Scissors doors gimmick or practical

[SunriseJak]

I've often watched the media make rather ill-informed comments about the Cyberster. The scissors doors in particular get some share of criticism. I performed a small simple test to compare a conventional door and a scissors door when faced with some cramped quarters. (As can be the case a congested parking lot). Cars parked close together making ingress and egress somewhat challenging. I parked my Tesla alongside my Cyberster to assess which would be troublesome or convenient to use given a tight parking situation. (This is not a specific issue with the Tesla but just comparing door types). In this scenario the Cyberster proved substantially more accessible and easier to get in and out. In fact the opening allowed by the Cyberster was almost as if no other car were parked alongside. Easy. The conventional door requires being a flexible contortionist. Not scientific I know. But this demonstrates the scissors doors are not just for "show" or a gimmick. They (in my estimation) are better. I guess I have too much time on my hands!

 

[Vader]

When you have long doors it can be really hard to get out of the car when parked. Couple this with the width of the Cyberster and scissor doors are really the only way to leave (or get back in) the car. I have the same problem with my MINI. Surprisingly long doors - I suppose it is a 2 door (commonly called 3 door due to the hatchback) and the doors need to be long. I can park in tighter spots in the Cyberster than the MINI. Are the doors practical? YES.

 

[inksane]

Oh man, In that situation I would have zero confidence to open the doors automatically, especially with the cars parked on the same direction (rear view mirrors more or less aligned).

I already bumped the door in a column that the sensor didn't detect (as it is stated in the manual) and also I've reduced the door opening to 65% out of paranoia.

 

[TeslaDriver]

it is a 2 door

We had a VW Scirocco (2 Door+Hatchback), many years ago. We loved it, but Wifee got rid of it solely because opening the doors in a car park was a proper nuisance. Probably applies to all 2-door cars with back seats.

I read about the Cyberster doors being slow to open / close, and hypothetical scenarios where you forgot something in the car and had to cancel-close and wait for re-open. I struggle that this would be a reason not to buy the car ...

... but I also read that hypercar scissor doors are "Push to open" and "Pull to close", which I suppose solves any "it takes a while" issue. Probably also helps if ever you need to open the doors tentatively.

 

[SunriseJak]

Oh man, In that situation I would have zero confidence to open the doors automatically, especially with the cars parked on the same direction (rear view mirrors more or less aligned).

I already bumped the door in a column that the sensor didn't detect (as it is stated in the manual) and also I've reduced the door opening to 65% out of paranoia.

Thats interesting. In 16 months and 22,000 km my door sensors have never failed to detect an obstruction and I've not had the doors hit anything. In fact they seem to be conservative in stopping with quite a margin and on occasion I've manually pushed the doors open to a closer tolerance than the sensor felt comfortable with.

 

[salty]

Undoubtedly they are a bit of a gimmick and totally unnecessary. But they look so bloody cool. And as you've proved with your experiment. Can actually be better. In certain circumstances. But mostly they just look cool. Nuff said.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Good article, doors have also become a lot thicker over the years , what with side impact regulations, extra equipment , etc. Cars have also generally expanded in size and width as well but carparks have either retained original markings or even got narrower to accommodate more vehicles , extra profit. Scissor doors will make it easier for the owner but does not stop neighbouring cars giving it a ding ....... with no chance of retribution ?

 

[inksane]

Thats interesting. In 16 months and 22,000 km my door sensors have never failed to detect an obstruction and I've not had the doors hit anything. In fact they seem to be conservative in stopping with quite a margin and on occasion I've manually pushed the doors open to a closer tolerance than the sensor felt comfortable with.

Maybe you're more careful than me, or just not as dumb. If you want to test it you can easily replicate by:

1. Situate yourself between the mirror and the side sensor.
2. Stand upright like if you were being shouted at by a boot camp sergeant. Asume more or less the footprint of a column.
3. Open the door.
4. Get hit, 100% guaranteed.

 

[SunriseJak]

Maybe you're more careful than me, or just not as dumb. If you want to test it you can easily replicate by:

1. Situate yourself between the mirror and the side sensor.
2. Stand upright like if you were being shouted at by a boot camp sergeant. Asume more or less the footprint of a column.
3. Open the door.
4. Get hit, 100% guaranteed.

Hi, Just tried the standing by the door as described. If I stand between the door and the sensor and closer to the door than the mirror width indeed the door impacts me. If I stand at a distance just beyond the end of the mirror (where a pole or car or a wall might be) the door senses and stops every time. I tried parking my Tesla in a manner to purposely have the Cyberster door hit the Tesla and I couldn't make it happen. I parked next to the wall of my garage and still could not get the door to impact anything. I can conclude that if there is a person standing within inches of the door between the mirror and sensor don't open the door. Roll the window down and tell them to move their butt. If you're being carjacked you might need to tell the carjacker to please step back as the door may hit them. Jokes aside I get your point. However, I have no fear of the door impacting an object under normal conditions.

 

[Chongma]

Just a couple of points IMHO
Huge positive - I can open the car doors with the remote as I walk up to it, get in and drive off. Haven't touched the outside door button in ages!

Negative - parked across a slope and the doors wont open. So have to do a workout as it's now manual.

 

[Vader]

Every day at work I park in an underground car park. It has the typical square columns between cars (every 3 spots). If the column is in front of the mirror when the door is shut, you won't hit (ie no sensor issues).I can park 10-15cm away from the column and still get out. This leaves a lot of space around the car - less chance of having my door hit by other cars.