| Revision as of 11:40, 1 April 2018 editMrsSnoozyTurtle (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users32,338 edits →Trim levels: replacing text with link to main article, to avoid WP:FORK← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:02, 2 April 2018 edit undoMrsSnoozyTurtle (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users32,338 edits →Model years: replacing unreferenced section with link to topic's articleNext edit → | ||
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| ==Model years== | ==Model years== | ||
| {{main|Model year#Automobiles}} | |||
| {{unreferenced section|date=March 2015}} | |||
| A car model may be further subdivided into ]s, all cars from a particular model year sharing approximately the same characteristics (given the same trim level, body style, engine option, etc.) but sometimes with differences from others of a different model year. | |||
| In this context, a ] (also known as a mid-generational refresh or minor model update) may update an aging car model, usually with exterior or interior cosmetic changes, and sometimes powertrain changes—but without a major platform engineering revision that would be costly for the automaker. This results in a so-called "second series" of that particular model, and sometimes becoming the opportunity for a marketing re-launch of the same car. A variation of this is a "reskin" where an automaker creates a "new" model by creating completely new outer panelwork for the car but leaves the inner core structure and mechanical configuration from the previous generation largely unchanged - good examples of this include the ] and later ], or the Mark II and Mark III versions of the ]. | |||
| Many times a manufacturer decides to completely redesign the car, but with the aim of offering the new model to the same specific public or in the same market niche, keeping it similarly priced and marketed against its usual competitors from other manufacturers. The car is usually considered a different model by the engineering department, carrying a different model designator, but, for marketing reasons, it is offered to the consumers with the same old, traditional, familiar name. An example of this is the ]. | |||
| Total production run for a given car is usually calculated regarding the engineering project name or designator. The marketing department may advertise figures for a continuous-production trade-name instead, divided in so-called "generations". However, for government or sport regulatory purposes, each body-style/mechanical-configuration combination may be counted as a different model. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 08:02, 2 April 2018
For scale models of automobiles, see Model car. | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
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An automobile model (or car model or model of car, and typically abbreviated to just "model") is a particular brand of vehicle sold under a marque by a manufacturer, usually within a range of models, usually of different sizes or capabilities. From an engineering point of view, a particular car model is usually defined and/or constrained by the use of a particular car chassis/bodywork combination or the same monocoque or platform although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.
A model may also be referred to as a nameplate, specifically when referring to the product from the point of view of the manufacturer, especially a model over time. For example, the Chevrolet Suburban is the oldest automobile nameplate in continuous production, dating to 1934 (1935 model year), while the Chrysler New Yorker was (until its demise in 1996) the oldest North American car nameplate. "Nameplate" is also sometimes used more loosely, however, to refer to a brand or division of larger company (e.g., GMC), rather than a specific model.
This engineering frame may have derivatives, giving rise to more than one body style for a particular car model. For example, the same model can be offered as a four-door sedan (saloon), a two-door coupé, a station wagon (estate), or even as a folding-roof convertible, all derived from essentially the same engineering frame. An example of this is the BMW 3 Series.
Fully specifying an automobile can involve many levels of detail, most basically: manufacturer (company), model (brand, product name), and model year. Often, these further details are included: body style (e.g., 2-door, 4-door), trim level (often denoted by lettering after the model name), and individual options (e.g., a sunroof). In North America, formal reference to automobiles (e.g., in police reports) specify "year, make, model", i.e., model year, manufacturer, and product, as in a "2000 Toyota Camry."
Mechanical internals
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The same car model can be offered with different mechanical internals, such as a choice of several engine sizes, automatic or manual transmissions, different suspension, braking or steering systems, etc.; all of these options considered fairly interchangeable on that specific body frame. It is common for any specific car model to carry additional badges or letterings to announce the mechanical option(s) incorporated on it.
However, when the same engineering body frame is sold under a different marque or by a partner automaker, it usually becomes, from a commercial point of view, a different car model. See badge engineering.
Marketing
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Sometimes the marketing department may give each body style variant its own trade name, creating as many car models as body variants, even though they may share a large parts commonality and the engineering department may continue to consider them all part of the same project. An example of this is the Volkswagen Golf hatchback and the Volkswagen Jetta, which is of "three-box" design with a boot/trunk added to what is essentially a Golf.
Conversely, the marketing department may advertise a car model as a convenient derivative of some popular car, when in fact they may be completely different engineering projects with almost no parts commonality, or from differing generations of the model. (For example, convertibles are often so heavily engineered, for a relatively small number of sales, that an older generation model is facelifted and carried forward with a new generation of the model's other body styles.) However, this can also mean that it can change some things.
Regional variations
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The same car model may be sold by the automaker in different countries under different names. An example of this is the Mitsubishi Pajero / Montero.
Trim level
Main article: Trim level (automobile)For a particular model, the trim level identifies the level of equipment or special features.