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What is a roadster, the history of its appearance in the automotive world

In the automotive world, a number of body shapes have been established, each of which differs in a special way from each other. Many automakers take into account the personal preferences of the consumer and produce several body variations for one model. A sedan is characterized by a large trunk, hatchbacks and coupes are great for city driving, and crossovers and SUVs are great for traveling. However, there is an equally interesting body design - a roadster.

What is a roadster, what are its features, history and much more - further.

What is a roadster?

The roadster is a two-seater sports car with a foldable hard or soft roof and a separate trunk. This type of body is often confused with a convertible and coupe due to a similar design. The Roadster is perfect for out-of-town trips on smooth roads, as well as on mountain smooth tracks, providing excellent visibility due to a folding roof. 

roadster shells

How the roadster appeared

In the first half of the 20th century, a two-seater open-type car was mistaken for a roadster. If necessary, it was possible to pull the awning manually. It is noteworthy that these cars lacked side windows, and were replaced by tarpaulin curtains with celluloid windows. Due to the absence, you can understand that this is a roadster. At that time, there were a lot of such cars, so coupes and convertibles were also called roadsters in everyday life.

Unlike modern cars, those roadsters did not differ in sporty appearance and character, but they were cheaper than other cars due to the lack of a roof. 

The main characteristics of roadsters

lamborghini

Samples of representatives of today's roadsters differ from the twin cities in class (coupe and convertible) in the following characteristics:

  • low overhang of bumpers;
  • ground clearance up to 130 mm;
  • large wheels with low profile tires (from 17 inches);
  • pinched suspension (stiff, aimed at comfortable movement at high speed in sharp turns);
  • most often - rear-wheel drive, the engine may be located at the rear;
  • small trunk;
  • high dynamic characteristics.

The main thing that distinguishes today's roadster from other cars is the cost. This is an expensive “toy” of the day off, which gives maximum emotions only on smooth pavement in warm weather. You can feel all the advantages of a roadster on mountain serpentines, enjoying the beautiful view and sporty character of the car.

What is the difference between a roadster and a coupe

A coupe is a car with two or four seats, a separate full-size trunk, a closed body. The main difference from a roadster is that modern coupes do not always belong to a number of sports cars; they can be representatives of the budget segment, such as the 1st generation Renault Megane, or exclusive cars such as BMW 6. Most often, the coupe is based on the same platform as the sedan. complements the multi-body range. 

The main differences:

  • the presence of the rear row of seats;
  • full luggage compartment;
  • hard roof;
  • front-engine layout, most often front-wheel drive;
  • wide range of price categories;
  • different class, from compact to business.

Vivid differences you can see in the photo below.

roadster and coupe mini

 Most popular models

Porsche Boxster

Porsche Boxster - the most recognizable model, with whose name modern roadsters are always associated. It is a sports rear-engine, two-seater car. The initial cost of such a “toy” is about $ 72000, but you will receive:

  • 320 hp and about 500 N * m;
  • acceleration to “hundreds” in 5 seconds and a top speed of 277 km / h;
  • 7-speed proprietary robot PDK;
  • 20-inch wheels
  • sports salon with anatomical seats, a lot of electronic assistants, including safety;
  • a lot of positive emotions.
BMW Z4

BMW Z4. It started in 2002, the second generation came out in 2016. The average cost of a new roadster is $ 35000, and options with mileage, the sample of 2005-2008, can be found for 10-15 thousand dollars. 

The new Z4 is not inferior in characteristics to the above competitor. “Bavarian” is able to gain the first hundred in 4.8-7 seconds, and the maximum speed reaches 250 km / h. Fuel consumption is impressive: 6-8 liters on the highway, and 11-12 in urban mode. Among other things, you get a combination or leather interior, individual design, a modern active safety system, and everything that a modern car owner needs.

Mercedes-Benz SLK class.

Mercedes-Benz SLK class. The history of the Mercedes-Benz SLK-class compact roadster dates back to 1996. Since then, the model has changed two generations, leaving in the third all the best traditions of Mercedes. The starting price for the new SLK is $45. The base engine - 000 Blue Efficiency, paired with a 350-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission allows you to accelerate to 6 km / h in 100 seconds. 6-horsepower units, with a volume of 429 liters, are able to overcome the barrier of 4.7 km / h in 100 seconds. In terms of comfort, the SLK has found the best running characteristics of the class-E. 

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