FB Video: I don't think they have engineered the rear hatch/window yet.

[GaRailroader]

It is odd in this video that they don't raise the rear glass to aid in loading the back of the SUV. I am beginning to think that this glass is fixed in both the SUV and the pick-up.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A5EFa8UQx/

 

[SLATEchad]

In initial videos from the launch I saw it get lifted, but it didn’t have any struts on that prototype. Seems like that’d be an easy enough thing to throw on there, so I find it interesting that they didn’t have them. I think you’re right they may still be engineering the lift and latch for the window, but I do think the SUV version will allow it to be opened - I don’t think it’ll be fixed. I read or heard somewhere that it would be fixed in the truck configuration though… not sure why. Hopefully that changes, cause it’d be nice to be able to open that.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

I have seen now can’t remember where it hay there was a photo taken where the back was fully open and there was struts holding the glass up I thought it was the picnics post but I was wrong now I can’t remember where I seen it

 

[cadblu]

It is odd in this video that they don't raise the rear glass to aid in loading the back of the SUV. I am beginning to think that this glass is fixed in both the SUV and the pick-up.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A5EFa8UQx/

Agreed, that was my reaction as well. How can you load large objects in the rear SUV configuration with that fixed glass panel just waiting to get smashed. Makes no sense to me. Don't think it's too complex to engineer a hinge mechanism design with a strut to lift that glass out of the way. There is also a 'sealing' issue to deal with, and the sequence of closing the lift gate / glass panel may also be an issue. I would design it such that the lift gate must close first, then the glass, but then again, I don't work at Slate.

 

[cadblu]

Here you go. The rear glass tilts up and out of the way in this video! TFL now.

 

[Dorbiman]

Funny how many jump to conclusions when we’ve seen it in action before

 

[Trace26]

It is odd in this video that they don't raise the rear glass to aid in loading the back of the SUV. I am beginning to think that this glass is fixed in both the SUV and the pick-up.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1A5EFa8UQx/

Some of the prototypes don't have struts, it's a stop motion video, so it was easier to leave it down.

 

[cadblu]

Not trying to oversimplify the hinge mechanism, but I think it would be fairly straightforward to install “spring loaded hinges” that can lift the glass panel automatically when the glass is unlatched.

The rear glass would also need defrosting wires embedded inside, so there needs to be a flexible wire harness. It’s always more complicated than it looks!

 

[sodamo]

Not trying to oversimplify the hinge mechanism, but I think it would be fairly straightforward to install “spring loaded hinges” that can lift the glass panel automatically when the glass is unlatched.

The rear glass would also need defrosting wires embedded inside, so there needs to be a flexible wire harness. It’s always more complicated than it looks!

What year did embedded rear window defroster wires become common?

 

[cadblu]

What year did embedded rear window defroster wires become common?

I recall my first GM car - 1982 Chevy - had rear window defroster wires. Earlier cars had that noisy fan that never worked well 🙂.

 

[findude]

I had a 1974 BMW and a 1974 Datsun 610 wagon with rear defroster wires. Volkswagen squarebacks had them in the late 1960s as did the Volvo 2xx series starting in about 1968. Definitely not new.

Also, in pickup configuration, the cab is likely small enough that just running AC will keep all windows defrosted.

 

[The Dude]

I think they may be doing a redesign on that back window . The upper window should be over the tailgate to prevent water intrusion. It will start leaking once the weather stripping gets old. Not to mention body flex. Willys figured this out 80 years ago.