Monday 1st November 2010

New Merc SLK Gets Magic Sky Control

Only it's not magic, and it's not really the sky...

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For PHers with a need to believe in something, Magic Sky Control may prove as plausible as the existence of Jedi Knights and/or J. H. C. on his Popsicle stick. Others will seek a more rational explanation for Merc's latest innovation, so here's the official version.

The next generation of the SLK roadster (on sale next year) is to be fitted with a glass roof which Mercedes-Benz will offer with a 'panoramic vario-roof' - aka Magic Sky Control. Being transparent, it provides that open-air feeling even in poor weather, yet it can be darkened on demand in a matter of seconds thanks to some sort of electrically-susceptible foil.

"As such, by optionally affording shade and a unique ambience, it helps to ensure a pleasant wellness atmosphere in the interior," says the press release, and who are we to argue?

According to the release which accompanied these images, with an open roof, the sun load in the heat of Death Valley testing reached 1000 to 1100W per square metre. With the transparent glass roof it dropped to 200W, and when the roof was switched to darkened mode, it dropped to 40 to 50W - just one 20th of the original value.

"Now, that's Magic!" (Sky Control.)

[Blown2CV]

they aren't actually calling it that are they?

[pagani1]

The technology has been in house building industry for a few years. O for a simple convertible Porsche baby boxster?

[Blown2CV]

Blown2CV said:

they aren't actually calling it that are they?

ah spotted it 'panoramic vario roof' sounds more like MB

[MSportUK]

Wiring installation doesn't look up to MB's usual standards.

[MogulBoy]

How long before they move this technology on to side window glass?

[Herbs]

Didn't the Ferrari California have this years ago?

[GT2CS]

what a useless device - its like a sunroof that doesnt open but just goes transparent - why not just spec a standard sunroof

[ceriw]

'a pleasant wellness atmosphere' probably exists without the fancy sunroof....

[TommyBuoy]

A sun roof for a convertable? I never knew I needed that...oh wait...

[ceriw]

MogulBoy said:

How long before they move this technology on to side window glass?

i've seen this already on customised cars stateside - about 5 years ago.
the 'windshield' - windscreen- could have any design you liked, stars and stripes was the eg i saw, completely clear from the drivers point of view but a fancy flag from the street.
illegal thou for obvious reasons... driver could be doing something illegal like eating an apple or changing the ice volume etc...

[alock]

Is this news? MB have had this on the Maybach for years:
http://www.maybach-uk.com/models_interior_panorami...

[dmjw01]

I'd forgotten how good Debbie McGee looked in the '80s.

[JaybirdUK]

I remember my 1980 Escort XR3 having something similar, it had a glass tilt and slide sunroof which if I felt was letting in too much light I was able to adjust the light entering the cabin by invoking the Ford mystical solar ray hyper-cover (pulling the roof blind shut), it worked a treat!

Edited by JaybirdUK on Monday 1st November 10:46

[timewatch]

Not a new idea, maybe for a car though?

But' it is time they made Cars and Aeroplanes with solar panels added, this would back up
systems and batteries at all times.

Particularly help with fuel guzzling air conditioning and altenerators this should cut down on fuel usage enormously, especially on Aircraft.

I'm sure it wont be long before they have a Solar-paint, generating voltage for/from bodywork, that's if they don't already have it???

TW>>>

[Blown2CV]

nothing new yes, but the tech was phenomenally expensive... £10k on a maybach

[Fire99]

I'm still struggling to see what this will do what a sunroof with a slidey sunvisor hasn't already done for years (other than this one appears not to open so no feel of air breezing around)

[Matt_]

Sounds like something expensive to go wrong.

[peteA]

Fire99 said:

I'm still struggling to see what this will do what a sunroof with a slidey sunvisor hasn't already done for years (other than this one appears not to open so no feel of air breezing around)

If I'm reading it right, it a folding roof (convertible) with a glass panel that can have varying degrees of 'tint'...? sounds good to me but the cost..?

My wifes Reno Megane CC has the folding roof.... with a glass panel... and a built in blind/shade...acheives the same thing?

So not really new?

[angrymoby]

I'd hazard a guess that it's easier to use this than incorporate a sunroof/sliding panel into a folding roof. Would also be lighter <no pun intended> than the above too & if you're going to start saving weight, doing it above the CoG is a good place to start.

A better use of the tech for me would be to use it on number plates & link it to your alarm/immobiliser ...your car gets tampered with & it switches your registration to 'stolen' ...you'd obviously have to have a way to 'test' this feature, i'd suggest a button on the steering wheel

[Dagnut]

angrymoby said:

I'd hazard a guess that it's easier to use this than incorporate a sunroof/sliding panel into a folding roof. Would also be lighter <no pun intended> than the above too & if you're going to start saving weight, doing it above the CoG is a good place to start.

A better use of the tech for me would be to use it on number plates & link it to your alarm/immobiliser ...your car gets tampered with & it switches your registration to 'stolen' ...you'd obviously have to have a way to 'test' this feature, i'd suggest a button on the steering wheel

Would glass be lighter than Aluminium? I doubt it