Coupé - Revision history

KPKonliner at 01:25, 20 May 2010

2010-05-20T01:25:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 20 May 2010
Line 34:		Line 34:
	==Examples of Coupes==		==Examples of Coupes==

	-[[Maserati GranTurismo]]		*[[Maserati GranTurismo]]
	-[[BMW M3]]		*[[BMW M3]]
	-[[Honda Accord]] Coupe		*[[Honda Accord]] Coupe
	-[[Audi TT]]		*[[Audi TT]]
	-[[Nissan 370Z]]		*[[Nissan 370Z]]

KPKonliner at 01:25, 20 May 2010

2010-05-20T01:25:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 20 May 2010
Line 30:		Line 30:

	Today "coupé" is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, ascribing the term to any vehicle with two or three doors, and perceived luxury or sporting appeal. This is because coupés in general are seen as sportier than sedans; hence a coupé would be marketed as a "sportier" vehicle than a two-door sedan. As well, while previous coupés were "simply line-extenders two-door variants of family sedans", new "coupés" often have different sheet metal and styling than their four-door counterparts.		Today "coupé" is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, ascribing the term to any vehicle with two or three doors, and perceived luxury or sporting appeal. This is because coupés in general are seen as sportier than sedans; hence a coupé would be marketed as a "sportier" vehicle than a two-door sedan. As well, while previous coupés were "simply line-extenders two-door variants of family sedans", new "coupés" often have different sheet metal and styling than their four-door counterparts.


			==Examples of Coupes==

			-[[Maserati GranTurismo]]
			-[[BMW M3]]
			-[[Honda Accord]] Coupe
			-[[Audi TT]]
			-[[Nissan 370Z]]


	==References==		==References==

Jentsche at 04:18, 24 July 2008

2008-07-24T04:18:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:18, 24 July 2008
Line 31:		Line 31:
	Today "coupé" is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, ascribing the term to any vehicle with two or three doors, and perceived luxury or sporting appeal. This is because coupés in general are seen as sportier than sedans; hence a coupé would be marketed as a "sportier" vehicle than a two-door sedan. As well, while previous coupés were "simply line-extenders two-door variants of family sedans", new "coupés" often have different sheet metal and styling than their four-door counterparts.		Today "coupé" is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, ascribing the term to any vehicle with two or three doors, and perceived luxury or sporting appeal. This is because coupés in general are seen as sportier than sedans; hence a coupé would be marketed as a "sportier" vehicle than a two-door sedan. As well, while previous coupés were "simply line-extenders two-door variants of family sedans", new "coupés" often have different sheet metal and styling than their four-door counterparts.

	==~~Links~~==		==References==
	*[http://www.jbcarpages.com/coupe/ Coupe models sold in the US]		*[http://www.jbcarpages.com/coupe/ Coupe models sold in the US]

Jentsche at 04:16, 24 July 2008

2008-07-24T04:16:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:16, 24 July 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the French ''couper'' to cut) ~~or '''coupe'''~~ is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or ~~[[2 plus 2\|~~2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and ~~for~~ two occasional passengers in the rear). ~~Through~~ the ~~1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés~~, ~~but since the 1960s~~ the ~~term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively~~ to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the ~~styling feature~~ of ~~frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against~~ a ~~weatherstrip on the main body~~.		A '''coupé''' or '''coupe''' (from the French verb ''couper'', to cut) is a [[car body style]], the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time. Coupés are often sporty variants of [[sedan]] (also known as saloon) body styles, with doors commonly reduced from 4 to 2, and a close-coupled interior (i.e. the rear seat placed further forward than in a standard sedan) offering either two seats or 2+2 seating (space for two passengers in the front and two occasional passengers or children in the rear). Before the days of motorized vehicles, the word referred to the front or after compartment of a Continental stagecoach.

	~~The [[Society of Automotive Engineers\|SAE]] distinguishes a~~ coupé ~~from~~ a ~~[[sedan]] primarily by interior volume; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed~~-~~roof automobile with less than 33&nbsp~~;~~ft³ (0~~.~~93 m³~~, ~~934 L) of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a [[two-door sedan]]~~, ~~not a~~ coupé~~, even if~~ it ~~has only two doors~~. ~~Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use~~ the ~~word coupé~~ to ~~describe such a model, e~~.~~g.,~~ the ~~[[Cadillac~~ Coupe ~~de Ville]]~~.		== Pronunciation ==
			In Europe (including the United Kingdom), the original French spelling, ''coupé'', and a French pronunciation (English ''koo-pay''), are used. The stress may be on either the first or second syllable; stressing the first syllable is the more Anglicized variant. Most speakers of North American English, at this time, pronounce ''coupé'' as "coop" and spell it without the acute accent (''coupe''). This was a gradual change from the original French pronunciation occuring prior to WWII. A very North American example of usage is the hot-rodders' term Deuce Coupe ("doose coop") used to refer to a 1932 Ford.

	~~It is becoming more of~~ a ~~marketing term for automotive manufacturers~~, ~~calling any two doors~~ (~~or three door~~) ~~a coupé. This is mostly due~~ to the ~~fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan~~, ~~hence~~ a ~~coupé would be perceived as sportier than~~ a ~~2-door sedan~~. ~~Lately~~, ~~some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés~~, ~~notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]~~. ~~Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes~~' ~~example, such as [[Audi]]~~ with ~~its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]]~~.		== History ==
			In the 19th century a coupé was a closed four-wheel horse-drawn carriage, cut (''coupé'') to eliminate the forward, rear-facing passenger seats, with a single seat inside for two persons behind the driver, who sat on a box outside. Commonly, a coupé had a fixed glass window in the front of the body, protected from road dirt by a high curving dashboard. A ''Landau'' is a coupé with a folding top.

	~~== Pronunciation ==~~		Through the 1950s opening-roof [[convertible]] automobiles were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupés often have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weather-strip on the main body.
	~~In Europe (including~~ the ~~UK)~~, the ~~original French spelling,~~ ''coupé'', and a ~~French pronunciation~~, ''~~koo-pay~~'', ~~are often used ({{IPA\|/~~'~~kuːpeɪ/}})~~. ~~The stress~~ may ~~be on either~~ the ~~first~~ or ~~second syllable; stressing~~ the ~~first syllable~~ is the ~~more Anglicized variant~~. ~~Speakers~~ of ~~North American English pronounce~~ ''~~coupé~~'' as ''~~coop~~'' ~~({{IPA2\|kuːp}}) and spell it without~~ the ~~acute accent. A very American example of usage is the hot-rodders' term "~~[[~~Deuce Coupe~~]]~~" used to refer to a 1932 Ford~~.
			The [[Society of Automotive Engineers\|SAE]] distinguishes a coupé from a sedan primarily by interior volume; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 cubic-feet of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a [[Sedan#Two-door_sedan\|two-door sedan]], not a coupé, even if it has only two doors. By this standard, the [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]], [[Ferrari]] [[Ferrari 612 Scaglietti\|612 Scaglietti]], and [[Mercedes-Benz CL-Class]] coupés are all two-door sedans. Only a few sources, however (including the magazine ''Car and Driver''), use the ''two-door sedan'' label in this manner. Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use the word coupé (or coupe) to describe such a model, ''e.g.'', the [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville]].

			Alternatively, a coupé is distinguished from a two-door sedan by the lack of a "B" pillar to support the roof. Sedans have an "A" pillar forward at the windscreen, a "B" pillar aft of the door, and a "C" pillar defining the aftermost roof support at the rear window. Thus with all side-windows down, a coupé would appear windowless from the "A" to the "C" pillars. These fixed-roof models are described as a ''hardtop''. ''Targa top'' models are a variation on the [[convertible]] design.

	~~== History ==~~		During the 20th century the term was applied to various close-coupled automobiles.
	~~[[Image:Royal Carriage; collection of Leopold II.JPG\|thumb\|right\|275px\|Gala-Coupé of [[Leopold II of Belgium\|Leopold II]], Brussels]]~~
	In the ~~19th~~ century ~~a coupé~~ was ~~a closed four-wheel coach, cut (''coupé'')~~ to ~~eliminate the forward, rear~~-facing passenger seats, with a single passenger seat behind the driver, who sat on a box (''illustration, right''). Commonly, a coupé had a fixed glass window in the front of the body, protected from road dirt by a high curving dashboard.

	~~During the 20th century~~ the term ~~was applied to various close-coupled automobiles. Through the 1950s many automakers offered~~ several varieties ~~of coupé~~		Manufacturers have used the term coupé in several varieties, including:
	;Club coupé : a coupé with a larger rear seat, which would today be called a two-door sedan.		;Club coupé: a coupé with a larger rear seat, which would today be called a two-door sedan.
	;Business coupé : a coupé with no rear seat or a removable rear seat, intended for traveling ~~salesmen~~ and other vendors who would be carrying their wares with them.		;Business coupé: a coupé with no rear seat or a removable rear seat intended for traveling salespeople and other vendors who would be carrying their wares with them.
	;Opéra coupé : a coupé with rear seats that are mounted in the sides of the body and fold downward for use.		;Opéra coupé: a coupé with rear seats that are mounted in the sides of the body and fold downward for use.
	;~~Sport~~ coupé '''or''' berlinetta : a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as ''[[fastback]]''.		;Sports coupé '''or''' berlinetta: a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as ''[[fastback]]''.
	;Four-door coupé : a [[sedan]] with classic coupe-like proportions. The designation was first applied to the [[Rover P5]] from 1962 until 1973 but was revived as recent as 2004 by the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS]].
	~~;[[Combi coupé]] : a body type from SAAB combining the coupé lines with large loading capacity~~.
	[[Image:Mercedes CLS C219.jpg\|thumb\|Mercedes CLS a modern four-door coupé]]		[[Image:Mercedes CLS C219.jpg\|thumb\|Mercedes CLS a modern four-door coupé]]
			;Four-door coupé: a sedan with classic coupé-like proportions. The designation was first applied to a low-roof model of the [[Rover P5]] from 1962 until 1973, but was revived as recently as 2004 by the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS]].
			;[[Combi coupé]]: a body type from SAAB combining the coupé lines with large loading capacity.
			;[[Sport Utility Coupe\|Sport Utility Coupé]]: an [[SUV]] with 2 doors and shortened wheelbase and body.
			;[[Sport Activity Coupe\|Sport Activity Coupé]]: an [[SUV]] with 4 doors and a sloping roof.

			With the growing popularity of the pillarless hardtop during the 1950s some automakers used the term ''coupé'' to refer to hardtop (rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof) models and reserved the term sedan for their models with a "B" pillar. This definition was by no means universal, and has largely fallen out of use with near-demise of the hardtop. Similarly, a [[Rover P5]] saloon model came in a body style with a lower roof that was called a coupé. Technically, it was cut, as the original definition required, but it was not a shorter car body.

			Today "coupé" is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, ascribing the term to any vehicle with two or three doors, and perceived luxury or sporting appeal. This is because coupés in general are seen as sportier than sedans; hence a coupé would be marketed as a "sportier" vehicle than a two-door sedan. As well, while previous coupés were "simply line-extenders two-door variants of family sedans", new "coupés" often have different sheet metal and styling than their four-door counterparts.

	~~With the growing popularity of the pillarless~~ [~~[hardtop]] during the 1950s some automakers used the term ''coupé'' to refer to hardtop (rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof) models and reserved the term sedan for pillared models~~. ~~This definition was by no means universal, and has largely fallen out of use with near-demise of the hardtop~~. ~~Similarly,~~ the ~~[[Rover P5]~~] ~~sedan came in a body style with a lower roof that was called a coupé. Technically, it was cut, as the original definition required, but was not a car body made shorter thereby.~~		==Links==
			*[http://www.jbcarpages.com/coupe/ Coupe models sold in the US]

	[[Category:Coupes\| ]]		[[Category:Coupes]]
	[[Category:Car classifications]]		[[Category:Car classifications]]
	[[Category:Car body styles~~\|Coupe~~]]		[[Category:Car body styles]]
	~~[[Category:French words\|Coupe]]~~

	~~<!-- The below are interlanguage links. -->~~

Red marquis at 06:50, 1 June 2007

2007-06-01T06:50:50Z

MercuryLover2008 at 13:33, 31 May 2007

2007-05-31T13:33:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 31 May 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 Mercury Cougar Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.		A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

Line 5:		Line 5:

	It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].		It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].

	~~[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg]]~~

	~~2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe.~~

	== Pronunciation ==		== Pronunciation ==

MercuryLover2008 at 13:32, 31 May 2007

2007-05-31T13:32:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 31 May 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 Mercury Cougar Luxury Coupe]]		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 Mercury Cougar Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.		A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

MercuryLover2008 at 13:32, 31 May 2007

2007-05-31T13:32:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 31 May 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:~~Peugeot 406 Coupe.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Peugeot 406]] Coupé, designed by Pininfarina]]~~		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 Mercury Cougar Luxury Coupe]]
	~~[[Image:AuthorsCar~~.jpg~~\|thumbnail~~\|right\|~~200px\|[[1995]] '''[[Buick Riviera]]''' coupé]]~~
	~~[[Image:Mb560sec-side.png\|thumbnail\|right\|200px\|[[1990]] '''[[Mercedes-Benz W126\|Mercedes-Benz 560SEC]]''' coupé, noted for its large, [[angular]] design~~]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.		A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

MercuryLover2008 at 13:50, 20 April 2007

2007-04-20T13:50:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 20 April 2007
Line 7:		Line 7:

	It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].		It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].

			[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg]]

			2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe.

	== Pronunciation ==		== Pronunciation ==

PNiddy: carrying over content

2006-12-22T15:29:56Z

carrying over content

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 22 December 2006
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~#REDIRECT~~[[Coupe]]		[[Image:Peugeot 406 Coupe.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Peugeot 406]] Coupé, designed by Pininfarina]]
			[[Image:AuthorsCar.jpg\|thumbnail\|right\|200px\|[[1995]] '''[[Buick Riviera]]''' coupé]]
			[[Image:Mb560sec-side.png\|thumbnail\|right\|200px\|[[1990]] '''[[Mercedes-Benz W126\|Mercedes-Benz 560SEC]]''' coupé, noted for its large, [[angular]] design]]
			A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

			The [[Society of Automotive Engineers\|SAE]] distinguishes a coupé from a [[sedan]] primarily by interior [[volume]]; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 ft³ (0.93 m³, 934 L) of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a [[two-door sedan]], not a coupé, even if it has only two doors. Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use the word coupé to describe such a model, e.g., the [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville]].

			It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].

			== Pronunciation ==
			In Europe (including the [[United Kingdom\|UK]]), the original [[French language\|French]] spelling, ''coupé'', and a French pronunciation, ''koo-pay'', are often used ({{IPA\|/'kuːpeɪ/}}). The stress may be on either the first or second syllable; stressing the first syllable is the more Anglicized variant. Speakers of [[North American English]] pronounce ''coupé'' as ''coop'' ({{IPA2\|kuːp}}) and spell it without the [[acute accent]]. A very American example of usage is the hot-rodders' term "[[Deuce Coupe]]" used to refer to a 1932 Ford.

			== History ==
			[[Image:Royal Carriage; collection of Leopold II.JPG\|thumb\|right\|275px\|Gala-Coupé of [[Leopold II of Belgium\|Leopold II]], Brussels]]
			In the 19th century a coupé was a closed four-wheel coach, cut (''coupé'') to eliminate the forward, rear-facing passenger seats, with a single passenger seat behind the driver, who sat on a box (''illustration, right''). Commonly, a coupé had a fixed glass window in the front of the body, protected from road dirt by a high curving dashboard.

			During the 20th century the term was applied to various close-coupled automobiles. Through the 1950s many automakers offered several varieties of coupé
			;Club coupé : a coupé with a larger rear seat, which would today be called a two-door sedan.
			;Business coupé : a coupé with no rear seat or a removable rear seat, intended for traveling salesmen and other vendors who would be carrying their wares with them.
			;Opéra coupé : a coupé with rear seats that are mounted in the sides of the body and fold downward for use.
			;Sport coupé '''or''' berlinetta : a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as ''[[fastback]]''.
			;Four-door coupé : a [[sedan]] with classic coupe-like proportions. The designation was first applied to the [[Rover P5]] from [[1962]] until [[1973]] but was revived as recent as [[2004]] by the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS]].
			;[[Combi coupé]] : a body type from SAAB combining the coupé lines with large loading capacity.
			[[Image:Mercedes CLS C219.jpg\|thumb\|Mercedes CLS a modern four-door coupé]]

			With the growing popularity of the pillarless [[hardtop]] during the 1950s some automakers used the term ''coupé'' to refer to hardtop (rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof) models and reserved the term sedan for pillared models. This definition was by no means universal, and has largely fallen out of use with near-demise of the hardtop. Similarly, the [[Rover P5]] sedan came in a body style with a lower roof that was called a coupé. Technically, it was cut, as the original definition required, but was not a car body made shorter thereby.

			[[Category:Coupes\| ]]
			[[Category:Car classifications]]
			[[Category:Car body styles\|Coupe]]
			[[Category:French words\|Coupe]]

			<!-- The below are interlanguage links. -->

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 31 May 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:~~Peugeot 406 Coupe.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Peugeot 406]] Coupé, designed by Pininfarina]]~~		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 Mercury Cougar Luxury Coupe]]
	~~[[Image:AuthorsCar~~.jpg~~\|thumbnail~~\|right\|~~200px\|[[1995]] '''[[Buick Riviera]]''' coupé]]~~
	~~[[Image:Mb560sec-side.png\|thumbnail\|right\|200px\|[[1990]] '''[[Mercedes-Benz W126\|Mercedes-Benz 560SEC]]''' coupé, noted for its large, [[angular]] design~~]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.		A '''coupé''' (from the [[French language\|French]] ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:50, 1 June 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]		[[Image:01 Cougar.jpg\|right\|2001 [[Mercury Cougar]] Luxury Coupe\|thumb\|250px]]
	A '''coupé''' (from the [[French ~~language\|French]]~~ ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.		A '''coupé''' (from the French ''couper'' to cut) or '''coupe''' is a [[car body style]] with a close-coupled interior offering either two seats or [[2 plus 2\|2+2]] seating (space for two passengers up front and for two occasional passengers in the rear). Through the 1950s [[convertible]] models were sometimes called convertible coupés, but since the 1960s the term ''coupé'' has generally been applied exclusively to fixed-roof models. Coupés generally, but not necessarily, have two doors, although [[automobile]] makers have offered four-door coupés and three- and five-door [[hatchback]] coupés, as well. Modern coupes generally have the styling feature of frameless doors, with the window glass sealing directly against a weatherstrip on the main body.

	The [[Society of Automotive Engineers\|SAE]] distinguishes a coupé from a [[sedan]] primarily by interior [[volume]]; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 ft³ (0.93 m³, 934 L) of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a [[two-door sedan]], not a coupé, even if it has only two doors. Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use the word coupé to describe such a model, e.g., the [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville]].		The [[Society of Automotive Engineers\|SAE]] distinguishes a coupé from a [[sedan]] primarily by interior volume; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 ft³ (0.93 m³, 934 L) of rear interior volume. A car with a greater interior volume is technically a [[two-door sedan]], not a coupé, even if it has only two doors. Some car manufacturers may nonetheless choose to use the word coupé to describe such a model, e.g., the [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville]].

	It is becoming more of a [[marketing]] term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].		It is becoming more of a marketing term for automotive manufacturers, calling any two doors (or three door) a coupé. This is mostly due to the fact that coupés in general are seen as more sporty than sedan, hence a coupé would be perceived as sportier than a 2-door sedan. Lately, some four door sedans are being marketed as coupés, notably the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class]]. Marketing divisions from other companies are set to follow Mercedes' example, such as [[Audi]] with its rumoured 4-door coupé variant of the upcoming [[Audi A5\|A5]].

	== Pronunciation ==		== Pronunciation ==
	In Europe (including the ~~[[United Kingdom\|~~UK]]), the original ~~[[French language\|~~French]] spelling, ''coupé'', and a French pronunciation, ''koo-pay'', are often used ({{IPA\|/'kuːpeɪ/}}). The stress may be on either the first or second syllable; stressing the first syllable is the more Anglicized variant. Speakers of [[North American English]] pronounce ''coupé'' as ''coop'' ({{IPA2\|kuːp}}) and spell it without the [[acute accent]]. A very American example of usage is the hot-rodders' term "[[Deuce Coupe]]" used to refer to a 1932 Ford.		In Europe (including the UK), the original French spelling, ''coupé'', and a French pronunciation, ''koo-pay'', are often used ({{IPA\|/'kuːpeɪ/}}). The stress may be on either the first or second syllable; stressing the first syllable is the more Anglicized variant. Speakers of North American English pronounce ''coupé'' as ''coop'' ({{IPA2\|kuːp}}) and spell it without the acute accent. A very American example of usage is the hot-rodders' term "[[Deuce Coupe]]" used to refer to a 1932 Ford.

	== History ==		== History ==
Line 18:		Line 18:
	;Opéra coupé : a coupé with rear seats that are mounted in the sides of the body and fold downward for use.		;Opéra coupé : a coupé with rear seats that are mounted in the sides of the body and fold downward for use.
	;Sport coupé '''or''' berlinetta : a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as ''[[fastback]]''.		;Sport coupé '''or''' berlinetta : a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as ''[[fastback]]''.
	;Four-door coupé : a [[sedan]] with classic coupe-like proportions. The designation was first applied to the [[Rover P5]] from [[1962]] until [[1973]] but was revived as recent as [[2004]] by the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS]].		;Four-door coupé : a [[sedan]] with classic coupe-like proportions. The designation was first applied to the [[Rover P5]] from 1962 until 1973 but was revived as recent as 2004 by the [[Mercedes-Benz CLS]].
	;[[Combi coupé]] : a body type from SAAB combining the coupé lines with large loading capacity.		;[[Combi coupé]] : a body type from SAAB combining the coupé lines with large loading capacity.
	[[Image:Mercedes CLS C219.jpg\|thumb\|Mercedes CLS a modern four-door coupé]]		[[Image:Mercedes CLS C219.jpg\|thumb\|Mercedes CLS a modern four-door coupé]]