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Which car doors open upwards?

Certain car models feature doors that open upwards rather than the traditional outward swing. This distinctive design, known as "gull-wing" or "scissor" doors, has become a signature of some high-performance and luxury vehicles. While not a common sight on everyday cars, these upward-opening doors offer a unique aesthetic and practical benefits that have captured the imagination of automotive enthusiasts.


What Are Upward-Opening Car Doors?


Upward-opening car doors, also called gull-wing or scissor doors, are a design where the doors hinge at the top and swing upwards rather than outwards. This unique configuration allows the doors to open in a distinctive, angular fashion, often resembling the wings of a gull or the blades of a pair of scissors.


The primary advantage of this design is that it provides easier access to the vehicle's interior, especially in tight parking spaces or garages where traditional outward-swinging doors may not have enough clearance. Upward-opening doors also create a more dramatic and eye-catching appearance, which has made them a popular choice for high-end sports cars and luxury vehicles.


Notable Cars with Upward-Opening Doors



  • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: This iconic sports car, produced from 2010 to 2015, featured gull-wing doors that became a signature design element.

  • DeLorean DMC-12: The DeLorean DMC-12, famous for its appearance in the "Back to the Future" films, had distinctive gull-wing doors that added to its futuristic aesthetic.

  • Lamborghini Aventador: The Lamborghini Aventador, a modern supercar, continues the brand's tradition of incorporating scissor doors into its design.

  • BMW i8: The BMW i8 hybrid sports car features upward-opening "butterfly" doors, a variation on the traditional gull-wing design.


While upward-opening doors are not as common as traditional outward-swinging doors, they have become a hallmark of high-performance and luxury vehicles, adding a touch of drama and exclusivity to the driving experience.

What Toyota has doors that open upwards?


The side body lines are sharp and well- definfined. Running from the front fenders to the rear. Giving the car a sense of motion. Even when parked the 18-in alloy wheels have a bold sporty.



Which Tesla model has the doors that go up?


Model X has falcon wing doors that easily open and close by pressing a button, using a key fob, using the mobile app, or touching the associated icon on the touchscreen.



What kind of doors go up?


Gullwing – (also called "falcon-wing") hinged to the roof at the top horizontal edge of the door, and open upward on a horizontal axis. Gullwing doors with a second hinge between door and moving roof panel are called falcon wing doors.



Why do supercar doors open up?


Why do supercars' doors open upwards and not sidewards? Supercars are generally very low riding to provide stability at higher speeds. This low ground clearance means many parts of the car can get easily scrapped and scratched.



What is the name of the car door that opens upwards?


Gull-Wing Doors
They are also called up-doors and falcon-wing doors. Designed in 1939, these were not officially introduced until 14 years later when they featured in the Mercedes 300SL race car.



Which Tesla doors open upwards?


Model X has falcon wing doors that easily open and close by pressing a button, using a key fob, using the mobile app, or touching the associated icon on the touchscreen.



Why do some car doors open upwards?


Scissor doors swing up instead of out, as conventional doors do. They're easier to open in tight spaces, allowing the driver to lean out of the car while backing up to see what's behind.



Has rear doors that lift upwards?


A hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the main interior of the car as a cargo area rather than just to a separated trunk. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second-row seating, where the interior can be reconfigured to prioritize passenger or cargo volume.



Which car has doors that open upwards?


Opening upwards, the doors evoke the image of a seagull's wings. In French, they are portes papillon (butterfly doors). The papillon door was designed by Jean Bugatti for the 1939 Type 64, 14 years before Mercedes-Benz produced its similar, famous 300 SL gullwing door.



What car do the doors go up in?


Butterfly doors have been an adopted design of modern prototypes and sports cars such as the McLaren F1, Toyota GT-One, Saleen S7, Ferrari Enzo (and its track day version, the FXX), Bentley Speed 8, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, McLaren Senna, Maserati MC20, and Bugatti Tourbillon.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.