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> * Audi RS 4<ref>{{cite web|work=Car and Driver |date=September 2005 |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15389950/rocket-sedans/|title=2006 Euro Sport Sedan Showdown|access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref> * BMW M5<ref name=Autocar2014>{{cite web|title=Battle of the super-saloons: BMW M5 vs. Vauxhall VXR8|url= http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/battle-super-saloons-bmw-m5-vs-vauxhall-vxr8 |work=Autocar|access-date=31 August 2014|date=25 April 2014}}</ref> * Cadillac CTS-V<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gall |first1=Jared |title=2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport |url= https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15105752/2014-cadillac-cts-vsport-long-term-wrap-up-review/ |work=Car and Driver |date=27 April 2015 |quote=is a sports sedan of singular focus |access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Mack |title=Review: Cadillac's $100,000 2019 CTS-V sports sedan gives BMW, Mercedes a run for their money |url= https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/10/review-cadillacs-100000-2019-cts-v-sports-sedan-gives-bmw-mercedes-a-run-for-their-money.html |work=CNBC |date=12 May 2019 |access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref> * Chrysler 300M<ref>{{cite web |last1=Krebs |first1=Michelle |title=1999 Chrysler 300M First Test |url= https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1999-chrysler-300m-first-test/ |work=Motor Trend |date=2 June 1998 |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2001 Chrysler 300M Review & Ratings |url= https://www.edmunds.com/chrysler/300m/2001/review/ |work=Edmunds |access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> * Dodge Charger SRT8<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kreindler |first1=Derek |title=Capsule Comparison: 2015 Dodge Charger SRT 392 Vs. 2014 Chevrolet SS |url= https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/12/capsule-comparison-2015-dodge-charger-srt-392-vs-2014-chevrolet-ss-2/ |work=The Truth About Cars |date=22 December 2014 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Capparella |first1=Joey |title=2019 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack vs. 2019 Kia Stinger GT: Which Sports Sedan Packs a Bigger Punch? |url= https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a29443449/2019-dodge-charger-vs-2019-kia-stinger/ |work=Car and Driver |date=14 October 2019 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Veron |first1=Max |title=Here Are The 10 Best Sports Sedans Of 2020 |url= https://www.hotcars.com/best-sports-sedans-2020/ |work=HotCars |date=5 December 2020 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> * Ford Taurus SHO<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wendler |first1=Andrew |title=SHO 'Nuff: A Visual History of Ford's Iconic Taurus SHO Supersedan |url= https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g15383880/sho-nuff-a-visual-history-of-fords-iconic-taurus-sho-supersedan/ |work=Car and Driver |access-date=22 February 2024 |date=20 November 2014}}</ref> * Jaguar XJ<ref name=AE2014>{{cite web|title=Mercedes S63 AMG vs Jaguar XJR: super-saloon battle|url= http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/s-class/85315/mercedes-s63-amg-vs-jaguar-xjr-super-saloon-battle |work=Auto Express |access-date=31 August 2014|date=21 January 2014}}</ref> * Kia Stinger<ref>{{cite web |title=Kia Stinger|url= https://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicles/stinger/2022/specs.html|website=torquenews.com |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref> * Maserati Quattroporte<ref>{{cite web|title=The Super-Saloon|url= http://bespoke.cityam.com/february-2014/article/super-saloon |work=City AM|access-date=31 August 2014 |date=April 2014}}</ref> * Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG<ref>{{cite web|work=Car and Driver |date=December 2007 |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15386756/2008-bmw-m3-vs-2007-audi-rs-4-2008-m-b-c63-amg-comparison-tests/|title=Tested: 2008 BMW M3 vs. Audi RS 4 vs. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref> * MG ZS 180<ref>{{cite web|work=Autoexpress |date=April 2003 |url= http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/36794/mg-rover-45 |title=MG Rover 45 |access-date=22 February 2024}}</ref> * HSV Clubsport<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/hsv-gen-f-clubsport-review/|title=HSV Gen F Clubsport Review|access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref> {{div col end}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons inline|Sports sedans}}
{{CarConfig nav}} Category:Sports sedans Category:Car classifications