Scissor doors, also known as Lambo doors, are an automotive design feature characterized by doors that rotate vertically at a fixed hinge at the front of the door, rather than outward as with a conventional door.
The term “Lambo doors” is derived from the Lamborghini Miura, which featured doors of this type. Scissor doors have since been found on other high-performance cars, although the mechanism itself has been used on buses, airplanes, and helicopters as well.
The benefits of scissor doors are increased ease of entry/exit, improved aerodynamics and, when fully open, a large opening for passengers or cargo. However, they require more floorspace clearance, and have a greater risk of obstruction when being opened.
They can also be difficult or impossible to open in tight spaces. Furthermore, they increase the cost, complexity and weight of the structure due to the extra hinges, support arms and other additional parts.
Why are butterfly doors called butterfly doors?
Butterfly doors, or dihedral doors, are named because they resemble the wings of a butterfly when both doors are opened at the same time. These doors were first seen on the McLaren F1 in 1993 and have since been used in many high-performance cars.
The doors open in a scissor-like motion, rather than swinging out like traditional doors, allowing for easier exit and entry from the car. The dihedral shape of the door gives it stability and makes it less likely to swing out of control during opening.
It also makes entering and exiting the vehicle safer and more stable than with traditional hinges. The butterfly doors are very popular among race car drivers, as they allow for a greater range of motion when entering and exiting the vehicle during pitstop maneuvers.
What is the meaning of butterfly doors?
Butterfly doors, also known as ‘lift-off’ doors, are doors that open outwards and upwards — ‘butterfly’ style — rather than the standard in-and-up style of conventional vehicle doors. They often feature small wings on the side of the car that point in the same direction as the vehicle.
In most designs, the winged portion of the door overlaps the roof and also opens in one motion.
The advantage of butterfly doors is that they provide easier access to the interior of the vehicle and allow passengers to get in and out much more easily, even in tight spaces. This can be of great value in urban areas where parking spots tend to be crowded and difficult to access.
Additionally, butterfly doors open outwards which can also be beneficial in certain situations — for example, where a user has to be seated close to a wall.
Their larger opening also provides advantages for 4wd enthusiasts and off-roaders who often use the vehicles for various tasks in muddy terrain, allowing the user to access a wide area from the car’s interior.
Butterfly doors can be found both in modern and exotic cars, ranging from supercars to luxury models. Examples include the Lamborghini Murcielago and Aventador models, Tesla Model X, and Mercedes-Benz SLS.
Are butterfly doors practical?
Whether or not butterfly doors are practical is a matter of personal preference and the specific circumstances of the vehicle in which they are used. Butterfly doors definitely look stylish and can add a bit of flair to vehicles, so they can be a great choice for those looking to personalize their ride.
On the other hand, the hinged doors that open up vertically have a few practical drawbacks, including the fact that they can be uncomfortable to get into or out of the vehicle because they require you to climb up higher than with a traditional door design.
Additionally, some people find that they can be inconvenient because of the way they open – since the two doors are typically connected, you can’t just open one door at a time. Finally, depending on the setup of the wings, the doors may be more susceptible to damage in tight spaces or if the vehicle is parked in an area with a lot of foot traffic.
Who invented scissor doors?
The concept of scissor doors has been around since the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that they truly gained prominence as a design element for cars. Lamborghini was the first to feature them on their famous Countach model in 1974.
The scissor doors opened in a vertical arc, allowing for ease of entry and exit from the car, as well as gaining the attention of the public. This was a welcome change from their contemporaries, which still featured more traditional doors that opened horizontally outwards.
Lamborghini’s designs became famous for their fashion statements and opened the door for other manufacturers to produce their own takes on the concept.
The modern design of scissor doors is credited to automotive designer Marcello Gandini and engineer Paolo Stanzani. During the 1970s and 1980s, they were a form of status symbols that accentuated the beauty of luxury cars and created a daring and unique look.
Today, a range of both low-end and high-end cars feature variations of scissor doors. They can be seen in car shows and movies, presenting a unique and impressive look that has become a classic of automotive design.
What is the purpose of gull-wing doors?
Gull-wing doors—also known as falcon-wing doors—are an iconic design feature that has been featured on a variety of classic cars. The purpose of these doors is to provide a unique styling element while also providing improved access to the vehicle’s interior.
The most common application of these doors is on two-door coupes and sedans. These doors feature two hinges along the roof side and an additional hinge at the base of the A pillar, which allows them to open outward and up rather than outward and back.
This makes for easier access to the rear seats and also allows for easier access to the engine compartment, depending on the particular design. Additionally, the doors have been developed to improve aerodynamic performance, as this will reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
Above all else, the purpose of gull-wing doors is to create a vehicle that stands out from the rest.
Can any car have butterfly doors?
Yes, any car can have butterfly doors, provided they are modified to do so. Butterfly doors are door hinges that enable a door to open both outward and upward, similar to wings of a butterfly. Cars with butterfly doors are typically seen on high-end sports cars and luxury cars, because door modification is an expensive and time-consuming process.
Specialized conversion kits and other custom mechanisms are required to enable a vehicle to have butterfly doors. Installing butterfly doors also means reinforcing the door frame and body, to ensure that the car can support the doors’ movements.
Additionally, conversions must be approved by local laws and regulations, and must comply with the original manufacturer’s safety standards. Depending on the make and model of a car, installing butterfly doors can be a complicated undertaking, and is usually recommended for experienced auto mechanics and engineers.
Are butterfly doors and Lambo Doors the same?
No, they are not the same. Butterfly doors and Lambo doors are both considered designs of scissor doors, but they have a few key differences. Butterfly doors are usually seen on mid-engine cars and have an outward-opening door with a hinge at the center of the door that allows the door to be opened in a sweeping, outward motion.
Lambo doors, on the other hand, have the same outward-opening design but the hinge is located lower on the door, near the bottom edge. This lets the doors rise and rotate up and out, making a more dramatic entry.
Lambo doors are more commonly seen on high-end cars and SUVs and are often found on exotics and luxury vehicles.
What are the doors on McLaren called?
The doors on McLaren cars are known as “scissor doors” or “dihedral doors”. The doors were originally designed for the McLaren F1, with the company claiming that they occupy “less space when openthan conventional doors and require less time to open and close”.
The doors open vertically, with the hinges located at the front of the door, while the rear of the doors remains in line with the body of the car. This system is used on all road-going McLarens, including the more recent 720S and 720S Spider models, as well as their race cars.
In addition to providing a unique look, the dihedral doors provide the driver and passengers with easy access to the car, especially for those of shorter stature.