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

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[[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.]]
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[[Image:Sonett-mk2-special.jpg|thumb|[[Saab Sonett|SAAB Sonett]] Mark II equipped with a rear seat, making it a 2+2.]]
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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.
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The term '''2+2''' (pronounced "two plus two") is a phrase used to describe the [[car classification|configuration]] of a [[automobile|car]] with seating for ''two'' passengers in the front, ''plus two'' smaller seats for occasional passengers (or children) in the rear.
  
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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  
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2+2s have only two rear seats rather than the more common three. Reasons for this include the fact that they may be sporty in nature and typically have a low roof line, wide wheel arches, and/or (because of being [[FR layout|front engined with rear-wheel drive]] or [[four-wheel drive]]) wide central transmission tunnels, the last of these being the most pressing problem for a third (middle) seat. The [[Porsche 911]] is a [[RR_layout|rear engined, rear wheel drive]], so lacks a large transmission tunnel, but loses space in the rear due to its wheel arches, reducing the space to 2 passengers.
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Space in the rear is most noticeably absent in terms of longitudinal leg-room. This is again often due to the low roof line, and other elements of body styling, in addition to large engine compartments and sometimes also large areas given over to the convertible roof in the case of a 2+2 [[convertible]].
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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;
 
* only space for a maximum of 2 rear passengers rather than 3;
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* a more sporting nature than the average vehicle (at least in theory);
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* a more sporting nature than the average vehicle;
 
* [[coupé]] bodies;
 
* [[coupé]] bodies;
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* 2 doors (although sources conflict on this);
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* two doors.
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Many [[convertible]], [[targa top]] and [[hatchbacks]] cars are strictly within this definition, but are rarely called 2+2s.
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Many [[convertible]], [[targa top]] and [[hatchback]] cars are strictly within this definition, but are rarely deemed 2+2s.
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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.
 
  
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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.
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Few cars have ever been specifically marketed as 2+2s &mdash; most prominent are the classic [[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.<!--Please do not add cars to this section unless they actually were MARKETED as 2+2.-->
  
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'''Variations'''
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===Variations===
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The [[TVR Cerbera]] has its 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.
  
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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.
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The [[Mazda RX-8]] has two small "half-length" rear [[suicide doors|suicide doors]] to make access to the back seats easier.
  
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The [[Mazda RX-8]] has 2 "half-doors" to make access to the back to the rear seats easier.
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==Examples of cars available in a 2+2 version==
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===Recent car designs available in a 2+2 version===
 
 
:''These are examples, and are not intended to represent a complete list.''
 
:''These are examples, and are not intended to represent a complete list.''
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<!--Please don't add marginal examples, nor every new 2+2 that comes along.-->
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* [[Aston Martin DB7]]
 
* [[Aston Martin DB9]]
 
* [[Aston Martin DB9]]
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* [[Ferrari 612 Scaglietti]]
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* [[Aston Martin Vanquish]]
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* [[Chevrolet Camaro]]
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* [[Ferrari Mondial]]
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* [[Ferrari 456M GT]]
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* [[Ford Mustang]]
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* [[Honda Prelude]]
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* [[Infiniti G35]] Coupé
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* [[Jaguar E-Type]] 2+2
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* [[Jaguar XJS]]
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* [[Jaguar XK]]
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* [[Lotus Evora]]
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* [[Maserati Ghibli]] II Coupé
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* [[Maserati Gran Turismo]] Coupé
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* [[Mazda RX-7]]
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* [[MGB|MGB GT]]
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* [[Mitsubishi Eclipse]]
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* [[Mitsubishi 3000GT]]
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* [[Nissan 240SX]]
 
* [[Nissan 300ZX]]
 
* [[Nissan 300ZX]]
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* [[Nissan GT-R]]
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* [[Pontiac Firebird]]
 
* [[Porsche 911]]
 
* [[Porsche 911]]
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* [[Maserati Gran Turismo]] Coupé
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* [[Porsche 968]]
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* [[Mitsubishi 3000GT]]
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* [[TVR Cerbera]]  
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* [[Ford Mustang]]
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* [[Volvo 1800]]
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* [[Mazda RX-7]]
 
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* [[Mazda RX-8]]
 
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* [[Chevrolet Camaro]]
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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** [[Grand tourer]]
 
** [[Grand tourer]]
 
** [[Sports car]]
 
** [[Sports car]]
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* [[Car classification]]
  
 
[[Category:Car classifications]]
 
[[Category:Car classifications]]
 
[[Category:Car body styles]]
 
[[Category:Car body styles]]

Revision as of 12:33, 10 March 2009

SAAB Sonett Mark II equipped with a rear seat, making it a 2+2.

The term 2+2 (pronounced "two plus two") is a phrase used to describe the configuration of a car with seating for two passengers in the front, plus two smaller seats for occasional passengers (or children) in the rear.

2+2s have only two rear seats rather than the more common three. Reasons for this include the fact that they may be sporty in nature and typically have a low roof line, wide wheel arches, and/or (because of being front engined with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive) wide central transmission tunnels, the last of these being the most pressing problem for a third (middle) seat. The Porsche 911 is a rear engined, rear wheel drive, so lacks a large transmission tunnel, but loses space in the rear due to its wheel arches, reducing the space to 2 passengers.

Space in the rear is most noticeably absent in terms of longitudinal leg-room. This is again often due to the low roof line, and other elements of body styling, in addition to large engine compartments and sometimes also large areas given over to the convertible roof in the case of a 2+2 convertible.

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;
  • coupé bodies;
  • two doors.

Many convertible, targa top and hatchback cars are strictly within this definition, but are rarely deemed 2+2s.

Few cars have ever been specifically marketed as 2+2s — most prominent are the classic Jaguar E-type fixed-head coupé 2+2, the Lotus Elan +2, the Nissan 300ZX 2+2 and the various Pontiac 2+2 models, including the aerodynamic Grand Prix of NASCAR fame.

Variations

The TVR Cerbera has its 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 two small "half-length" rear suicide doors to make access to the back seats easier.

Examples of cars available in a 2+2 version

These are examples, and are not intended to represent a complete list.

See also

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