Being able to see the bonnet whilst driving

[Mito Man]

I’m bored waiting for a bus so here’s a random topic.

I have come to the realisation that I much prefer cars where I can see the end of the bonnet. There’s something strangely satisfying about seeing the front bob up and down in your peripheral vision and being able to position your car exactly in the centre of the road with visual confirmation. The corners of the front wings act like targets with which to aim into corners making fast driving whilst keeping the car within road markings a piece of cake. Previously I thought it was something exclusive to boxy 4x4s - mainly Land Rover products aided by a high seating position as no BMW I’ve ever been in has had that feature. I was surprised to see that you can see the corners of the bonnet in the Camaro as it’s both curved and has a low seating position.

Apparently Rolls Royce and larger Mercedes Saloons are designed so that you can see down the end of the bonnet. Any other cars?

I know from Project Cars that you can see the bonnet and suspension working in a KTM X-Bow which would be most entertaining.

[Beany]

I'll agree with this.

The Mondeo is a *big* car, and it took me weeks to get used to the size of it - and no, I can't see the edge of the car from the inside. I had to rely on the parking sensors.

The E46? I can see it's envelope and I've got used to it's size far faster than I did with the Mondeo. I found the corners within a couple of days of driving. I have no qualms parking right up to a curb with it.

I'm quite surprised by the difference, honestly.

[integrale_evo]

I always liked that I could see the bonnet bulge in front and the flared arches in the wing mirrors on the lancia, and the acrches and rear wing in the e30.

That was probably the most dissapointing bit of the e36, other than the funny shape mirrors you couldn't see anything that made it more special than a normal one. Probably one of the reasons I suck a stupid wing on it.

Slightly dissapointed that our first Mercedes doesn't have the upright target on the front of the bonnet.

Not sure that all mercs are designed so you can see the front of the bonnet, I'd suggest that their marketing spin on the fact they've had to raise the bonnet line to meet pedestrian impact regs

[duncs500]

Needles to say you can see whatever you want in a 7.

[Mark_bt52]

I always sit low for optimum centre of gravity to improve handling so I can just see the Subaru scoop, the GT-R bonnet bulges and nothing of the bonnet in the S4

[JLv3.0]

Delta S4?

[Mark_bt52]

Delta S4?

Almost exactly one of those. 4wd and supercharged and everything.

(Audi)

[JLv3.0]

Did you then qualify the Audi in 5th position on the grid for the 1985 Estoril F1 GP?

[John]

My MIL refuses to drive any car where she can't see the end of the bonnet.