Skoda's Twindoor: An innovative all-in-one trunk and liftback
Click image for a gallery of the new Superb's Twindoor system
Czech automaker Skoda unveiled its new 2009 Skoda Superb (based on parent company VW's Passat) at the Geneva Auto Show this week. It's a great-looking car that represents an excellent execution of the platform, but that's not what makes it so eye-catching. We were more intrigued by that trunk... or is it a liftback?
The Superb features an innovative combo trunk/tailgate system that Skoda calls the "Twindoor." Its design allows the hatch to be opened like a conventional trunk, or like a rear hatch. The clever 'lift-trunk' sports not one, but two small releases in the same general spot that a single trunk release would normally be found. Press the button in the center, and it opens as a conventional trunk with spring assist. Press the button on the right, and it opens as a rear hatch with strut assist. Opened wide as a hatch and with the seats folded, the Skoda Superb has 565 liters of cargo space (our math says that's about 20 cubic feet).
The Skoda Twindoor deserves merit. It is a brilliant idea that we hope catches on with other manufacturers, hopefully on this side of the Atlantic. However, it does leave us wondering if we are witnessing the first signs that sedans are also evolving into that abyss of vehicles classified as the CUV. Thanks for the tip, Johanes!
Gallery: Skoda Superb Twindoor System
[Source:Skoda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Frick 6:06PM (3/07/2008)
Hate to say this considering the work that was put into this, but THAT IS POINTLESS.
The strength of a hatchback is increased utility
The strength of having just a trunk is increased noise insulation and increased structural rigidity.
This thing certainly does not have the positives of a trunk only design, while complicating the overall design. Might as well go with hatchback only. This overcomplication is pointless.
Reply
f3rg 6:09PM (3/07/2008)
Yeah, I'm having a hard time seeing the point, but I don't dislike it. I've always thought more cars should have hatches, even if they want to disquise them as trunks.
bc 7:38PM (3/07/2008)
These were my thoughts exactly. I suppose there is some utility in being able to open just the trunk in garages which have low ceilings, but the biggest advantage I can see is psychological/sociological; if this increases the acceptance of liftbacks and thus makes more of them available where they currently aren't it would be a good thing, although it seems an overly expensive solution. I look at cars shaped like the Altima coupe or sedan and just ask, why does that have a tiny decklid instead of a liftback?
psarhjinian 9:40PM (3/07/2008)
I agree. I can't see the point of this either: you get the lack of rigidity and road isolation of a hatch, combined with the impracticality of a sedan. If you want a hatchback, why not just buy one?
Finally, there's nothing "crossover" about this. It's a hatchback. I know Americans have pretty much forgotten what one is, and American marketing execs develop facial ticks when people use the word, but that's what this is.
Yago Bal 8:13AM (3/08/2008)
You're missing the most important advantage of a trunk (nowadays, the rigidity is hardly a problem for a properly engineered car): it's comfort.
When you open or close a trunk, the passenger compartment is isolated from the exterior air and, specially, when you close the trunk you don't expose the passengers to the air shock-wave it generates. ...but if you have that sort of comfort (and it's important: just check what citren did to achieve that without loosing it's "hatch design") you'll loose the hatch versatility.
So, it's quite clear what the advantage of this system is, and it's a big one.
DjLdog 2:19PM (3/09/2008)
Imagine you being kidnapped and put in the trunk , then you surprise the hell of the guy by ,opening the hatch and hitting it on the head with the snow shovel.. LOL
Talisman 6:09PM (3/07/2008)
Thats pretty ingenious actually
Reply
DJ 6:10PM (3/07/2008)
Wow, such a NEW IDEA!!! My dad's 1968 Dodge station had this. My 1998 Mercury Mountaineer had this. Come to think of it. at least 2 or 3 DOZEN cars, wagons and SUV's have had the exact same thing in the last 40 years!
Reply
Joe K. 8:12PM (3/07/2008)
Wrong!
They opened the glass before the hatch which kept the lower portion still in the way. Now its the lower part that moves. UN-like your 1968 Dodge, or the Mountaineer...
So a three step tip for reading future blogs. Read, Think, Post only when you can offer something to the conversation.
I think its a neat concept, but the overall application is desgned more for theory than reality, more moving parts mean more things can break, and for what gain? I can appreciate that sometimes you don't need to open the whole hatch, but when is it something that is that much of a hassle?
mk 6:15PM (3/07/2008)
This is different than glass opening on a hatchback.
This would be like the lower half of the tailgate opening upward, OR the whole tailgate opening.
I WANT THIS ON MY CAR, or at least a sedan with a full hatchback.
If one has a 5-door sedan, with a hatch all the way to the roof, do you really NEED to open it like a trunk?
It might be easier for shorter folks, though, or for quickness.
I wish the Mazda6 5-door had 300hp, a manual transmission, and real AWD. I would be SET. OR if my Legacy with those things, had the 5-door hatchback.
Reply
Slav 6:15PM (3/07/2008)
another miserable comment Autoblog, Superb - a great looking car? It is as great looking as Ford Crown Victoria!
I repeat once again, stop saying every car made in Europe is perfect.
Best wishes from the old continent.
Reply
vdk 6:21PM (3/07/2008)
beauty is in the eye of the beholder... now please...
Paul P. 6:29PM (3/07/2008)
This is a great design for use in the American market. The look of a trunk with the utility of a hatchback might actually sell more cars over here. I can't see Europe really having a need for this, as they tend to like the wagon/hatchback design better.
Reply
Andrew 10:11PM (3/07/2008)
That's a weird comment to make. Europe doesn't need it? Well that *European* company sure thinks so. And have you even been to Europe? Any of the 47 countries? You have no clue what Europeans need or want. And there are 700 million Europeans...
Mattias 4:34AM (3/08/2008)
I absolutely agree with Andrew. Traditionally there is a strong divide between eastern europe and southern europe that favour trunks and western europe that favours hatches. This divide still runs through germany. For example Skoda Fabia sedans are virtually nonexistent in western germany, here in the east they are very common. Trunk versions of some cars aren't even sold in some markets.
The Skoda Superb has to fit nearly all european markets so you can see this solution as a compromise to build one model that fits all.
Paul P. 4:43PM (3/08/2008)
I've been to Europe (Italy, Germany), but I'm going by comments made by Europeans on here. From what I've read, most agree that the majority of Europeans prefer the hatchback/wagon design. My own experience supports this.
What I meant by that comment is, I think the design would do better over here than it would it Europe, as Americans on average prefer the trunk design, but would probably enjoy the utility of a hatch.
Bill 9:59PM (3/07/2008)
Very clever.
I still prefer a full-on hatchback, but I suppose there could be a market niche selling to people who still think of hatchbacks as cheap.
Paul P., I understand that in the former Eastern bloc countries, there is still a strong preference for sedans. The Dacia Logan is sedan only, and Opel made an Astra with a trunk just to cater to the eastern european market.
Reply
SPG 6:43PM (3/07/2008)
I love this idea.
A trunk for downtown security.
A liftback (bring your own bungee cord) for bringing home the new TV from the big box store.
Genius.
Reply
zoomzoomr 1:07AM (3/08/2008)
Obviously SPG would like this idea.. this is the "innovation" SAAB has needed to make their hatchbacks acceptable for US consumers! The current 9-3 is the first mainstream SAAB sedan not to offer a hatch.. this could fix that in a second!
SPG 5:48AM (3/08/2008)
Saab does need a hatchback option for it's 9-5.