Stockdorf/Munich. – It’s a sporty little runabout from Japan and its name tells you everything: Copen. The combination of “compact” and “open” clearly shows the aim of Daihatsu and Webasto’s joint project. This was to develop an advanced hard top system that’s reliable and convenient – and that takes up as little space as possible. The result has met with much enthusiasm on the Japanese market – the Copen has been a world-beater from the word go.

The switch for the electrically operated roof is situated next to a small storage compartment in the centre armrest. Open the two rapid-release locks on the frame of the windscreen and the car starts its automatic transformation from coupé to convertible. The trunk cover opens, the two roof elements fold together, disappear into the trunk, and the trunk cover closes again. And it all takes just 18 seconds.

The most exciting task for Webasto’s engineers in the development of this RHT was producing the optimum mechanism for the existing installations. Joint kinematics was used in the design of the trunk cover, in a combination of two four-joint hinges. This design is particularly torsion-rigid and is responsible for both the rear folding movement (retracting the roof segments) and for the forward movement. Because no other joints are required, which also saves on controls, its space requirement and weight are correspondingly reduced. With its control unit, mechanical components and aluminium roof casing weighing in at a total of just 25 kilograms, this RHT is a real featherweight.

Another technical highlight is the so-called “Soft Stop”. This is a comfort feature, which ensures smooth and reliable movement in all actions. Numerous sensors record all the necessary parameters, such as the position of the roof casing, the switching status of the locks and the vehicle’s speed. The incoming signals are sent via the BUS system to an electronic control unit, where they are processed, forwarded and saved. The same applies for any error messages, making problems easy to diagnose. In the event of an emergency (such as battery failure) requiring the roof to be closed manually, you don’t have the awkward procedure of opening the emergency vents first, because the electro-hydraulic actuators react by automatically losing pressure as soon as the power is cut.

Reliable, light and perfectly integrated, the Webasto retractable hard top guarantees sheer driving pleasure and puts the Copen on the road to cult status.