REPORT: Ferrari working on radical new door opening
As if scissor doors, gullwings, butterflies and those crazy Koenigsegg pivoters weren't enough to separate exotics from lesser cars, Ferrari is said to be working on another new door design that is both radical and practical. Go figure.Autocar came across a patent filing showing a few diagrams depicting this unique door setup. What sets it apart is the fact that the new Ferrari door includes part of the front fender and hinges upward like the butterfly door from a LeMans racer. Apparently the opening is large enough and shaped in such a way that "occupants can place their foot directly behind the front wheel."
According to the patent application, that will make ingress and egress much easier for passengers in low-slung supercars, though the new door design is said to work just as well on front engined cars as it does for vehicles with their engines mounted aft or amidships. Even better, this design and its unique hinges are reported to be "easy and cost-effective to make," which should make it easier for the Dodge Chargers of SEMA circa 2012 to get in on the fun too.
We're still seeing an issue with the A-pillar and windscreen, but it looks interesting. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for any photos of these funky doors, but for now we're stuck wondering how hard it was for Ferrari engineers to use the supplied British sports car diagram in order to submit their application form.
Gallery: Ferrari's radical new doors
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lucas 4:05PM (11/20/2009)
Now when idiots say they are going "Ferrari the doors" on their Mazda they won't sound quite as stupid.
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Mike7 4:15PM (11/20/2009)
Your comment sounds stupid.
Seriously, what?
fixitfixitstop 4:34PM (11/20/2009)
Mike7, Some people don't know the difference between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. That was Lucas's point.
Lucas 4:37PM (11/20/2009)
Thank you, fixit.
Geesh, some people need to get laid 'round here.
Lucas.
Steven 4:09PM (11/20/2009)
It will have to pass that new pole crash standard we saw a couple days ago from the NHTSA.
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risk 4:11PM (11/20/2009)
why don't they just beam us into the cars...and get rid of this whole door problem.
I'm all for advancements and stuff, but all the practical door applications have been thought of since the dawn of the automobile.
Forward opening, backwards opening, gullwing, scissor, and the 45 degree swivel what ever it is called. Unless they want to invent a sliding door I don't know how they can improve it that much...
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Mike7 4:21PM (11/20/2009)
"Unless they want to invent a sliding door I don't know how they can improve it that much..."
Been there, done that...
http://www.netcarshow.com/peugeot/2005-1007/800x600/wallpaper_0e.htm
...and it's not even a supercar.
83gtragtop 4:17PM (11/20/2009)
Sounds heavy.......
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BoxerFanatic 4:18PM (11/20/2009)
and large.
But I'll hold judgement. I love butterfly doors... I wonder how this will compare.
Konrad 11:28PM (11/20/2009)
What is this heavy? Is there something wrong with the Earth's gravitational field?
MikeofLA 4:17PM (11/20/2009)
The entire time I was reading the article I was waiting with baited breath to comment on the fact that they used Jaguar image... Damn you AB! Damn you!
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dasupersprint91 4:20PM (11/20/2009)
Isn't it an Aston Martin DB7?
Mike7 4:25PM (11/20/2009)
"Isn't it an Aston Martin DB7?"
Yeah, but it has a Jaguaresque grille.
MikeofLA 4:25PM (11/20/2009)
Is it? It looks like a Jag XK... oh wait, looking at the back, it is for sure an Aston.
Redline 5:13PM (11/20/2009)
They did? Unless it was added after.
Adam Bruce 1:49AM (11/21/2009)
It should be a Devon GTX insted of a Jag. This door opening with the door going up the fender is identical. Not sure how they can be granted a patent when other manufacturers already have this design?
DjDATZ 4:20PM (11/20/2009)
So new design of doors and new anti-lag for their turbos?! Shouldn't they be working on their F1 car?! LOL
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Andre 4:21PM (11/20/2009)
Oh oh, don't let the engineers from vertical doors see that diagram lol, they might beat Ferrari to it and have kits ready for the civic guys, lol.
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HK 4:26PM (11/20/2009)
I quite fancy Peugeot's sliding door on 1007
It's reminiscent of a people carrier but it's time to incorporate it to a supercar. Then it will be cool.
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83gtragtop 4:35PM (11/20/2009)
Is it April already?
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