Suicide Door - Modern Use

Modern Use

For a time, the last true, independently opening suicide doors on a mass produced car were fitted on the Ford Thunderbird four-door sedan from 1967 through 1971. The 1971 model was the last American production automobile to feature rear suicide doors, because after this time, safety concerns prevented their use. More recently, rear suicide doors that cannot be opened until the regular front doors are opened have been appearing on a number of vehicles, including extended cab pickup trucks, the 2nd generation Saturn SC, the Saturn Ion QuadCoupe, the Honda Element, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the Mazda RX-8. In 2003, true independent suicide doors reappeared, this time on the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. The Spyker D12 officially presented in 2006 also has suicide doors. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe four-seat convertible, based on the 100EX show car also has suicide front doors.

Rear passenger suicide doors had been a constant feature of Hackney carriages, otherwise known as Black (London) Cabs. However, with the replacement of the Austin FX4 by the new TX models, suicide doors were replaced with standard hinged doors.

Suicide doors are used on the Carbon Motors Corporation E7 concept car, a purpose built police vehicle that features rear suicide doors to help officers get handcuffed individuals in and out of the back seat. Another concept car that features rear suicide doors is the Kia Naimo concept electric vehicle, announced at the 2011 Seoul Auto Show.

Suicide doors are showing a resurgence in popularity in the after market and mobility sector with many companies supplying 90 degree and 180 degree suicide door hinge kits that are used to adapt vehicle with conventional doors to open in reverse.