Sports sedan

A sports sedan or a sports saloon is a descriptive term applied to a sedan automobile that is designed to look and feel "sporty" - offering the driver more connection with the driving experience. Most vehicles in this category overlap with the compact executive car classification.

The term was originally introduced in the 1930s and applied to lighter, more streamlined closed body coachwork fitted by car makers. Rover, for example, had Sports Saloon versions of several of their models.

It was later applied by manufacturers to special versions of their vehicles that allowed them to enter production cars in motor races with extra modifications not normally permitted by the regulations. Such regulations required cars to be homologated typically by selling them in minimum numbers to the public. Some of the earlier examples were the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Triumph Dolomite and Lotus Cortina. The term is also used for flagship cars even when they are not required for homologation. They are also known in the United States as halo cars.

Traditionally sports sedans have a manual transmission and tachometer in order to provide that "sports look and feel" and are rear wheel drive, have good handling characteristics, and adequate power. Because of the US move to automatic transmission and front wheel drive these types are now also to be found in the sport sedan category.

Examples are the:

* Acura RL A-Spec
* Acura TL A-Spec/Type-S
* Alfa Romeo 159
* Aston Martin Rapide
* Audi S4, Audi RS4
* Audi S6, Audi RS6
* Audi S8
* BMW 3 Series, BMW M3
* BMW M5
* Cadillac CTS-V
* Cadillac STS-V
* Chrysler 300C SRT-8
* Dodge Charger SRT-8
* Ford Mondeo ST200
* Honda Accord Type R
* Honda Civic Si
* HSV Clubsport
* HSV Grange
* Infiniti G35
* Jaguar XF SV8
* Jaguar XJR
* Jaguar S-Type R
* Lexus IS350, Lexus IS-F
* Mazdaspeed 6
* Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
* Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
* Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
* Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
* Mercury Marauder
* Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
* Nissan Maxima
* Nissan Altima
* Pontiac G8
* Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
* Porsche Panamera
* Rover 620ti
* Rover 800 Vitesse
* Saab 9-3 Aero
* Saab 9-5 Aero
* Subaru Impreza WRX
* Volkswagen Passat R36
* Subaru Impreza WRX STi
* Volvo 850 R
* Volvo S60 R