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Thread: What is the best door/roof design to access a supercar with a high sill/rollcage?

  1. #1
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    What is the best door/roof design to access a supercar with a high sill/rollcage?

    Clearly supercars have to have a high sill for structural stiffness and crash safety reasons. Clearly they must be wide and low.

    It is funny watching tall men getting in and out of high sill supercars.
    There are several youtube videos of newbies trying to seat in a Lotus Elise for the first time.
    There's also a funny Top Gear episode of Jeremy Clarkson Ford GT. As its doors have a portion of the roof attached you couldn't easily get in when another car parks a few feet besides you.
    So what would be the better way to allow easy access to high sill supercars for daily use?

    Attaching part of the roof clearly allows easier entry.

    But it would be funny to watch 50+ year old people (usually the kind of people that can afford supercars) opening an unassisted upswinging door like Lambo doors, Gullwings, butterfly.
    Also remember assisted upswinging doors carry a weight penalty and they are prone to malfunction.

    Maybe a sliding door? So you can open it with part of the roof when another car parked close to you at the mall? (Remember these are wide cars)
    But it would have to be a futuristic design. Nobody would like minivan doors on his supercar.

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  4. #4
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    Well the Mercedes 300Sl had gullwing doors for the very reson that the sills were very high, so I'd say it'd have to be those vertical beauties that also look amazing too.

    Also, that slight weight penalty is probably more than made up for by the huge chassis rigidity bonus in a race such as the Mille Miglia/ Carrera Panamericana
    Last edited by W.R.; 01-20-2012 at 03:24 PM.
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    I havn't tried a gullwing door as in an SLS, but I find the Koenigsegg solution very good
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big time View Post
    Also remember assisted upswinging doors carry a weight penalty and they are prone to malfunction.
    What design are you thinking of that is heavy and unreliable ?
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    +1 for Koenigsegg, as long as you're not too close to a high curb. Do also <3 the Avantime.. if it was ever sold here I'd be on the lookout for one.
    Life's too short to drive bad cars.

  9. #9
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    Practically speaking, I agree on the Avantime doors. I actually think all cars should have that.
    An it harm none, do as ye will

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  10. #10
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    Screw that, it's all about doors that drop down into the sills.
    I'm dropping out to create a company that starts with motorcycles, then cars, and forty years later signs a legendary Brazilian driver who has a public and expensive feud with his French teammate.

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    fat guy stuck in a lotus

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  12. #12
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    Coolie, I'd love to spend some seat time on your Duc
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by jcp123 View Post
    Coolie, I'd love to spend some seat time on your Duc
    she's about to be sold to upgrade to a 2011 Monster 796!

    Or maybe a Streetfighter 848? hmmmmm decision decision
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  14. #14
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    I'm partial to the Triumph naked triples, but a Duc is a Duc...I'd pick the Monster just on the looks, but the Streetfighter is impressive.
    An it harm none, do as ye will

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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by jcp123 View Post
    I'm partial to the Triumph naked triples, but a Duc is a Duc...I'd pick the Monster just on the looks, but the Streetfighter is impressive.
    The Triuimph bug eyes just look so weird and ugly. worst than BMW's headlights.

    I love the looks of the monster, so sleek and sporty. Ducati started the naked bike category. I love the way the Duc twin rumbles and for me thats what I love about a Ducati. Triumph trips are very smooth, excellent motors but I prefer the twin, even to an inline 4.

    I also love the air cooled 2 valve simplicity of the monster. The water cooling on other naked bikes just don't look right.

    I rode the Streetfighter 1098, INSANE.

    It's amazing how the Duc's name sets a precedent for it.
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