What's So Special About These Cars

[Carbon82]

At every car show or new model introduction, auto manufacturers would always come out with a long list, stating the unique features of their cars, but many a times, these features might just be forgotten over time, or simply taken for granted. These features may be a real technology break through (e.g. engine, gearbox, safety, etc.), or mechanical / electrical (e.g. spoiler, door opening mechanism, head / tail light, etc.).

 

To kick start, anyone still can recall the following terminology?

- Twin Door

- Bi-Modal Trunk

- Waku Waku Gate

 

Sounds familiar? or are they aliens to you? or you think you know something about it?

 

Well these are fanciful names given to boot / trunk / tailgate that open in more than 1 way.

 

 

Twin Door by Skoda

When the 2nd generation Skoda Superb was unveiled in 2008, the car come with many wow factors. But the one that really standout, at least to me, is the dual opening boot lid. It feel just like a small magic show, to see the 4 door sedan opening up it boot in 2 fashion, one like a typical sedan, and the other like a sport back. And after owning one for close to 4.5 years, I can attest to the usefulness of this feature, that ever allowed me to fit in up to 4x 24 - 28" language at one go, and even transporting a 3ft fish tank with the rear seats in-place (not folded). 

 

 

 

Bi-Modal Trunk by BMW

Shortly after the Skoda Superb go on sales in early 2009, BMW follow suit with it own version of dual opening mechanism on the 5 series Gran Turismo Concept (which later debut as the love or hate it 5 GT), and give it the name Bi-Modal Trunk, which sound a little more sophisticated than the Czech brand. While it offer the same flexibility of a hatch back when opened in full (sport back mode), it offer much less practicality when opened in sedan mode, due to it limited access to the boot via the tiny yet wide opening boot lid.

 

 

 

Waku Waku Gate by Honda

The dual opening mechanism seems very much forgotten till 2015, when Honda introduce it on the new JDM Stepwagon, and somewhat take this concept to the next level, by allowing the tailgate to be used by passenger to access into the last row of the MPV!

 

 

 

All are welcome to post the unique features of your car(s), or what you have came across.

 

Up next, what are so special about these MPVs, Nissan Prairie, Toyota Raum and Toyota Isis?  

Edited May 8, 2017 by Carbon82

[SuPerBoRed]

 

Mazda FunTop.. 

[Beehive3783]

It is useful for those who don't like to drive hatchbacks or wagons, and yet want the flexibility to load bulky cargo once in a while that won't fit through the boot opening of a conventional sedan.

[Watwheels]

Sedans are getting boring mah. That's why Lexus says unless sedans evolve or they will die. See MyAutoBlog section. http://www.mycarforum.com/blog/12/entry-4889-lexus-believes-sedans-will-die-off-unless-they-evolve/

 

The stepwagon is about making an mpv exciting I think. But it still look van ish.

 

It's not easy to reinvent the wheel. Repackaging still do-able though.

[Mockngbrd]

BMW with indicator stalk option... not like anybody will use it



 

[Watwheels]

When it comes to signal Ferrari do it best. BMW put it left where most drivers are right master handed making it awkward to use. Of course nobody use. Try PCC with your left hand if you are right handed. Feels awkward. That's why I think BMW engineers are left-handed wankers.

 

[Sunny]

i only know car dealers here in Singapore are quite special

 

 

sell them high coe cars..they said will take in car price low ...cos high coe

 

sell them low coe cars..they said will take in car price low...cos low coe

 

they are very special lolx

 

 

[Volvobrick]

The twin mode trunks add unnecessary weight and complication without obvious advantage compared to a one-piece liftback.

 

Honda's door does have some added usefulness though (when closing from the inside).

[Volvobrick]

When it comes to signal Ferrari do it best. BMW put it left where most drivers are right master handed making it awkward to use. Of course nobody use. Try PCC with your left hand if you are right handed. Feels awkward. That's why I think BMW engineers are left-handed wankers.

Conti cars have the (unused anyway!) signal stalks on the left is because the driver needs to change gear with the right hand for manual cars.  Japanese RHD cars are the opposite.

 

However it is too much engineering work for conti cars to move the stalk to the right for RHD cars.

[13177]

When it comes to signal Ferrari do it best. BMW put it left where most drivers are right master handed making it awkward to use. Of course nobody use. Try PCC with your left hand if you are right handed. Feels awkward. That's why I think BMW engineers are left-handed wankers.

 

Thought many cars nowadays signal is on the left? Even korean cars also become like this de?!

[Lala81]

Personally in my own car, I'm a big fan of just depressing or elevating the stalk lightly and get the 3-4 blinks to indicate lane change. 

[Soya]

i only know car dealers here in Singapore are quite special

 

 

sell them high coe cars..they said will take in car price low ...cos high coe

 

sell them low coe cars..they said will take in car price low...cos low coe

 

they are very special lolx

They are magicians in creating value.

 

Something they themselves say low value can suddenly become very high value right after they touch it.

[Jamesc]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chey BMW copy Skoda

 

[Jamesc]

BMW with indicator stalk option... not like anybody will use it

 

 

 

 

Like they also never use the brake at a pedestrian crossing.

 

 

 

[Tianmo]

When it comes to signal Ferrari do it best. BMW put it left where most drivers are right master handed making it awkward to use. Of course nobody use. Try PCC with your left hand if you are right handed. Feels awkward. That's why I think BMW engineers are left-handed wankers.

 

 

Isnt the signal stick on the left for almost all conti cars and American cars? Even Hyundai has changed from right to left.

[Xefera]

Conti cars have the (unused anyway!) signal stalks on the left is because the driver needs to change gear with the right hand for manual cars.  Japanese RHD cars are the opposite.

 

However it is too much engineering work for conti cars to move the stalk to the right for RHD cars.

 

me think either (1) the driver is a wannabe racer, and places his left hand constantly on the gear lever, or (2) his left hand is too busy fidgeting whatever and has no time for the indicator stalk. 

[Carbon82]

Anyone ever noticed that Toyota Isis has a wider than usual opening to the rear seats (on it left in particular)?

 

 

No, it does not have the funky coupe door like the Hyundai Veloster, BUT a "missing" B-pillar! Toyota call it the Panoramic Door (just like a panoramic roof that allow you to have a wider vision of what is on top), and the main advantage is the much easier access to / egress from the 2nd & 3rd row of seats.

 

 

The same concept was also deployed on the 5 seater Toyota Raum.

 

 

The pioneer of such door are actually NOT Toyota, but Nissan. It was put into production in it 1981 Nissan Prairie. Too bad there seems no newer vehicle with such practical feature...

 

Edited May 9, 2017 by Carbon82

[Chowyunfatt]

Butterfly Doors ... *Got Wings* ... Can Fly ...

Edited May 9, 2017 by Chowyunfatt