Since Mercedes-Benz offered the first car sunroof in 1932, roof makers have found novel – and more complex — ways in which to let the sun shine into the cabin. Continuing just-auto’s series of interviews with leading roof makers, Matthew Beecham talked with engineers of Magna Car Top Systems (CTS) about their roof systems business, modular roofs and the challenge in providing a soft-top with a high-quality appearance without any wrinkles or optical impairments from mechanical parts, even after hundreds of opening and closing cycles.
just-auto: Could you talk us through Magna CTS’ roof system range?
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Magna CTS: We cover the whole spectrum of vehicle roof systems from development to production. Our product portfolio consists of soft tops, retractable hard tops, modular roofs and textile folding roofs. Soft tops may include structural, safety and appearance items. Retractable hard tops may include body-in-white roof module panels, a rear shelf with flaps, a tube frame, latches and locking systems.
We currently deliver roof modules for the Audi A5 Convertible and R8 Spyder; the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Corvette C6 Coupe and Convertible; the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, SLK Roadster and SL Roadster; the Nissan 370Z Roadster an Murano Cross cabriolet; the Porsche 911 Convertible and Speedster, the Porsche Boxster and Boxster Spyder, and the Porsche 911 Targa (modular roof); the Saab 9-3 Convertible; the Infiniti G37 Convertible; the Peugeot 308CC; and the Fiat 500 C. We have developed many roof modules for high-speed cars and have now launched a fully automatic soft top for a SUV.
just-auto: And your modular roofs?
Magna CTS: Our modular roof top range consists of two different roof types: panoramic glass roof modules and textile folding roof modules. We currently deliver a glass roof module for the Porsche 911 Targa and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 Coupe, and a textile folding roof for the Fiat 500 C for the European and North American markets. Each roof type is totally different due to the basic roof concept (textile or glass), and can be designed in different versions with opening of the roof panel or opening of the roof panel and the backlit, ranging from a simple manual basis to a high-quality electric drive unit.
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By GlobalDatajust-auto: Do your modules include, say, a headliner? I guess ‘folding’ in the headliner must present technical challenges in itself and what stage are we at?
Magna CTS: All of the soft tops, retractable hardtops and textile folding roofs we deliver include a headliner; material and design depend on the roof concept. Folding the headliner belongs to the challenge of folding the soft top or textile folding roof. The biggest challenge is to have a high-quality appearance of the soft top without any wrinkles or optical impairments from mechanical parts, even after hundreds of opening and closing cycles. Soft tops on the market already have a high-quality and high-end appearance, nevertheless we are always investigating new possibilities and are developing soft top concepts that are less susceptible for optical impairments. (In the case of panoramic and textile folding roofs, there is a fixed car headliner as well.)
just-auto: We are seeing a trend towards roof modules with integrated opening systems (multi-panel, etc). I guess modular technology supports the trends towards top-loading assembly processes on the carmaker’s assembly line? Also, I guess this provides potential for the use of various roof options on one body interface?
Magna CTS: Roof options like panoramic roofs and textile folding roofs are often assembled to the car as top-load systems. These roofs are typically a remarkable styling element. Bottom-load panoramic roofs will stay in the market for a number of models.
just-auto: What do you see as the market outlook for roof modules? And could we expect to see carmakers outsourcing more roof modules?
Magna CTS: Actually, in the last years we saw a small trend of insourcing the development and production of roof modules due to the economic crisis. However, with the growing market and vehicle sales, more roof modules will be outsourced and OEMs will focus on the core business again.
Another trend will be modular kits that make use of carry-over parts between the panoramic roofs of sedans or estate vehicles, or between C and D class convertibles.
just-auto: Is there still room to include more technologies and functionalities in a roof module, e.g. antennae systems, solar panels or the use of solar active foils on roof modules?
Magna CTS: These innovations already exist, but there is certainly room to include even more functionality, for example bringing additional light into the vehicle by the use of transparent materials or lightened top cover / headliner solutions. However, we see this demand more for vehicles of the upper and luxury segment, as aside there is the demand for lightweight design, so the challenge is to find the balance between functionality and weight.
just-auto: On the flipside, as we understand it, increasing modularity allows more design flexibility. Yet I guess it’s not just a matter of how many functionalities you include but how you include them. Would you agree?
Magna CTS: There is a demand for innovation but in most car classes the price which would be paid for it is very limited.
