The small, rectangle-shaped roof window is being outshone by more eye-catching roof designs. The design emphasis these days is less on the old tilt and slide sunroofs and more on glass roofs stretching the length of the car and smart combinations of convertible and glass roofs. In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked with Jan Just, executive vice president of Magna Car Top Systems about the company’s latest roof designs.
Magna Car Top Systems, a capability within Magna Steyr, designs, develops and produces vehicle roof systems, including retractable hardtops, soft-tops, panoramic roof modules, and removable hardtops for OEMs from the concept stage through to serial production.
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just-auto: Could we start by asking for your perception about the popularity of retractable hardtops (RHTs) versus the soft-top. Why are retractable hardtops so popular these days?
Jan Just: RHTs provide a coupé-like appearance on the exterior as well as the interior due to the colour-matching rigid panels. Also, RHTs’ wind-noise performance can compete with coupé-style vehicles. In the past decade, simple kinematics based on two-panel designs reduced the cost for these systems and made RHTs affordable for entry-level vehicles like the Peugeot 307 in Europe. This opened up a new market segment.
j-a: Over the past few years, we’ve seen the emergence of two-, three- and four-part retractable hardtops. Could this trend render the coupé obsolete?
JJ: Multiple-panel retractable hardtops traditionally require more complex system architecture and therefore add mass and increased structural requirements to the vehicle. Alternative materials, simpler solutions, and increasing production volumes may yield more competitiveness compared to fixed-roof vehicles in the future.
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By GlobalDataj-a: I guess getting the balance right between weight, packaging, styling, material, price, crash requirements, luggage compartment space and stiffness is becoming even more important. And the more sections the RHT folds into, the greater the complexity and cost. How do you set about achieving that balance?
JJ: Early involvement with the vehicle manufacturers enables proactive influence with styling and vehicle architecture versus reactive development, which typically drives complexity and cost.
j-a: I guess for luxury cars, RHTs tend to be more of a challenge because of the extra acoustic, aerodynamic and styling demands. Is that right?
JJ: Acoustic and aerodynamic performance on modern RHT systems compares to coupé-style requirements. As luxury cars typically put an emphasis on specific styling cues, inventive solutions introduce new challenges. This counts for RHTs as well as for soft-tops (i.e. the Cadillac XLR, Ferrari 430 Spider).
j-a: Are roof systems becoming so complex that the next challenge is to simplify them? How do you set about achieving that?
JJ: Today’s cost- and mass-reduction requirements drive simpler solutions with lesser components. Advanced design and analytical aids as well as early collaboration as outlined previously are enabling teams to achieve these goals.
j-a: With the increasing popularity of RHTs, is it conceivable that all convertibles will one day use them? Or are there entirely different target groups for soft-tops and hardtops?
JJ: Current demographic studies confirm different target groups for these products. OEMs also use the different roof systems to characterise their vehicles. Both systems will always coexist.
j-a: Could you give us some idea of the pace of growth of the retractable hardtop market in North America? What is the size of it today? How big could it become in a few years?
JJ: Before the economic downturn we have been seeing a slow but steady growth of the RHT market in North America. With the recent discontinuation of vehicle lines/brands (Cadillac XLR, Pontiac G6) the North American market appears to have declined.
As the carmakers are currently redefining themselves, future growth is expected. OEMs will keep using convertible technologies to distinguish themselves and draw customers into showrooms. The actual rate of growth for the overall North American convertible industry will depend on the recovery of both, the local automotive industry as well as the economy.
j-a: How do you see the further development of convertible design?
JJ: During the last decade Magna Car Top Systems has introduced world-class convertible systems that redefine the quality and overall performance of open-air vehicles. We will keep developing soft-top and retractable hardtop systems with a continued strong emphasis on quality, durability, lightweight designs, user interaction, fast cycle times and the ability to use the systems during driving. That will enable customers to take advantage of these systems more often and with less effort.
j-a: To what extent has the quality of soft-tops improved over the past decade? Presumably better-quality materials have brought benefits in acoustics and cabin temperatures, enabling us to drive rag tops comfort all year round.
JJ: Today’s soft-top products are all year-round products. Modern textile materials are designed to meet the lifetime of the vehicle. Durability requirements and validation procedures guarantee lifetime performance and quality of our systems.
