Scissor doors

[Camel]

I really hope the VV comes with scissor doors. When cars are very low to the ground with a layed back driving position normal doors need to open a lot further to comfortably get in and out of the car. Scissor doors would help this issue and allow the VV to be parked in smaller space.

[rogwild]

Well, it CAN be done. Wonder how it would work on the "Vhatever"?

[rogwild]

Perhaps, but it can't be TOO complex (used by a small company, Corbin), or weigh TOO much (100mpg), or cost TOO much (price under $12,000). And due out; End of 2008.
http://tinyurl.com/3498tx

[Miracleman89]

Well the raven is kind of neat looking. If it can make highway speeds then my wife said she wouldn't mind something like that as well. We could make the PT cruiser sort of our family car, while the V1 and the Raven would be my wife and I's runabouts!

[Camel]

More weight, more complex, more cost.
Well, you can say that about any feature suggestion really. Everything from 500 watt stereo systems to HUD displays to Navigation features etc that many people have mentioned here and the the flytheroad.com website all add weight complexity and cost to the design.

The mechanism to make it work is not much different then how the trunk door opens on most hatchbacks. Aftermarket versions for normal opening doors are much more expensive and complex due to the fact the door jamb, weather sealing system, and door lock was not designed for the door to travel upward. A much simpler hinge can be used if it is part of the original design.

[rogwild]

Thank you, Camel, well said. We are here to 'encourage' suggestions and ideas, not to 'stifle' them.

[Miracleman89]

I personally like the idea of the scissor doors as long as it doesnt add a lot of weight! Anyone seen the doors on the eternity phairo they had a lambo look. I don't have time right now to post a pic but if someone else could i would appreciate it! I have to go to work guys so I will check back in the morning!

[rogwild]

How about these:

[Miracleman89]

Thanks Rog! I appreciate your help on that one I had to run off to work! Wow what a busy night!:confused:

[ydeardorff]

I like the true scissor doors, (straight up) as they lend a hand in tight parking areas.
I know from experience Gull wings, were one of the worst ideas in the history of bad ideas. Although they are good for creating welts on your noggin.
We have an acronym we use here at work alot. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid. LOL
and Typically the scissor door hinge will ad abit more weight to the vehicle than a standard set of hinges, since its a single connection point.

[rogwild]

Here is a video of the Raven's Scissor Doors in operation. Too bad it does not look it will make it to production, but for an under $20k vehicle, the doors should not be too expensive to use on a Persu Hybrid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3qvauJa8fw

T3qvauJa8fw

[cobraphx]

Not sure how valid showing a prototype from company that failed to move said vehicle from prototype to volume production is in proving that scissor doors are as cheap, simple and as reliable as normal doors. I stand by the assertion that there aren't any real benefits afforded by the scissors door on the Persu that would justify the added weight, complexity or additional cost of the design. The only advantage I can see for the scissor door (other than the "cool" factor) is in tight parking spaces. But at 4' 4" wide, I don't know were you'll find a tight spaces for the PH, unless you are parking behind dumpsters in alleys or something.

If there were tons of production vehicles running around with scissor doors, I might think differently. But there aren't. Companies that have gone that way have stuck to using them on vehicles in the $100K+ price range. Wonder why? Could it be reliability? Maybe because to look cool isn't worth the compromises? Is it because the likes of Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Alpha Romeo, Vauxhall, Nissan, BMW can't find a reason to build them into their cars? Or maybe their engineering departments aren't up to the task?

The PH is already one of the most striking designs around. And some of the technology like the PHEV drivetrain will necessitate it being priced at a premium. Adding gimmicks to drive that price even higher? Not good for most prospective owners or Persu in my opinion. Owners can customize them any way they want after they get it home. I think a convertible would be kinda cool, but Persu won't build it. But I'm sure one could be converted, same with scissor door.

[MVRacing]

I personally like that door. While it is different, IMHO other than the engineering, I think it would be cheaper and lighter weight. Seems to me the direction of opening would require less structure to maintain rigidity... therefor lower weight/cost.

So, the biggest problem I can see is if the height of the door in the open possition would be too tall for a standard garage (with garage door up).

One other consideration is the flex/torque on the door hinge if it was opened in the service/tilted position. I suppose there could be an interlock, but you wouldn't want that interlock to interfer with emergency exit in case of a crash!