Car Door Styles

Never knew getting in and out of your car can be done in so many different ways. Featuring all 10 styles from the real cars (the RS-Q is a real concept car): (From left-to-right, starting at top left)

Sliding doors (Peugeot 1007), sliding doors make parking easier as they require very little space beside the car, plus the nature of the design of the doors also make it easier to access anything inside as they open up much more than a conventional door

Gullwing (Mercedes 300SL), stemming from a nickname given to the 300SL due to it’s doors’ silhouette resembling a seagull’s wings. The signature design allows the doors to open upwards and slightly outwards. Mercedes engineers wanted to make the 300SLR as low to the ground as possible, but structural issues meant that the door hinges had to be moved to the roof for practicality.

Butterfly (Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster), described as having one hinge at the base of the A-pillar (below the windshield), and the other one at the top, or further towards the center of the roof like in the cases of the Ferrari Enzo and Mclaren F1. In recent times, the need for a second hinge at the top has faded as technology advanced enough for butterfly doors to open with only one hinge.

Dihedral synchro-helix actuation (Koenigsegg Agera), trademarked by Koenigsegg, it’s best described as moving in an outwards helical rotation.

Canopy (Sterling Nova), derived from the canopies of fighter planes.

Suicide (Rolls-Royce Wraith). In the old days, suicide doors were fitted specifically on early luxury cars (and carriages) as they were meant for the wealthy. This allowed for chauffeurs to open the rear door so that the women can exit with both legs together (as apposed to one at a time). They became known as suicide doors, due to the doors unsafe nature when opened at speed.

Swan (Aston Martin DB9), trademarked by Aston Martin, these doors swing outwards and slightly upwards to where the outer tip of the door is usually much higher than when closed.

Scissors (Lambo Aventador), trademarked by Lamborghini, these doors open upwards and forwards (and in recent times, slightly outwards). Named after the scissor-like action you get by closing the doors, they are not suitable for low ceilings.

Reverse-butterfly (Audi RS-Q), as the name explains, it’s identical to the regular butterfly doors with the exception of it being mirrored towards the rear.

and conventional style doors (Bugatti Galibier), nothing new you won’t already know about these.