What does 'sport' mean when it appears on the car?

[LaJoanna]

When 'sport' appears on the car, it refers to a performance-oriented shifting mode set for automatic transmissions. In the S (sport) mode, the transmission can shift freely, but the shifting timing is delayed, allowing the engine to maintain higher RPMs for a longer period. This results in the car operating at lower gears with higher RPMs for an extended duration, thereby delivering greater torque output and acceleration. Another common mode is the P (park) mode, which is a special neutral gear that mechanically locks the transmission output shaft to secure the vehicle. Its function is to act as a parking brake, preventing the vehicle from moving. For practical safety reasons, car manufacturers place the P mode in the first position on the gear shift console and configure internal mechanisms to ensure that the car key can only be removed when the gear shift lever is moved to the P mode. Therefore, the P mode is specifically designed for parking and prolonged stops in automatic transmission vehicles.