Coupé facts for kids

A coupé (pronounced "koo-PAY") is a type of car. It usually has a fixed roof and two doors. The word "coupé" comes from the French word couper, which means "to cut." This name was first used for a type of horse-drawn carriage that looked like a regular carriage with the back part "cut off." Today, coupés are often seen as sporty and stylish cars.

What Makes a Car a Coupé?

A coupé is generally known for its sleek design. It typically has two doors and a roof that doesn't fold down. This fixed roof gives the car a strong, sporty look. Many coupés are designed to feel fast and fun to drive. They often have a lower roofline and a more sloped rear window than other cars.

The Classic Coupé Look

The most common idea of a coupé is a car with:

• Two doors: This is a key feature that sets it apart from sedans, which usually have four doors.
• A fixed roof: Unlike convertibles, the roof of a coupé cannot be opened.
• A sporty feel: Coupés are often built for performance and a thrilling driving experience.

Why "Coupé"?

The name "coupé" has an interesting history. It started with horse-drawn carriages in the 18th century. A "coupé" carriage was like a regular carriage but had its rear seats "cut off." This made it a smaller, two-person carriage. When cars were invented, the term was used for similar two-door car designs.

History of Coupés

The idea of a coupé has changed a lot over the years. It started with carriages and then moved to early cars.

From Carriages to Cars

In the early 1900s, cars began to replace carriages. Car makers started using the term "coupé" for cars that had a closed body and two doors. These early coupés were often luxurious and stylish.

Evolving Definitions

Over time, the definition of a coupé became more flexible. Car companies sometimes used the name "coupé" for cars that didn't perfectly fit the two-door, fixed-roof rule. This was often to make a car sound more sporty or fancy.

Different Kinds of Coupés

You might hear about different types of coupés, especially from older cars:

• Business Coupé: These cars often had a large trunk or space behind the front seats for carrying samples or tools.
• Club Coupé: These had a small back seat, usually for occasional passengers.
• Opera Coupé: These cars had a small, folding seat in the back, sometimes called an "opera seat."

Modern Coupés

Today, the term "coupé" is still popular. Many sports cars are coupés. However, some car makers now use the term for cars that have more than two doors.

Four-Door Coupés

Some modern cars are called "four-door coupés." These cars have four doors but keep the sleek, sloped roofline of a traditional coupé. They try to combine the style of a coupé with the practicality of a sedan. An example is the Mazda RX-8.

Hatchback Coupés

Some cars with a hatchback design are also marketed as coupés, especially if they have a sporty, two-door look. The Volkswagen Scirocco is an example of a car with coupé-inspired styling and a hatchback.

2017 Ford Mustang, a classic example of a modern coupé.

The Infiniti Q60 is a luxury coupé.

Images for kids

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  1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

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  Example of a coupe carriage

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  A 1936 Packard One-Twenty business coupe

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  1976 Volkswagen Scirocco, a 3-door hatchback with coupe-inspired styling

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  1974–1978 AMC Matador coupe

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  1937 Buick 37 46S - an opera coupe

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  1932 Ford Model 18 - a three-window coupe

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  A 1946 Ford V8 - a club coupe.

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  1978–1987 Saab 900 marketed as a combi coupe

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  2010 Mazda RX-8 - marketed as a four-door coupe

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  1961 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta - a Berlinetta coupe

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  1948 Bentley coupe de ville

See also

In Spanish: Cupé para niños