Panoramic Sunroofs...
Discussion
I took one of the new peugeot models out last winter which had one of these. Much more fun than you'd expect it to be on the first few drives, but I imagine the novelty would wear off after a while. It was snowing and dark the first time we took it out, and I have to say it was a great experience for a passenger. But probably in the long run, not worth the extra cash and possibility of large replacement payouts if it cracked etc.
TheRoadWarrior said:
Whats the point? Same as auto lights/wipers, stereos that get louder with speed, lane departure warnings etc etc etc..... there is no point, other than to convince joe public that car b is 'better' than car a.
Surely that's the entire purpose of any feature on any car? To make the car sell in larger numbers and/or for more money.personally i quite like them, don't see it as a pointless feature, something like power fold wing mirrors is surely more pointless?
alot of light in a car makes it feel more spacious, and whats wrong with sunglasses when its bright? sun visours don't block out the sun when its low in the sky so surely everyone keeps sunglasses in the car anyway?
alot of light in a car makes it feel more spacious, and whats wrong with sunglasses when its bright? sun visours don't block out the sun when its low in the sky so surely everyone keeps sunglasses in the car anyway?
hidetheelephants said:
Perhaps more importantly, it's compromising the structural strength and rigidity of the shell. More stiffening would be required, and glass weighs more than steel panelling = more mass to lug around, poorer performance and worse fuel economy. Other than that it's a spiffing idea.
Apparently not. The one on the Mustang is no heavier and I think may even be more structurally rigid than the steel one.One thing people are msiing is that modern cars are increasingly claustrophobic with smaller and smaller windows so brightening an interior can be a very good thing.
The question that begs is if they can put glass in the roof, why can't they put more in the sides and rear?
Ford also points out that "scientific studies show that increased exposure to sunshine or bright light is therapeutic because it regulates the body's synthesis of melatonin, a mood-regulating hormone that modulates the circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness"
Also:
The 2010 Ford Glass Roof Mustang offers consumers convertible-like driving without the need for sunscreen, because its factory-installed panoramic glass roof filters 90 percent of the sun’s heat-generating infrared (IR) rays and 96 percent of burn-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The UV-filtering capability of the new Mustang’s fixed glass roof is comparable to sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of approximately 50, which exceeds the dermatologist-recommended sunscreen strength of at least SPF-15.
The glass roof’s ability to filter IR rays reduces heat load in the cabin so that occupants remain comfortable while enjoying the sun. The reflective glass also reduces energy used by the vehicle’s air conditioner system while protecting the interior fabric from fading and deteriorating.
And finally:
As for its structural design, the roof will be made of safety glass, designed to shatter without sharp or jagged edges. The glass roof Mustang will be built like a coupe to help maintain the vehicle’s structural characteristics. A layer of vinyl on the glass is said to reduce noise and vibrations while on the road.
Safety
Ford reports that the glass roof has been tested to meet the strictest safety and consumer satisfaction requirements. In a press release, the company reported, “During the development phase, production-level prototypes ran through a rigorous prove-out, including various water, air leakage, durability, squeak and rattle and vehicle dynamics tests.”
Edited by LuS1fer on Saturday 5th June 08:15
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