Car model: Difference between revisions

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	{{For\|scale models of automobiles\|Model car}}		{{For\|scale models of automobiles\|Model car}}
			] model: ], ] and ] ]]
	{{Multiple issues\|{{Cleanup\|reason=the article violates ] and ], as it is ''completely'' unverifiable (unreferenced) as to actual content ideas; inline citations are limited to one section, where they are merely to example autos\|date=March 2015}}
	{{Refimprove\|date=March 2011}}
	{{Original research\|date=November 2012}}}}

	] configurations of a sedan ], station wagon ] and hatchback ] from the same ], here the ].]]

	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 ] 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 ]/] combination or the same ] or platform although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.		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 ] 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 ]/] combination or the same ] or platform although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.
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	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."		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."

			== Common characteristics ==
	==Mechanical internals==
			Given that the interior equipment, upholstery and exterior trim is usually determined by the ], the car model often defines the ] and ] that is used.<ref>{{cite web\|title=2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback – Driven Review\|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/chevrolet/2017-chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-driven-ar176644.html\|website=www.topspeed.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=2017 Honda Civic Hatchback First Drive: Incremental Business or Next Big Thing\|url=http://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/civic/2017/2017-honda-civic-hatchback-first-drive-review/\|website=www.motortrend.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=2019 Kia Cerato hatch styling revealed\|url=https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-news/2019-kia-cerato-hatch-styling-revealed\|website=www.whichcar.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Mazda to Unveil Updated Mazda6 Wagon at Geneva Motor Show\|url=http://www2.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2018/201802/180209a.html\|website=www.mazda.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref> The model also defines the body style(s) and engine choice(s).<ref>{{cite web\|title=Trim levels 101: All about trims, styles, options and packages\|url=https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/trim-levels-101.html\|website=www.edmunds.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref>
	{{unreferenced section\|date=March 2015}}
	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 ].

			Some models have only one body style (e.g. the ] hatchback),<ref>{{cite web\|title=Mazda 2 review (2018)\|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mazda/2\|website=www.autocar.co.uk\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref> while other models are produced in several body styles (e.g. the ], which has been produced in hatchback, sedan and convertible body styles).<ref>{{cite web\|title=2017 Audi A3 Hatchback\|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2017-audi-a3-hatchback-ar172252.html\|website=www.topspeed.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref> Similarly, some models have a single engine/] specification available (eg the ]), while other models have multiple powertrains available (eg the ], which has been produced with inline-4, V6 and V8 engines).<ref>{{cite web\|title=2018 Ford Mustang\|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-ford-mustang-first-drive-review\|website=www.caranddriver.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref>
	==Marketing==
	{{unreferenced section\|date=March 2015}}
	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 ] hatchback and the ], which is of "three-box" design with a boot/trunk added to what is essentially a Golf.

			In some cases, a manufacturer has marketed a body style as a separate model — for example the ] and the ], which are based on the ] and ] platforms respectively.<ref>{{cite web\|title=2019 Volkswagen Jetta Preview\|url=https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/volkswagen_jetta_2019\|website=www.thecarconnection.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=2018 BMW 4 Series Convertible Review\|url=https://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2018-bmw-4-series-convertible-ar173950.html\|website=www.topspeed.com\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}</ref>
	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.{{vague\|date=August 2012}}

	==Regional variations==		==Regional variations==

Revision as of 23:12, 4 April 2018

For scale models of automobiles, see Model car.

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."

Common characteristics

Given that the interior equipment, upholstery and exterior trim is usually determined by the trim level, the car model often defines the styling theme and platform that is used. The model also defines the body style(s) and engine choice(s).

Some models have only one body style (e.g. the Mazda 2 hatchback), while other models are produced in several body styles (e.g. the Audi A3, which has been produced in hatchback, sedan and convertible body styles). Similarly, some models have a single engine/powertrain specification available (eg the Chevrolet Volt), while other models have multiple powertrains available (eg the Ford Mustang, which has been produced with inline-4, V6 and V8 engines).

In some cases, a manufacturer has marketed a body style as a separate model — for example the Volkswagen Jetta and the BMW 4 Series, which are based on the Volkswagen Golf and BMW 3 Series platforms respectively.