The trunk and little-known things: Mercedes changes everything

Simply put, the trunk is a space for luggage. Usually located separately, with a cover, with a separate lock, but there are also some types of trunks that are always in the cabin.

The trunk used to be just a rudimentary attached chest

Early cars did not have a trunk, and the cabin was quite small. Therefore, to store luggage, car owners often attach a fake chest as a trunk to the back. This phenomenon gradually became so popular that companies specializing in the production of trunks for cars were born. French company Moynat is considered a leader in this field.

The trunk was born decades later than the car

The first recorded automobile was the Benz Patent Motorwagen produced in 1886. But it was not until the 1920s, almost 40 years later, that American manufacturers such as Buick and Duesenberg began to integrate the trunk into the back of the umbrella. car, but the basic design is still rudimentary separate from the body.

The first truly integrated trunk appeared in the 1930s, on models Buick Club Sedan 1934, Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet 1936…

Hatchback was born from the trunk

To cater to the merchants who need cargo space, Citroen built the 11CV Commerciale with the trunk integrated into the cabin and double-wing doors, one raised up, the other dropped horizontally. It was this model that gave birth to the hatchback and became one of the most familiar body styles in the world.

The trunk handle is simple but appears late

In 1950, Ford introduced a simple but effective feature: Installing a handle on the trunk lid, allowing the user to open the trunk with one hand until it was fully open.

In the same decade, electric trunks began to appear, on the Packard Predictor that appeared at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show. Of course, electric trunks were initially only available on luxury cars.

Not all cars have a rear trunk

Rear-engined cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle and Chevrolet Corvair were originally equipped with a front trunk – a design trend also favored by many sports cars and supercars.

The Porsche 911 is a prime example of providing storage space under the bonnet. Many modern cars have both front and rear trunks.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class changes forever the trunk design

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 born in 1984 changed the trunk design forever. Before this model, the trunk looked like a large storage compartment on the car with a very high wall, forcing the user to lift the luggage a long distance before being able to stuff it into the tight space.

But the trunk of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 extended down to the lower bumper – a design that is still popular today. Not only does this make loading heavy items easier, but the trunk lid is also significantly wider than before.

In addition, the German giant also devised a hidden trunk handle that can be stowed away when the lid is closed. This design is intended to help users not get their hands dirty when opening the trunk.

Open the trunk not only with your hands, but also with your feet

Once a feature only available on luxury cars, electric trunks are gradually becoming popular even in the popular segment. This helps the car owner not have to open the trunk with one hand, and also need to manually close it. A higher development is to use a sensor to read the signal that requires opening the trunk from the car owner through … waving legs.

The trunk is no longer just a trunk

The trunk has hardly been improved for decades, apart from a few small additions such as carpet lining or high-end decorative details. But not with luxury cars. Another feature that can be found in some luxury trunks such as umbrella holders, chrome plating, even refrigerators and seats.

The volume of the trunk is sometimes not important

Basically, the larger the volume, the wider the trunk. But numbers don’t always reflect reality. Vehicle design can say otherwise.

Cars with flat floors, SUVs and hatchbacks with flat folding seats will help to store more items despite having the same volume as cars without a similar design. In addition, the rear body is less beveled, so it is much easier to pack. This can be visualized through the comparison of a house located on a square plot of land and a piece of land that is beveled even though the area is the same.

Is the trunk lid considered a car door?

With sedans, coupes, convertibles, the trunk is separate from the cabin, so it cannot be called a door. But with the trunk integrated into the cabin space, passengers can enter the cabin with the “trunk cover” open when needed, so the “trunk cover” is actually the back door. That’s why there are cars in 3-door or 5-door configurations.

Is the pickup truck considered a trunk?

Although the function is quite similar, the trunk is not considered a trunk. Due to the absence of a lid, the items on the trunk can easily be dusted, soaked in rain and sun, and also more easily stolen. So does the pickup have a trunk? Yes, for example the F-150 Lightning is equipped with a front or rear trunk.

The trunk is like Doraemon’s magic bag

In fact, in the trunk there are quite a few items of the manufacturer. These include spare wheels, tool kits, emergency warning signs, first aid kits, and even gloves for changing tires, CD drives (some older vehicles), hangers, and equipment. sound.

Some trunks even include a car battery – useful for cars with a small engine bay or needing weight distribution. There are also some small storage compartments located under the trunk floor or on the side of the trunk.