Why do sxs doors open backwards

Overview

Scissor doors, commonly referred to as 'sxs doors' or 'lamborghini doors,' are a distinctive automotive door design that opens vertically rather than horizontally. The concept originated with Italian designer Marcello Gandini's 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo concept car, which featured upward-opening doors to showcase its wedge-shaped design. The design gained mainstream recognition when Gandini incorporated it into the 1974 Lamborghini Countach, making it the first production car with this feature. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the design became synonymous with high-performance supercars, appearing on models like the 1990 Lamborghini Diablo and 1993 Bugatti EB110. Today, approximately 15 automotive manufacturers have used scissor doors on production vehicles, while numerous aftermarket companies offer conversion kits for existing cars. The design has evolved from purely aesthetic to incorporating practical benefits, particularly in urban environments with limited parking space.

How It Works

Scissor doors operate through a hinge mechanism mounted at the front of the door frame rather than the side. When activated, the door rotates upward and slightly outward on a single pivot point, typically located near the A-pillar. Most production systems use hydraulic struts or pneumatic cylinders to provide controlled lifting force, with gas-charged struts being common in modern implementations. The mechanism includes safety features like pressure relief valves to prevent rapid closure and locking pins that engage when the door reaches its fully open position. Aftermarket kits often employ simpler mechanical systems with torsion bars or spring-assisted mechanisms. The door's movement follows a precise arc calculated to clear the vehicle's roofline while maintaining structural integrity. Modern electronic systems can include soft-close functions and integration with keyless entry, with some luxury models featuring sensors that adjust opening speed based on surrounding obstacles.

Why It Matters

Scissor doors matter for both practical and symbolic reasons in automotive design. Practically, they provide superior accessibility in tight parking spaces where conventional doors cannot open fully - a significant advantage in crowded urban environments where parking spots average just 8.5 feet wide. Symbolically, they represent automotive exclusivity and performance, with manufacturers using them to differentiate luxury models. The design has safety implications too, as upward-opening doors can prevent door-to-door contact in collisions and provide easier exit in rollover situations. Beyond automobiles, the mechanism has influenced other industries, including aerospace (where similar hinge designs appear on aircraft compartments) and architecture (in high-end cabinet and furniture design). The continued popularity of scissor doors demonstrates how functional engineering solutions can become enduring cultural symbols of innovation and status.