European Cars: Why do we love them?

In the arena of high-performance cars, there are two clear leaders: the cars of America and those of Europe. While there are commonalities between the two, there are many differences that set European cars apart from their American counterparts. When most people think of American automobiles, they think of old Detroit classics such as the Corvette and the Mustang. However, when someone thinks of a European sports car, they usually think of names like Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Here are some differences between European and American cars, and some reasons why people like European cars so much.

It's All About Speed

There has been long-standing debate about which type of cars are faster. American classic cars are made of steel, and are very heavy in most cases. They have very powerful engines, but the engine has to work hard to pull them down the road. People like European cars because they are usually lighter, being made of aluminum or fiberglass bodies. European sports cars are set low to the ground; air flows over them and reduces drag. Because European cars are engineered so well, the motor doesn't have to be as powerful in order to produce equivalent results.

Performance Counts, Too

People also love European cars because of their great handling on both straightaways and curves; European sports cars are equally at home on the road and the track. As we mentioned, they are lighter and therefore can more easily hug the curves of the roads they travel. That's in contrast to an American high-performance vehicle, which usually has a heavy rear axle, beefed-up suspension and wide tires.

Holding Up Under Pressure

Safety is a big concern for European car makers; because European cars are typically smaller and lighter, they stand a greater chance of sustaining serious damage in an accident. However, various engineering steps are taken in order to increase crashworthiness and stability. European cars are loved just as much for their safety as they are their performance.

Fuel Mileage

Many of the world's car makers are trying to find ways to keep the mileage per gallon as high as possible, while not sacrificing power and speed. European cars are no exception; people that love them don't love them for their gas mileage, they love them for their performance aspects. However, there are European cars that get far better mileage than their American counterparts.

Reliability and Longevity

With European engineering advantages, it's not at all unusual to find cars that have more than 200,000 miles. Sports cars need more maintenance due to the stressful conditions they are often subjected to. However, more expensive European car models (such as Mercedes and Porsche) can last that long with proper upkeep.

While people the world over love American cars for their raw power and classic style, there is a lot to be said for European cars. Their solid engineering, comparable fuel mileage, safety and performance provide a lot of reasons to love them. To experience the love yourself, get behind the wheel of a European car today!