Sedan

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia

A Ford Taurus, one of the most recognizable sedans built to date.

The Ford Five Hundred, a large sedan introduced for 2005.

A sedan car, American English terminology, is one of the most common configurations of the modern automobile, often having, but not limited to, a four-door passenger compartment between the lower hood, covering the engine in the front, and the lower trunk at the rear. There are 2-door versions of sedans as well. The most identifying features of a sedan are door-glass frames and a center "post" (also called a B-pillar) supporting the roof and dividing the door windows from the rear quarter windows.

In British English the configuration is called a saloon and has its engine under the bonnet at the front, and a boot for luggage at the rear.

In Australia and New Zealand, the American term is now used, albeit with the British terms of boot and bonnet being retained. In other languages sedans are known as Limousine (German), Berline (French), Berlina (Spanish and Italian). These terms, besides sedan, derive from types of horse-drawn carriages.

Sedan bodystyles on smaller cars are now less popular after the revolution of the hatchback during the 1970s, although many hatchbacks also form the basis of sedans. The first major European manufacturer to phase out sedans in favour of hatchbacks was Renault, who invented the hatchback (Renault 4) in 1965. Citroën has not made any sedans since the 2CV ceased production in 1990. However, the C5, which replaced the Xantia, is only available in sedan and estate (station wagon) bodystyles. Sedan bodystyles are still used on almost all large cars.

See also

• Car body style