What is the difference between butterfly doors and scissor doors?
3 Answers
The main difference between butterfly doors and scissor doors lies in the hinges. The overall structure of butterfly doors is similar to scissor doors, but their door hinges are positioned higher, usually located at the A-pillar or near the front edge of the roof close to the A-pillar. Introduction to butterfly doors: Butterfly doors, also known as dihedral doors, are a type of door style found in supercars. The hinges of butterfly doors are installed on the A-pillar or the fender near the A-pillar. The doors open forward and upward via the hinges, and the angled doors resemble the wings of a butterfly, hence the name butterfly doors. This unique door style has become a distinctive feature of supercars. Currently, famous supercars featuring butterfly doors include the Ferrari Enzo, McLaren F1, MP4-12C, Porsche 911 GT1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Saleen S7, and Devon GTC. Introduction to scissor doors: Scissor doors, named for their opening motion resembling scissors, have their hinges located on the front fender. This door style was first introduced on the concept car Carabo in 1968. However, it wasn't until Lamborghini adopted scissor doors that they gained worldwide popularity, leading many to consider Lamborghini as the originator of scissor doors.
When I first got into supercars, I noticed that butterfly doors and scissor doors look incredibly cool but are quite different. Butterfly doors open upwards and flip outward, unfolding like the wings of a butterfly. They have a wide opening angle, so you need enough space on the side to avoid hitting walls or obstacles. They're commonly seen on cars like the Ferrari Enzo or McLaren 720S, offering a strong visual impact when opened, but you have to be careful when parking. Scissor doors, on the other hand, lift purely vertically, resembling the opening and closing of scissors, with almost no outward extension. This makes them easier to operate in tight garages, as seen in the Lamborghini Aventador. From my personal experience test-driving both types, butterfly doors provide a more elegant and smooth exit, though they are slightly less practical. When it comes to modifications, butterfly doors have a more complex structure and higher costs. Overall, butterfly doors are more eye-catching, while scissor doors are more hassle-free.
Let me talk about the differences between these two types of doors from a daily driving perspective. Butterfly doors swing outward and upward simultaneously when opening, taking up more space. You need to make sure there's nothing nearby, or they might get scratched. Scissor doors simply lift straight up without changing position, making them suitable for tight spaces like underground parking. I've seen them at auto shows - Lamborghini uses scissor doors which operate quickly, while McLaren's butterfly doors look smoother. In terms of practicality, scissor doors are easier to use, especially for beginners; butterfly doors have unique styling but are more troublesome. As for modifications, scissor doors are easier to install, but both require professional checks of the vehicle's structural strength. The main difference lies in the opening trajectory - butterfly doors have an angled movement while scissor doors go straight up and down.
