Hello all, I believe this is probably a dumb question, but I have to know:
"is the S-type R a supercar"? I asked because on my way back from Dallas to Phoenix, when the highway was empty, I got childish and succumbed to a challenge from a Mustang Cobra. Looked to be around a '05 to '08, i think....not a 'Stang guy. Anyway, I didn't "blow his doors off", but I was able to keep up with him, neck and neck, and when we got to speeds where they vaporize your license, I pulled away. I was very proud of my STR that day, but disappointed in myself for racing, (well not actually, I won!). With that said, I always here, "that's a supercar", so I was wondering would the STR be in that class? I know the Cobra driver thinks so. and please don't get me wrong, I don't go racing my classy Jag against anyone who challeges, usually I practice restraint......just couldn't this time

 

Torque is great isn't it?

A valid question.... I suppose there was a time when any 400hp car could easily fall into that category..... These days I would say probably not.

That supercar status usually buys an aire of exclusivity. An Enzo.... Veyron.... Zonda.... Those are supercars.... and they don't get built to appeal to the masses like the rest.

I don't consider M5s or AMGs or Caddy Vs supercars either though. They simply build too many of them. They do put up some pretty supercar-like numbers though and for that we can be grateful. We are living in the good old days right now.

 

I think in car enthusiast circles and automotive literature, 'super-cars' means a very specific tier of automotive performance and engineering.

STR doesn't fall into 'super-car' by any stretch.

So what is it?

If the M5 is a 'sports sedan', I would call the STR a 'luxury sports sedan'.

I think 'autobahn machine' is also appropriate for the STR.

Consider the STR's;
ZF 6speed and 2.89 final drive for gearing and,
400hp car with a 'great' powerband and,
very good aero profile, helps tremendously at high speeds,

and you have the making's of a genuinely fast top end car, while many other cars, even other 'high performance' cars fall flat on their face by 90mph, the STR pulls good to it's limiter, which means it can indeed 'keep up' with other FAST cars up top.

On the other hand, the car also weighs 4000lbs and 'only' makes 400hp, not exactly a recipe for a fast anything, depending on how you look at it.

Not everyone feels comfortable doing 150+mph racing though, so most ego's behind hot car's get stirred best going stoplight-to-stoplight.

Or, in my experience of being in and around exotic cars, super-cars do most of their best 'racing' standing still. As in, you only have to leave them parked, and attention to the 'fastest car' in their eyes is drawn immediately; the str on the other hand, i'm sure catches most people by surprise, as its very unassuming, and like the COBRA op described racing, was clearly SHOCKED at how fast this dated looking luxury sports sedan can actually go!

 

I actually find the S type's looks to have worn very well. It still looks current and had my Dad not already had one I may have considered a S-type over my current E-Class.

GT42R... you make some additional good points about super cars. They do look fast even standing still.

 

no

 

what year cobra?

 

Chris, your experience with the Stang is real to several STR owners. Not to sound like a broken record regarding the STR's internals...One may look at it this way: The 4.2 is like a debored, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder 4.6 Cobra motor. On the low end of a race between the two is the STR's 200 lb weight disadvantage (STR 3995 vs Cobra 3800 lbs.), and wears 2.89 rear cogs to the Cobra's 3.27's. However, a critical advantage advantage for the STR is boost and when it comes in. The Cobra comes with 8 lbs vs the STR's 13 lbs. The STR's stock pulley is the Cobra's smallest. In a foot race the lighter Cobra with its 6 speed manual and 3.27's leaves first. Midway the STR's superior boost and midrange/top end gear will get her through the mile before the Cobra. My STR wears the 3 lb pulley and hi-flow cats. It'll take a stock Cobra off the line and throughout. Your experience was "real".

 

No, not a supercar.

Back in Oz, we called big four-door saloons with big motors Muscle Cars.

I realise that it has a connotation to the old muscle cars from the 60's & 70's, however the principle of a muscle car is that it's a "peoples car with a big engine"

Super Cars; Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani, McLaren, etc...maybe Aston's? (hint, two doors!)
Sports Cars; Anything from Porsche down to a Mazda MX-5 (again, two doors!)
GT's; Astons, Maseratis, the two-door AMG Mercs, BMW M6, etc...
Sports Saloons; BMW M5, Audi RS6/8, four-door AMG Mercs (notice they are all german?)
Muscle Cars; Anything designed & built in the US, Australia, with a V8 & rear wheel drive.

Just my opinion...you could add more categories if you wanted.

I see the STR (and the XJR) falling into the Muscle Car category, cause they certainly aint german!

 

STR is a luxury sedan with a performance package - so I'd vote "luxury sports sedan" as well.

Muscle Car to me carries with it a connotation of a lack of handling and top end, but a heaping helping of low end grunt, go fast-go straight, and somewhat flamboyant looks. Not sure the STR fits. The principle of a "Muscle Car" I think at its root is a cheap car with a big engine stuffed in it. That's just my perception Cambo351 - I can certainly see your points as well.

Not a "supercar" by my definition either. Although it could out-perform some in certain limited aspects perhaps.

 

I guess I have to agree with you guys and thanks for the definitions. It may not be a "super car", but I totally wish you guys could have seen the expression on the face of the guy driving the Cobra. I believe it was an "06 to mayba an '08....not sure. I know one thing, the look was "PRICELESS".

Bfsgross, I'd really like to hear about your mods....if that's not too much to ask. I want to do something with my STR. I'd like to do it in stages though, a little at a time. Any recommendations on what I should do first? Thanks buddy.

 

It's pretty hard to argue that an S-Type is a 'supercar' when lowly a Hyundai sedan comes with a 5 liter V8 putting out 429 HP- without a supercharger. Not to mention an 8 speed transmission.

 

A lot has changed in ten years. Ford's stock coyote 5.0 has the same output as the hyundai. In 2003, the mustang gt had a 260hp 4.6 liter, hence my point.

 

In my opinion any vehicle that can hit the 200mph mark is built well enough to be a super car.