pop up headlights - why they stopped
Discussion
Afternoon all!
Why did pop-ups disappear? From reading around a bit, it seems like a combination of; 1) Pedestrian crash safety requirements 2) Improved light efficiency to size ratio (didn't need huge pop up things to deliver the same light)
Also (on a similar side note/question) - Is stuff like the moving headlight covers of the xj220 still allowed? They were without doubt the coolest thing ever when I saw them once as a young'un.
Reasons for asking - because they're cool.
Why did pop-ups disappear? From reading around a bit, it seems like a combination of; 1) Pedestrian crash safety requirements 2) Improved light efficiency to size ratio (didn't need huge pop up things to deliver the same light)
Also (on a similar side note/question) - Is stuff like the moving headlight covers of the xj220 still allowed? They were without doubt the coolest thing ever when I saw them once as a young'un.
Reasons for asking - because they're cool.
Edited by johnhenry on Friday 6th April 15:33
I hadn't really thought about them too much in car design until I saw a family friends 944 in the summer/autumn. They are effortlessly cool.
The last car with them was an esprit wasnt it? around 2004 - thats going off what wikipedia says.
anything insight into the legality/option of things like the headlight covers on the xj200?
thanks again, john
EDIT - hidden headlights like the photo above - AMAZING!
The last car with them was an esprit wasnt it? around 2004 - thats going off what wikipedia says.
anything insight into the legality/option of things like the headlight covers on the xj200?
thanks again, john
EDIT - hidden headlights like the photo above - AMAZING!
johnhenry said:
anything insight into the legality/option of things like the headlight covers on the xj200?
AIUI They're still allowed under European Regulations:Euro-regs said:
3.15. Concealable lamps
3.15.1. The concealment of lamps shall be prohibited, with the exception of the main-beam headlamp, the dipped-beam headlamp and the front fog lamp, which may be concealed when not in use.
3.15.1. The concealment of lamps shall be prohibited, with the exception of the main-beam headlamp, the dipped-beam headlamp and the front fog lamp, which may be concealed when not in use.
As far as I know it was a combination of a) falling out of fashion and b) pedestrian safety.
While most of us petrolheads and people who appreciate cars think they're cool, to most people they are dated - great on older cars but not so good when you're trying to sell a brand new one.
On the ped safety front it's not actually the shape that's the problem. The issue is that having big moveable units in the front end of the car means they are generally heavy, tough and attached pretty strongly to the frame of the car. This basically means that where the rest of the front end has air space or foam underneath the panel which means they deform nicely under impact, the popups are essentially a solid block right where you'd be hitting the car. Not good.
Arguably, it could potentially be pulled off nowadays if a company really wanted to, but I suspect there's just not the public interest to justify it (considering essentially it's a "vanity" feature & engineering-wise only offers problems, not advantages).
While most of us petrolheads and people who appreciate cars think they're cool, to most people they are dated - great on older cars but not so good when you're trying to sell a brand new one.
On the ped safety front it's not actually the shape that's the problem. The issue is that having big moveable units in the front end of the car means they are generally heavy, tough and attached pretty strongly to the frame of the car. This basically means that where the rest of the front end has air space or foam underneath the panel which means they deform nicely under impact, the popups are essentially a solid block right where you'd be hitting the car. Not good.
Arguably, it could potentially be pulled off nowadays if a company really wanted to, but I suspect there's just not the public interest to justify it (considering essentially it's a "vanity" feature & engineering-wise only offers problems, not advantages).
Eighteeteewhy said:
The car with undoubtedly the best pop us is not on that list.
Eighteeteewhy said:
The Cizeta, without a shadow of a doubt. Why have two when you can have four?Galsia said:
The worst in my opinion. It looks so ugly with the lights up, they're too far up the body.
Edit: The Ferrari F40 looks just as awful with them up too.
No way... the spoiler, the grilles and fogs, then the indicators and side lights, then the four pop ups, then the single wiper, the intakes then the wing. Put up the doors too Edit: The Ferrari F40 looks just as awful with them up too.
Totally over the top and wonderful.The F40 had the displeasure of looking like a kit car.
Eighteeteewhy said:
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