Difference between revisions of "2 plus 2 (car body style)"

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#redirect [[2 plus 2]]
[[Image:Sonett-mk2-special.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Saab Sonett|SAAB Sonett]] mk2 equipped with a rear seat making it a 2 plus 2 or 2+2.]]
 
The term '''2+2''' or 2 plus 2 (pronounced '''two plus two''', without emphasis) is a phrase used to describe the configuration of a car with seating for ''two'' passengers up front, ''plus two'' smaller seats for occasional passengers in the rear. The reason they only have 2 rear seats rather than 3, is that they are usually [[FR_layout|front-engined, rear wheel drive]] with low-bodies. This causes the drive shaft to make the middle of the rear seats unusable. The [[Porsche 911]] is a [[RR_layout|rear engined, rear wheel drive]], but loses space in the rear due to its wheel arches, reducing the space to 2 passengers.
 
 
 
Many vehicles may fall into the definition, and there is no official body offering a strict definition, but cars called 2+2s tend to have
 
* only space for a maximum of 2 rear passengers rather than 3;
 
* a more sporting nature than the average vehicle (at least in theory);
 
* [[coupé]] bodies;
 
* 2 doors (although sources conflict on this);
 
Many [[convertible]], [[targa top]] and [[hatchbacks]] cars are strictly within this definition, but are rarely called 2+2s.
 
 
 
Few cars have ever been specifically marketed as 2+2s — most prominent are the classic 1964-73 [[Ford Mustang]] [[Fastback|Fastbacks]], [[Jaguar E-type]] fixed-head [[coupé]] 2+2, the [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]] [[Lotus Elan|Elan]] +2, the [[Nissan 300ZX]] 2+2 and the various [[Pontiac]] 2+2 models, including the aerodynamic [[Pontiac Grand Prix|Grand Prix]] of [[NASCAR]] fame.
 
 
 
While the "plus two" seats in the back are generally not very spacious, they may be effective in bringing down the owner's insurance premium, and are sometimes suitable for children or a dog.
 
 
 
'''Variations'''
 
 
 
The [[TVR Cerbera]] has it front passenger seated slightly forward to allow more room for a passenger in the back as well as having very large side doors to make access to the rear seats easier.
 
 
 
The [[Mazda RX-8]] has 2 "half-doors" to make access to the back to the rear seats easier.
 
 
 
===Recent car designs available in a 2+2 version===
 
:''These are examples, and are not intended to represent a complete list.''
 
* [[Aston Martin DB9]]
 
* [[Ferrari 612 Scaglietti]]
 
* [[Nissan 300ZX]]
 
* [[Porsche 911]]
 
* [[Maserati Gran Turismo]] Coupé
 
* [[Mitsubishi 3000GT]]
 
* [[Ford Mustang]]
 
* [[Mazda RX-7]]
 
* [[Mazda RX-8]]
 
* [[Chevrolet Camaro]]
 
 
 
==See also==
 
* [[Car body style]] and particularly:
 
** [[Coupé]]
 
** [[Targa top]]
 
** [[Grand tourer]]
 
** [[Sports car]]
 
 
 
[[Category:Car classifications]]
 
[[Category:Car body styles]]
 

Latest revision as of 20:17, 27 September 2009

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