Exercise 9. Read the text and mind the main types of a motor car body.

TYPES OF A MOTOR CAR BODY

The main purpose of a motor car body is to provide comfortable accommodation for a driver and passengers. With the introduction of unitary constructions, the body has become the main structure onto which all other vehicle elements are attached. Therefore, the body is both a load-bearing structure and a comfortable location for the occupants. There exist some body types of a motor car, such as saloon, estate, hatchback, coupe, convertible, etc.

Saloon is a fully enclosed body with either two or four passenger doors. The common shape of the saloon body is based on three ‘boxes’: the front box forms the engine compartment, the centre section is the container for the occupants and the rear box is a storage space, called a boot (trunk) for the luggage.

Estate (station wagon) has the roofline extended to the rear of the body to enlarge floor area for the carriage of luggage or goods. The rear door enables bulky or long objects to be loaded easily. Stronger suspension springs are fitted in the rear to support the extra load.

The hatchback design is usually based on a saloon body but with the boot or trunk area blended into the centre section of the body therefore the hatchback is halfway between a saloon and an estate car.

Coupe is usually two-door type intended for two people: a driver and one passenger. Some coupe models are designed ‘2 + 2’ but the back area is more suitable for children or for occasional adult use.

Convertible, also called cabriolet or drop-head coupe, can be changed into an open car by either removing a rigid roof or lowering a collapsible fabric roof.

The majority of mass-produced cars have a pressed steel body, although aluminium bodies are being used increasingly due to their lighter weight. Another common practice is to mould body panels from GRP (glass-reinforced plastics, often referred to as fibreglass). Other materials are also now used, such as carbon fibre, to produce body panels and structures.

Saloon

Estate (station wagon)

Hatchback

Coupe

Convertible

Exercise 10. Compile information about different car models or motor car components and participate in a project. Present the project to your group. You may use the following web sites: www.visualdictionaryonline.com, www.automotivecare.com

TEST 4

1. Choose the proper words and fill in the blanks.

1. A structure of a vehicle provides a … for all necessary vehicle systems.

A location B number C requirement D purpose

2. A motor car includes engine, chassis, and … .

A suspension B body C diesel D clutch

3. Transmission embraces …, gearbox, propeller shaft, etc.

A frame B brakes C clutch D rear axle

4. … systems are wheel steering and brake steering.

A Main B Major C Sufficient D Steering

5. Drive lines include ..., front and rear axles, etc.

A frame B gearbox C clutch D space

6. Suspension involves …, shock absorbers, and linkage.

A propeller shaft B springs C capacity D handling

7. For the RWD …, the rear wheels act as the driving wheels.

A space B linkage C spacing out D layout

8. In the … layout each unit is accessible.

A RWD B FWD C 4WD

9. Relatively light vehicle systems and components are located in a lightweight … construction.

A sufficient B unitary C usual D main

10. The frameless arrangement provides a … light construction to the motor car.

A isolated B driving C front D stiff

2. Fill in the blanks with the proper grammar forms.

1. The power of the engine … through the transmission and drive lines.

A is to be transmitted C is to transmit

B are to be transmitted D to be transmitted

2. The main purpose of a motor car … comfortable accommodation for occupants.

A is to be provided C provides

B provided D is to provide

3. Bulky equipment … easily into the estate body car.

A can load B can be loaded C can loaded D can be load

4. The hatchback design … on a saloon body.

A to be based B are based C is based D based

5. Cabriolet … into an open car.

A can change B can changed C can be change D can be changed

6. Aluminium bodies … due to their lighter weight.

A used B use C are being D are being used

7. Most mass-produced cars … a pressed steel body.

A have B is to have C has D having

8. Coupe models … as two-door models.

A have designed B have C to be designed D are designed

9. This construction … a box.

A resemble B resembles C resembling D are to resemble

10. Electrical power … to operate the motor car electrical and electronic equipment.

A needs B need C is needed D are needed