Transparent Chassis System and 540° Cameras – How to See Through the Hood

Among the many electronic assistants found in modern crossovers, one feature stands out: "transparent chassis." It creates an image of the area directly beneath the front of the car on the display, as if the hood had become invisible. The driver can observe what’s hidden from view: curbs, potholes, rocks, and protruding rebar. The technology relies on multiple cameras, whose data is software-stitched together to create a single image.

Although this solution has its roots in the developments of British SUV manufacturers, today it is available in cars of a completely different price segment.

Where did the idea of a transparent hood come from?

Jaguar Land Rover first unveiled the Transparent Bonnet concept on the Discovery Vision Concept. Cameras mounted in the grille captured images of the road ahead of the bumper, then projected the image onto the head-up display. This allowed the driver to see the vehicle’s line of travel and any obstacles already hidden under the hood. The technology sparked intense interest among engineers worldwide.

The idea proved so successful that other brands adopted it. Toyota implemented something similar in its Multi-Terrain Monitor system for its Land Cruiser SUVs. However, in both cases, these were vehicles priced well over five million rubles. The introduction of a similar feature in compact crossovers from China significantly raised the technology’s affordability threshold.

How the 540° all-round visibility system works

Conventional 360-degree cameras use four lenses — one each in the front, rear, and side mirrors. They create a bird’s-eye view from above, known as a "bird’s-eye perspective." The 540° system adds to this the extended field of view of each camera and a software algorithm that creates a three-dimensional projection of the surrounding area. The result is an image that covers not only the perimeter but also the visually visible area underneath the vehicle.

Technically, there’s no such thing as an "under-the-hood" camera. The illusion of transparency is created differently. The front camera captures footage of the road ahead of the bumper. As the car moves forward, these frames are stored in the processing unit’s buffer memory. As the road moves under the hood, the stored frames are displayed on the screen — precisely linked to the vehicle’s speed and position.

This creates a kind of time shift: the driver sees what the front camera captured just seconds earlier. The overlay accuracy is so high that it creates the illusion of a transparent body. The slower the movement, the less lag and the more accurate the image.

Where does this work in practice?

Parking near a high curb is a classic example. The driver can’t see where exactly the curb ends and the bumper begins. Parking sensors emit an audible warning but don’t provide a visual image. The "transparent chassis" feature displays the curb on the screen as if it were visible through metal. This reduces the risk of damaging the lower edge of the bumper or trim.

Another scenario involves the EXEED LX FL crossover on a deeply rutted dirt road. Ground and 4x4 modes adapt the all-wheel drive and 7DCT automated manual transmission, while the cameras show the terrain beneath the vehicle. The driver can assess the rut depth and choose a suitable line without leaving the vehicle. The vehicle’s ground clearance is 169 mm in the all-wheel drive version, and every millimeter of headroom matters on rough terrain.

Driving onto an overpass or lift is another typical situation. Narrow guide rails require precise alignment of the wheels. The all-round camera in "transparent chassis" mode displays the vehicle’s path relative to the rails, making driving easier even for an inexperienced driver. This is especially useful in cramped urban service stations, where maneuvering space is minimal.

Driving modes and interaction with cameras

All-wheel drive versions of the vehicle feature six driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Ground, and 4x4. These modes are controlled by a rotary dial on the center console. Snow, Ground, and 4x4 modes alter the torque distribution algorithms between the axles, throttle settings, and the degree of intervention of the electronic stability control systems.

The 540° cameras work regardless of the selected mode, but are especially useful when paired with Ground and 4x4. When the electronics reconfigure the all-wheel drive for maximum traction, the cameras simultaneously provide a picture of the terrain. This combination allows for faster decision-making: when you spot an obstacle, you adjust the steering wheel, and the electronics automatically adjust the traction.

Snow mode activates a softer throttle response and distributes torque to minimize wheelspin. The cameras in this mode help identify ice patches or uneven surfaces hidden under snow. However, it’s important to note that the "transparent chassis" feature depends on the lens being clean. Snow or dirt stuck to the camera deprives the system of the original data, rendering the image useless.

What the system sees and what it doesn’t

The technology has limitations, and they should be addressed openly. The image "under the hood" isn’t a live stream. It’s a buffered recording with a delay of several seconds. If a moving object appears on the road — a cat, a ball, a child — the camera will only show it if it entered the frame before the buffering process. Relying on a "transparent chassis" as a substitute for attentiveness is no substitute.

The system switches off when a certain speed is exceeded — usually around 20–30 km/h. This is logical: at higher speeds, the delay between the real image and the buffered frame becomes too great, and the image becomes inaccurate. The function is designed for low-speed maneuvers, such as parking, driving over obstacles, and entering tight spaces.

Another detail is resolution. Cameras provide sufficient detail to detect large obstacles, but small objects like nails and shards of glass may go unnoticed. Parking sensors and ultrasonic sensors complement the image, but none of the existing systems provide perfect protection against minor damage.

The role of software processing

A dedicated processor installed in the multimedia system unit is responsible for stitching the images. It receives data streams from each camera, corrects for wide-angle lens distortions, and combines the images taking into account the vehicle’s geometry. The result is a seamless panorama that the driver perceives as a single frame.

The quality of stitching depends on calibration: if the camera has shifted due to an impact or a rough pressure wash, gaps may appear at the image seams. In practice, this rarely happens — the modules are rigidly mounted and designed to withstand vibration. However, when buying a used car, it’s worth checking the operation of all four cameras, paying particular attention to the seams of the panorama.

The processor is also responsible for overlaying auxiliary graphics: side markers, predicted trajectory when turning the steering wheel, and colored markers indicating distances to obstacles. All of this is drawn over the video stream with minimal latency — approximately 100–150 milliseconds — which is virtually unnoticeable during high-speed parking maneuvers.

Comparison of sales across different brands

Land Rover integrated a "transparent hood" with a head-up display projected onto the windshield. This eliminates the need for the driver to take their eyes off the road — a significant advantage. However, the HUD projection is limited in viewing angle and is dependent on external lighting: in bright sunlight, the image fades and is less readable.

The Toyota Multi-Terrain Monitor uses cameras mounted under the vehicle’s underbody on protective covers. This provides a live feed rather than a buffered image. However, the cameras’ low position makes them vulnerable to mechanical damage when they come into contact with the ground or rocks.

The EXEED compact crossover’s implementation utilizes a central 12.3-inch touchscreen display. There is no head-up display (HUD), but the high resolution of the screen and its location in the driver’s direct line of sight partially compensate for this. Cameras are installed in standard positions — the grille, mirror caps, and tailgate — simplifying maintenance and reducing the risk of mechanical damage.

Activation and setup

The "Transparent Chassis" feature is available on trims with a 540° Surround View system. Base trims include a rearview camera with dynamic markings and a simplified chassis visualization, but full 360-degree visibility with a transparent effect is only available on the higher trims — Prestige Plus and Premium.

Activation occurs automatically when the speed drops below a set threshold. The driver can manually activate the image using a button on the center console or via the multimedia system touchscreen. Switching between views — bird’s-eye view, front camera, and transparent chassis — is accomplished by tapping the corresponding icon on the display.

Camera calibration typically requires no intervention: the system is factory-set and maintains its settings throughout its lifespan. Maintenance consists of regularly cleaning the lenses. If the lenses become heavily soiled, the system displays a warning on the screen. Should a camera fail, replacing it can be done at the dealership without disassembling the entire bumper — each module is mounted on a separate bracket.

Practical value in urban conditions

Parking lots in shopping centers and residential courtyards are where the "transparent chassis" is most often used. Low barrier posts, concrete hemispheres, and chains between posts — all of these are in the blind spot of normal vision. The system displays these objects on the screen, giving the driver a few extra seconds to react.

In winter, when curbs are hidden under a layer of snow, the feature proves even more useful. The driver can see the outlines of obstacles using buffered frames captured by the front camera before the snow obscured their view. Of course, if the entire front of the car is already covered in ice and the lens is blocked, the system will not work — something worth keeping in mind when parking for long periods in freezing temperatures.

The 1,598 cc turbocharged engine produces 110 kW and 275 Nm of torque. These figures ensure confident maneuvering at low speeds, while the 7DCT automated manual transmission delivers power smoothly and without jerking. Combined with the 540° cameras, this creates conditions that make even difficult parking a breeze.