Liftgate with low-liftover liftglass

A liftgate assembly for closing a rear opening defined in a motor vehicle body, wherein the vehicle body includes a plurality of side features defining a vehicle beltline, the liftgate assembly comprising:

• a first closure panel adapted to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle body proximate to the rear body opening such that the first closure panel is movable between a closed position overlying the rear body opening and an open position allowing access to the rear body opening, the first closure panel defining a periphery of a secondary opening on the motor vehicle body when the first closure panel is in the closed position;
• and
• a second closure panel pivotally mounted on the first closure panel proximate to the secondary opening such that the second closure panel is movable between a closed position overlying the secondary opening and an open position allowing access to the secondary opening, wherein the second closure panel has an upper portion defining a window, and a lower portion including an appliqué defining at least a portion of a surface feature on an exterior surface of the second closure panel, the surface feature being in substantial alignment with the vehicle beltline when the first and second closure panels are in their respective closed positions.

A liftglass assembly for closing an opening defined in a body of a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes features defining a vehicle beltline that intersects the opening, the liftglass assembly comprising:

• a glass panel adapted to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle body proximate to the opening such that the glass panel is movable between a closed position overlying the opening and an open position allowing access to the opening, the glass panel having an upper portion defining a window, and a lower portion positioned beneath the window when the glass panel is in the closed position;
• and
• a surface feature secured to the lower portion of the glass panel, the surface feature substantially traversing the lower portion of the glass panel in substantial alignment with the vehicle beltline when the glass panel is in the closed position.

A liftgate assembly for closing a rear opening defined in a motor vehicle body, wherein the vehicle body includes a plurality of side features defining a vehicle beltline, the liftgate assembly comprising:

• a first closure panel adapted to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle body proximate to the rear body opening such that the first closure panel is movable between a closed position overlying the rear body opening and an open position allowing access to the rear body opening, the first closure panel defining a periphery of a secondary opening in the motor vehicle body when the first closure panel is in the closed position;
• and
• a second closure panel pivotally mounted on the first closure panel proximate to the secondary opening such that the second closure panel is movable between a closed position overlying the secondary opening and an open position allowing access to the secondary opening, wherein the second closure panel has an upper portion defining a window, and a lower portion including a raised surface feature in substantial alignment with the vehicle beltline when the first and second closure panels are in their respective closed positions.