Interesting car features

[MarinaDiamandis]

I've seen this idea on several other sites but thought it would be particularly interesting on GTP due to the wide range of ages and nationalities that the site attracts.

I did several searches and found nothing, but feel free to close this if it has been thought of before.

I'd rather not see whole cars, nice rims or any other regular modifications posted here, but instead please post up pictures of interesting/innovative features that you know of/have came across on cars, maybe even add a snippet of information to go with the image if you can!

(Please keep on topic and follow the AUP!)

To further clarify, i'll start:

Lotus Elise/Exige pedals. So simple and beautifully engineered.

 

[nk4e]

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

This is not a car.

 

[nk4e]

This is not a car.

It was made from a Impreza.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

It was made from a Impreza.

Yup, it was made from car components, but it's not a car. It's an ATV.

 

[nk4e]

Isn't that innovation?

I haven't seen the coil that was horizontal but commonly parallel. Though you guys probably knew that.

 

[homeforsummer]

It's not really a "feature" of a car.

Feature: "a prominent attribute or aspect of something"

That Impreza based thing above is something, not an attribute or aspect of something.

For my "feature", the first thing that came to mind was the Tridion safety cell on the smart, and more specifically, the smart Roadster. Why not make the safety cell a feature of the car?

 

[Keef]

It doesn't look any different than the frame of a normal car.

 

[eiriksmil]

Yes, we all know how bodies look. His point is that together with the silver-painted B-pillar and rockers, the design of the body really makes the car look like it's built from the body and out, whereas other car makers are 'hiding' it. Oh, and they aren't called frames anymore, if you want to be that specific and quarrelling

I love early Porsche 944 tachs

Jaguar XF dials, they are just so great:

TVR dials are also cool:

As are the ones in the V8 Vantage:

Back to the XF, it's got an analog clock on its digital screen. Love it.

The XF also has a pretty cool gear selector, in addition to that pulsating start putton:

While we're on round, small parts; iDrive, interesting to say atleast.

I just have to get this in; 1-spoke steering wheel from the DS:

The covers over the vents in the Phaeton:

I dig details, even though some of them don't work. I dig the XF. It's full of details

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

While on the subject of the Phaeton:

Phaeton boot hinges. Pity they seize so easily!

 

[Alex.]

Directs air onto a small rear lip

 

[eiriksmil]

Phaeton boot hinges. Pity they seize so easily!

Should be standard on more cars. Haha, don't you just hate it when you've absolutely filled the boot of a saloon/sedan and think "perfect", then you slam the lid down and realise you forgot the hinges?

 

[Nicksfix]

Adjustable 4 link rear suspensions :

 

[Slick Rick]

Isn't that innovation?

I haven't seen the coil that was horizontal but commonly parallel. Though you guys probably knew that.

How does that work exactly? I cant work it out. When absorbing bumps do the wheels move up and down or diagonally?

 

[nk4e]

I believe it would work as the wheel bounces up and down. There is a bar that moves the coilover back and forth so that it transfers some of the pressure to the exoskeleton.

The Atom’s suspension is derived from single seat racecars and is fully adjustable, requiring only a wrench. Both front and rear double unequal length wishbones and inboard, pushrod-operated dampers contribute to the Atom’s dynamic racecar-like handling. Adjustable suspension rod ends feature inboard rubber/metal bushings to promote a more comfortable road-going ride. The front and rear Bilstein dampers are also adjustable. Stacked light and heavy coil springs produce a low spring rate for minor deflections and a higher rate for large ones.

 

[homeforsummer]

Some great details there Eirik - I've always liked the Porsche dials too - in fact, Porsche dials in general are very distinctive (as below), and the Jag XF's gear selector is great too 👍

Cayman

997 Turbo

Yes, we all know how bodies look. His point is that together with the silver-painted B-pillar and rockers, the design of the body really makes the car look like it's built from the body and out, whereas other car makers are 'hiding' it.

Spot on. My point was that smart don't hide the construction of the car, the safety cell is very visible, and often painted in a contrasting colour to the car:

It's a design feature I like. It's a major part of what makes a smart a smart.