Types of cars by body type

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The car has not been considered only as a means of transportation for a long time, at the present time it has become an integral part of civilization. That is why the types of car production have become so diverse, offering cars with all sorts of equipment designed to meet the most diverse needs of customers. The modern car market presents a huge variety of models that differ in body type, all varieties of which are unlikely to be able to name even the most advanced motorist.

The main purposes of the car body

In the field of mechanical engineering over the past couple of decades, a large number of modifications of vehicle bodies have been developed and produced, among which, according to the most conservative estimates of experts, there are more than 15 types of passenger cars by body type alone. And here the question is brewing: why do we need so many body types? If you had to buy a car, then in the salon the consultant will ask for what purposes you need transport, do you have a large family, in what area do you plan to travel? In other words, it will reveal your needs, and the people associated with vehicles actually have them.lots of. Thus, the body of a modern car is able to meet the different requirements of consumers: the capacity of the passenger compartment and trunk, the shape and height of the car, and individual functional features.

Modern types of cars and their classification

Mass automotive industry dates back to the 20th century. The first models looked more like an open wagon, powered not by horses, but by an internal combustion engine.

With the growing demand for self-propelled vehicles, the production technology was being finalized, the manufacturers had the goal of producing types of vehicles that could not only transport people, but also provide protection and comfort to passengers. This is how closed bodies appeared, inside which people were protected from the negative effects of weather conditions (rain, snow, wind, sun, cold).

At the present stage, the classification of bodies is carried out depending on many criteria:

1. Destination (bodies of passenger, cargo-passenger and passenger cars).
2. According to the degree of workload.
3. By layout.
4. By design features (open, closed bodies).

Body types by layout

This classification criterion divides bodies by the number of visually visible volumes (parts) of the car's silhouette:

1. One-volume bodies suggest the location of passengers, engine and possible cargo in one visually integral part.
2. In two-volume bodies, the engine is located in one partstructures (under the hood), and passengers and cargo in another (cabin)
3. The three-volume body consists of a hood, under which there is an internal combustion engine, a cabin designed to carry passengers, and a separate compartment for luggage (trunk).

Bodies by degree of load

Car bodies may be structurally different depending on the expected degree of load on them:

1. The load-bearing body has many common types of cars (including VAZ). The exception is premium cars. A functional feature of this type of body is that all weight loads fall on the body part.
2. Semi-supporting body is applicable for the production of buses in which the load is distributed between the body and the frame.
3. The unloaded body is mounted on the frame using special rubber pads. Such a body takes on the load only from the transported people and goods.

Types of open body cars

The category of open top cars includes several models, including not only the world-famous convertible, but also the roadster, brogue, targa, phaeton, spider and others. Let's describe the most common:

• The convertible, like other types of convertibles, has always been considered a sign of luxury and refined taste. It was often possible to meet such cars in countries with a hot climate, including in resort areas. The design feature of the three-volume body is the folding roof, which, being made of flexible materials, folds behind the rear seat. A convertible can also be a 4-door, but 2-door models are more common, which, however, have 2 rows of seats.



• Roadster has a 3-volume body with a soft or hard convertible top and one row of seats, without side windows, often even without a roof.



• Phaeton, like the roadster, has an opening roof, there are no side rising windows, but the number of seats can reach 5-6.
• Targa is a type of body with a rigidly fixed windshield. Unlike other convertible models, the Targa only has a roof that opens over the front seats, and the rear passenger area is covered with glass.

Closed car category

The main types of cars by type of closed body are as follows:

• Sedan is a three-volume passenger car in which the interior, hood and trunk are visually clearly demarcated. At the end of the 20th century, this body type was the most common in the automotive industry, however, even today it does not leave the production line of most concerns. In a sedan, there are always 2 rows of seats for 4-5 seats, usually 4 doors, but there may also be a two-door version.



• The station wagon stands out among its fellows with a noticeable elongation. The two-volume body has an odd number of doors - usually5, rarely 3, and the back one is located almost parallel to the earth's surface. A very roomy trunk and 2 rows of seats make the station wagon a popular family car.



• Hatchback is a kind of hybrid between a sedan and station wagon, combining the comfort of the first and the capacity of the second. The body has an odd number of doors, one of which is located at the rear with a slight slope. It differs from the sedan in a shorter rear overhang. A characteristic feature is the folding second row of seats, which, in combination with the luggage compartment integrated into the cabin, creates additional space.



• Van - a three-volume three-door (if the luggage compartment opens with two doors, then the total number of doors in the car is 4) body. Differences: Only one row of seats and a very large cargo area.
• Pickup is a three-volume body, which has a large open cargo area, separated from the passenger compartment by a rigid partition. Applies to utility vehicles.
• Minivan is a modified wagon that has an extra row of seats and a higher seating position.
• Off-road vehicle (crossover) - in design it resembles a station wagon or hatchback with the difference that the crossover has the greatest cross-country ability due to the high ground clearance. It is also distinguished by the high landing of the driver's seat.

Truck bodies

World automakers produce not only passenger cars, trucks by body type alsotoday there are many. Trucks differ primarily from cars in that the former must have a frame that takes on part of the load.

• Eurotruck is the most common truck. Covered tarpaulin design allows loading/unloading from the top and side.



• Refrigerated truck is designed to transport goods that require compliance with a special temperature. It is essentially a large capacity cold store.



• The tanker is applicable for the transportation of liquid cargo in a special closed metal container - a tank.



• The isothermal body has a thermally insulated luggage compartment without active refrigeration units. Some models have a van heating feature.
• The open semi-trailer has an open loading area.