Let air and light into the car: all about the car sunroof!

The outdoor convertible experience is definitely sensational. The feeling of wind, light and solar heat creates a unique driving experience that can hardly be compared to any other driving pleasure. Riding in an open convertible can be fabulous, these fun models are completely impractical when the weather isn't favourable. If you prefer a little more light and air in a regular car, there are other solutions.

A traditional, if old-fashioned, steel sliding sunroof.

Until recently, a sliding roof was a standard option on many cars that could be ordered when buying a new car. The steel sliding roof consists of a stamped part of the roof panel equipped with a mechanism. The steel sliding sunroof retracts discreetly under another part of the roof using an electric or manual lift , giving the driver the feel of a convertible.

Unfortunately, the steel sliding sunroof has a number of disadvantages. . Firstly, mechanism: many designs suffer from jamming of parts, breaking off, the appearance of play, or the presence of another defect. The mechanism is hidden under the ceiling covering, which complicates the repair . In addition, spare parts are difficult to obtain even for later models of cars. Steel sliding sunroofs are not as susceptible to damage as electric folding roofs although when they get stuck it can get expensive .

Retractable roofs leak . Almost no building is an exception. Installing a clean spacer between the sliding element and the rest of the roof panel is a rather cumbersome installation. When the rubber becomes brittle or begins to shrink, sealing is the first to suffer. Water dripping on the driver when it rains or when visiting a car wash - not a very pleasant feeling. Although this repair is not as complicated as a faulty mechanism, it is still a nuisance.

After all, wind noise was a constant companion of retractable roofs. . Several solutions have been developed, such as the installation of draft limiters in front of openings. Although they were effective, they did not look attractive. In addition, they caused an increase in air resistance and, consequently, fuel consumption. .

In the 80s and 90s years, there has been a trend towards retractable roof upgrades for which a hole had to be cut in the roof. There was an option with a retractable roof or a sliding roof installed on the car. These decisions were at best tolerable and caused a decrease in the value of the car, not an increase.

Away through aerodynamics

Nowadays, the sliding roof is becoming more and more problematic due to complex body shapes. . The roof element requires an insertion between the ceiling and the roof panel, which requires a flat roof.

The heavily curved roofs of many modern vehicles make the installation of a sliding roof nearly impossible. . To the extent that it is still available, a compromise applies. AT Hyundai IX20 the sliding element slides over the top of the roof, thus protruding into the wind flow while driving and disrupting aerodynamics. In addition, these solutions inevitably create wind noise. . Thus, the final end of the retractable roof is already visible.

Mostly extinct: Targa top and T-bar.

Unfortunately, the practical sunroof versions "targa top" and "T-bar" are all but extinct. . Both solutions almost managed to combine convertible and coupe. Verkh Targi allowed to remove the middle part of the roof. The pioneer and main provider of this solution was Porsche c 911 ... FROM 70s to 90s company Baur equipped modern BMW 3 models with targa roofs .

It had advantage for the driver in getting the experience of a convertible, although the car was considered a closed sedan, which gave financial advantage regarding tax and insurance liabilities. By their appearance Baur convertibles could never compete with real BMW convertibles. Targa peaks are almost gone today .

T-beam (T-top in America) rarely seen on European cars . This feature of the equipment became famous mainly coupe USA. Firebird, Camaro, Corvette or GTO with their T-beam were considered closed compartments. The almost completely removable roof made these cars almost convertible.

Technically, the T-bar differs from the targa top by the remaining rigid bar in the middle. dividing the roof into two separate halves, which were removable. This had its benefits for body strength . The roof is not interrupted, which makes the structural reinforcement of the bottom unnecessary. However, the T-bar has also all but disappeared from the market. This is somewhat unfortunate. A particular advantage of the two small T-beam roof halves was that they could be easily removed. .

As an alternative to the loophole: panoramic roof

В 1950-x years panoramic windshield was standard equipment for cars. He could be recognized by A-pillar . Instead of direct full-length support, the front the post was curved, like an S or C-shaped component . A suitable windshield provided excellent all-round visibility. In particular, the driver's view was free from interfering supports.

This solution had a serious drawback: it extremely weakened the body, especially in the roof area. . In the event of an accident, even large American highway cruisers fell apart like cardboard, and many paid with their lives for this comfort.

About in 20 years The automotive industry has taken a turn. Instead of thin and fragile A-pillars and C-pillars and huge glass surfaces, modern cars are the opposite: thick, strong pillars and windows are getting smaller and smaller, turning cars into fortresses.

The effect has its price. Cars have never been as safe as they are now - and all-round visibility has never been worse . Technologically, this is compensated by rear-view cameras, parking sensors and parking sensors, although the dark interior capsules of today's cars do not particularly suit anyone.

The new trend is again a roof with a panoramic view with a large glass panel replacing the front of the roof panel, effectively making the windshield bigger. Unlike the cars of the 50s, the windshield just goes over the front roof . While this does not improve the driver's view of other road users, it does provide a more comfortable driving experience as more sunlight can enter the vehicle again.

Not all benefits

In standard vehicles, the panoramic roof is a rigid element that cannot be opened. Passengers experience convertible's easy shower without fresh air, if the panoramic roof, if it is not equipped with a sliding roof - with its previously mentioned disadvantages .

True convertible convertibles tend to be fitted with a panoramic roof. Renaultwas a pioneer in this field. In the meantime, other manufacturers have followed suit and offered it as an optional feature.

Technically, glass pop-up roofs are as good as their metal counterparts. . Hard glass is much less impervious to light impacts such as hail, tree branches or fine sand than thin body metal.

When closed, panoramic roofs increase the terrible greenhouse effect in the car. . Ordering a car with a panoramic roof without air conditioning can be considered worthless . In the parking lot, cars with panoramic roofs are extremely dangerous for everything and everyone in the car. Children and animals suffer after a short period of time . Therefore, handling a vehicle with a panoramic roof requires sensible practice.

Intractable conflict

Light and air versus safety and driving comfort “The balance between driving pleasure and practicality should be the next step for a sunroof. From a technical point of view, the conflict between dull coupes and exciting convertibles can hardly be resolved. Many intermediate solutions and compromises bring more problems than benefits.

At some point, the solution may be a flexible screen mounted on the ceiling. . This would give passengers a sense of convertibility without compromising the strength and safety of the bodywork. Never say never. The automotive industry has come up with a lot of crazy things...