This post will answer those questions and more. Keep reading to learn more about this interesting automotive feature.
Suicide doors are a type of door often seen on older vehicles, where the rear doors are hinged at the back instead of the front. This allows for not only a unique feature, but a larger opening for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle.
Suicide Door Dangers
However, suicide doors can also be dangerous, as they can easily be opened by accident or if the vehicle is involved in a collision. For this reason, many newer cars have done away with suicide doors in favor of more traditional designs.
That said, some automakers have revived the style in recent years, offering it as an optional extra on specific models. Whether or not suicide doors are suitable for you is ultimately a matter of personal preference.
The Future of Suicide Doors
Suicide doors have always been associated with luxury and style.
Usually found on high-end cars, suicide doors are a full-size, wide-opening option that makes a statement. While some people find them gaudy or flashy, there's no denying that suicide doors add a touch of elegance to any car.
In recent years, suicide doors have seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks to their increased visibility on social media. Whether you love them or hate them, there is no question that suicide doors make a significant impact.
Suicide doors were once prevalent in cars, but they became increasingly rare in the second half of the 20th century.
The name suicide doors is thought to come from the fact that these doors can be incredibly dangerous. Once vehicles became more powerful, the rear-hinged doors could open while driving down the road, causing the driver or passenger to fall out.
Today, suicide doors are mostly found on custom cars or luxury vehicles. Some carmakers have even reintroduced this door style in recent years, offering a retro option for modern drivers. Several manufacturers have their own names, such as coach doors or FlexDoors, to help make the feature not sound so morbid.
According to Cars.com, only five models were released last year (2021), and those include:
Sure, some models have a rendition of the suicide door, but they aren't the real deal. For instance, you can find suicide doors used in the Mazda RX-8 (FlexDoors), Toyota FJ Cruiser, and even the Honda Element.
If you’re interested in unique car doors, suicide doors aren’t your only option. There are plenty of other doors that will set your vehicle apart.
Scissor Doors
Scissor doors (or LSD doors) are another impressive kind of door that rotates vertically and slightly forward on a front hinge, similar to how scissors open. You might also hear these referred to as “lambo doors” as the door style can often be found on Lamborghini models.
Butterfly Doors
Similar to scissor doors, butterfly car doors also open vertically from the front hinge but angle more to the front, if you imagine the way a butterfly’s wings expand. When standing in front of the vehicle and the two front doors are open, you can see them fully opening toward you.
Dihedral Doors
Primarily manufactured by the Swedish brand, Koenigsegg, dihedral synchro-helix doors rotate 90 degrees, moving toward the front of the vehicle and downward.
Swan Doors
Swan doors have more traditional hinges, but they open slightly upward at the tip of the door. You might’ve seen this type of door on an Aston Martin.
Falcon Wing Doors
Similar to a gull wing door, the falcon wing can be seen on the newer Tesla Model X. These doors open vertically, with a hinge located on the roof of the vehicle. Falcon wing doors differ from gull wings in that they can open in tighter areas.
Standing out can be as simple as finding the right vehicle with unique doors. Now that you know more about the impressive doors available, you’ll know what to look for in your future car.
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