The car body that someone chooses when purchasing a vehicle suits their specific needs. Because everyone has a purpose for which they purchase their specific type of car. For example, luxury, multi-purpose and multi-utility vehicles.
Car body types assume different names that change from one country to another. For example, hatchbacks, sedans and vans. Despite this difference in names, there are parts of the vehicle body that each one of them possess.
The vehicle body seems to be the main structure onto which all parts are attached. However, the vehicle frame supporting structure is usually the chassis as it holds all the car parts.
The first thing that is noticeable about a vehicle is the car exterior or the car styling shape it assumes according to its bodywork. This is the easiest method of differentiating one type of vehicle from the other.
Todays article looks into the car body parts and the different types of vehicles based on their types of vehicle body styling. When talking about cars, we are referring to all the types of passenger vehicles.
Car body parts.
These are the parts that go into the automotive design structure. Manufacturers change the auto bodywork of these parts for each new model they launch.
1. Body shell.
The body rests on the chassis and it hosts all components inclusive of seats, mechanical parts, accessories and electric components. Most car customization that starts with the body shell aims at improving aesthetics and aerodynamics.
These are services that you will find at different auto body shops that offers car detailing and auto body repair. Further, they also offer installation of vehicle body kits.
Additionally, the vehicle body shell supports weight and it is at the core of each automotive design.
2. Bumper grille.
The bumper grille is at the front part of the vehicle body. Since technology has come a log way, the bumper grille has undergone a lot of transformations especially after the introduction of electric cars.
Apart from aesthetics, the bumper grille plays a number of roles especially on vehicles which have an engine at the front end. For example, engine cooling by allowing free flow of air into the engine.
Secondly, the bumper grille also plays the role of protection. In that it prevents any harm from coming to the radiator and other engine parts by preventing debris from reaching them.
Lastly, manufacturers use the front bumper as an opportunity for branding. In which case you will be able to know the car’s manufacturer based on the logo on their bumper.
3. Cowl panel.
This is the part found at the base of the windshield. It acts as a border that covers the gap between the windshield and the hood.
It serves the role of channeling water that drains from the windshield to the vehicle drainage system. Hence preventing the water from entering the vehicle and causing damage.
Secondly, it allows air to enter the vehicle cabin for air conditioning purposes.
4. Doors.
They allow someone to gain access to the vehicle cabin. Modern technology has changed how the vehicle doors grant access. Whereby some don’t have door knobs.
Secondly, car doors play several other roles that are inclusive of security and protection, noise reduction as well as aesthetics.
5. Front and rear bumpers.
You will find the front bumper below the grille. The main purpose that it plays include absorption of impact during collision. Therefore protecting the engine and the vehicle’s occupants.
Alternatively, the rear bumper is at the back of the car below the trunk. However this doesn’t change its role which involves impact absorbtion.
Another role includes enhancing vehicle aesthetics. Especially after undertaking car modifications. Though remember that some of these modifications affect insurance premiums.
6. Fender.
This is the part of the vehicle frame that covers the wheel well. One of its main function is to ensure that the revolving tires don’t harm the car paint work by throwing debris.
Additionally, fenders also improve vehicle aerodynamics. Through a smooth streamlined surface that reduces resistance to the wind flow around the wheel.
Types of car body styling.
The car body styling largely affects someone’s decision when they’re purchasing a car. Let’s classify vehicles according to their body styling.
1. Sedan.
This is a passenger car that has four doors that grant access to the passenger cabin. The passenger cabin has two rows of seats. That is the front where the driver sits alongside one passenger a rear row.
Additionally the sedan has a separate trunk compartment for luggage storage. Further, they are available in different sizes. for example, small, compact, mid size and full size sedans.
Sedans have a design that is known as a three-box car body style. This includes a trunk, passenger compartment and an engine area.
2. Hatchback.
This vehicle frame design varies from the sedan in relation to the flip-up hatch door that gives access to the trunk compartment. For example, the Volkswagen golf models.
Additionally, the hatchbacks vary from sedans because the hatchbacks have an integration of the rear window with the tailgate. However, sedans have a separate trunk compartment.
The trunk space of hatchbacks accommodates more luggage than the sedans. Further, the hatches car body style has spread to larger vehicles.
3. Coupe.
The coupe car body styling usually has two doors. Additionally, it has a solid or fixed roof that has a slopping rear roofline. Thus acquiring a sporty vehicle frame.
Despite coupes having two doors, their passenger compartments are flexible as to the number of seat rows. Some have only one row of seats while others have two rows to accommodate more people.
Traditionally, the coupe was a two door car but in recent years, manufacturers have started to produce four door coupes. Simply by integrating the sloping rear roofline on their vehicle frames.
Coupes are built with a focus on performance.
4. Station wagon.
The vehicle frame has a longer roofline in comparison to the coupe, sedan, hatchbacks and some other car body styles. Additionally, instead of the normal trunk door, they have a hatch door at the rear.
Further, their trunk compartment is much more extensive from the passenger compartment. This gives them the ability to carry more bulky luggage.
In fact, some of these car styles feature folding rear seats in order to offer more luggage room. A station wagon’s vehicle frame adopts a three-box car body style.
Station wagons are among small cars that have high ground clearance. This makes them more like the sport utility vehicles [SUV]. But they are closer to sedans than SUVs.
5. Sports car.
This vehicle frame design is built with speed, agility and high performance in mind. Including a touch of luxury in relation to the driving experience it offers.
Sports cars usually have two seats though some manufacturers produce sports cars that have a rear set of passenger seats.
They have low vehicle ground clearance. This means that their suspension system parts are of high quality for better vehicle handling during high speed and for comfort.
6. Sport Utility vehicles.
Their main feature involves the high sitting position that they offer. Additionally, their size ranges between small crossovers to full size models.
When compared to sedans, they are more spacious in relation to the number of passengers and the luggage size they accommodate.
Further, most SUVs have the four wheel drive feature for traction and stability when driving over muddy and slippery terrain. Additionally, their trunk is accessible through a hatch door.
7. Convertible.
A convertible is a very unique car body design whose roof retracts back into the body. Therefore leaving the passenger compartment open.
There are some convertibles whose roof is taken off completely. Though this leaves them exposed to rain water and wind noise.
They have a two to four passenger sitting compartment. This depends on the manufacturer and the vehicle model.
Further, convertibles offer performance enhancement features with their powerful engines. In addition to this, they offer high handling features for safety during high speeds.
8. Minivans.
Minivans are designed to accommodate a large number of passengers and a large amount of cargo. Their doors include a sliding door that gives access to the passenger sitting compartment.
Additionally, the have a flip-up rear door which gives access to the trunk for luggage storage. In fact, their rear seat rows allow folding in order to increase the trunk space.