The previous generation Renault Megane was famous for its notoriously overcomplicated headlight assembly. If you simply wanted to change a bulb, you had to unscrew the whole front wheel arch lining, get the tire out of the way and fiddle around for about an hour. So, it being made by Porsche, you'd imagine that the headlight assembly for the Cayenne SUV is even more complex. But it isn't…
We found videos showing that both the old Cayenne and the current model have a ridiculously simple locking device that holds the front lights into place. We're talking about something so basic, even an infant would understand how it works.
There's a special tool located under the trunk floor, like a tubular wrench on a long stick. You put that though a special hole near the headlight, twist and it unlocks the system from the body shell. As a result, changing a burnt indicator bulb takes a matter of minutes. How very German of them!
It's not only car mechanics who have reason to thank Porsche, as the system is very popular with thieves. Two years ago, we reported that people in the Netherlands were starting to notice the headlights of their SUVs were missing. The reason? They were being stolen to be used in marijuana farms. Apparently, the HID system projects the perfect light wave to grow healthy weed.
Russian thieves also like the Porsche model's simplicity. After taking them off the cars, they hold them for ransom. Notes are left in the windows of the cars saying that the devices have been hidden nearby and their location will be revealed after the driver pays a certain sum to an anonymous bank account. The currency used in the transactions is digital and can't be tracked.
Porsche isn't the only car company naive enough to install a car part that's easy to remove. BMW's badges can famously be removed using a simple credit card while the kidney grille require only a strong yank to come out.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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