Popup headlights, who did them last?

[300bhp/ton]

Wondering which cars were the last either in production or as a new vehicle with popup headlights? Or are there any cars still in production using them??

[Rawwr]

Got to be MX5 or Diablo?

[LuS1fer]

I believe it was the Esprit and Corvette in 2004.

[toppstuff]

I miss them. In complete contrast, we now have to endure DRL's..

[Dr Interceptor]

The last ones in the 2000's were:

2001 - Honda NSX
2002 - Mazda RX-7
2002 - Pontiac Firebird
2003 - Ferrari 456
2004 - De Tomaso Guara
2004 - Lotus Esprit
2004 - Chevrolet Corvette

2008 - BMW Gina (concept only, not production model)

As always, there's a wiki for that - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_headlamps

[Cyrus1971]

I think Health and Saftey caused the demise of pop up lights. Aparently too many people when washing their cars and forgot to wash the lights, the lenses became so dulled that it presented a hazzard. I'm sure that with modern washer jets and brighter bulbs they could make a come back, but pressure on drag co-efficients for fuel economy will also now be far more of a factor...

[LuS1fer]

Cyrus1971 said:

I think Health and Saftey caused the demise of pop up lights. Aparently too many people when washing their cars and forgot to wash the lights, the lenses became so dulled that it presented a hazzard. I'm sure that with modern washer jets and brighter bulbs they could make a come back, but pressure on drag co-efficients for fuel economy will also now be far more of a factor...

I think it was more the way they cut into pedestrians on impact.

[Cyder]

LuS1fer said:

I think it was more the way they cut into pedestrians on impact.

^ This, pedestrian impact regs are tough enough to meet without having a ready made sharp edge from the pop-up headlamp.

Not a shame in my opinion, I think they look rubbish!

[Steamer]

So much love for pop-ups!!

I'll never forget the drive home in the first car I bought with pop-ups: slight apprehension / anticipation.. then the feeling of "awwwww yeeeerrrrr"

...Simple pleasures.

[KDIcarmad]

I read they were killed off as they slowed the car at night. That was on Top Gear, where they said the last was a Ferrari. Still at night you should slow down as I do not get this. As a I follow kit cars I will add no current kit has them.

Now what was the first car to use them?

[ajh38]

They must impact upon aero dynamics to a degree too which would in turn make CO2 levels higher.

[kambites]

ajh38 said:

They must impact upon aero dynamics to a degree too which would in turn make CO2 levels higher.

Only if they run the test with the headlights on, which I don't think they do.

[300bhp/ton]

ajh38 said:

They must impact upon aero dynamics to a degree too which would in turn make CO2 levels higher.

I suppose the counter argument is they aide aerodynamics during daylight as it allows for a smaller frontal area and lower Co drag. So would help save fuel and Co2 emissions.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 15th August 12:30

[Pothole]

I have a love/hate thing with the mountains of ridiculous speculation and hearsay presented as 'fact' on these threads.

As if anything would be regulated against because people might forget to wash it!

Edited by Pothole on Wednesday 15th August 12:37

[HorneyMX5]

I love mine on the 5, especially when you flash them, get loads of kids pointing and grinning.

They are terrible for fuel economy at night though.

Nick

[nickbee]

Pothole said:

I have a love/hate thing with the mountains of ridiculous speculation and hearsay presented as 'fact' on these threads.

As if anything would be regulated agasinst because people might forget to wash it!

I'm pretty sure the legislation came about because the sudden popping-up of headlights often took bugs by surprise and led to increased levels of insect death.

[BarbaricAvatar]

LuS1fer said:

I believe it was the Esprit and Corvette in 2004.

This.

But i thought manufacturers just moved away from pop-up's due to the weight and aero-imbalances that they caused. Is it really true that the health & safety plebians got involved? That would shatter my hope that we'll see a new car with them at some point.
Tell me it's not true!

[Pothole]

nickbee said:

Pothole said:

I have a love/hate thing with the mountains of ridiculous speculation and hearsay presented as 'fact' on these threads.

As if anything would be regulated agasinst because people might forget to wash it!

I'm pretty sure the legislation came about because the sudden popping-up of headlights often took bugs by surprise and led to increased levels of insect death.

Won't be long before I have to change the lights on my bike, then!

[8potdave]

I did quite like them, I used to flash people out of junctions just to see them work

[Marf]

HorneyMX5 said:

I love mine on the 5, especially when you flash them, get loads of kids pointing and grinning.

They are terrible for fuel economy at night though.

Nick

Returning to my car in Sainsburys car park, I'd got in and a kid walked past with his mum. Just as I popped up the headlights, the kid remarked "wow its like a secret agent car!" and his mum to her credit replied "i wonder where the rocket launchers and machine guns are?"