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Uncompromisingly beautiful
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• Webasto/OASYS develops a metal retractable roof for the Volvo C 70 convertible
• Aesthetics: Coupe line remains untouched
• Comfort: Comfortable to get in the car, low noise level
Stockdorf/Munich. – The perfect coupe line of the Volvo C 70 convertible undoubtedly makes it one of the most eye-catching and beautiful cars on our roads at the present time. The appearance of some other convertibles can be spoiled by the dreaded rear hump for the roof compartment or because the windscreen is swept too far to the rear. Happily, however, neither of these factors impinges on the harmonious proportions of the open-top car from Sweden. This sophisticated overall work of art has been made possible by the developers from OASYS, the specialist convertible builder owned by components supplier Webasto, which is credited with bringing the first three-part retractable hardtop (RHT) onto the market.
The time between pressing the button and having the roof completely stowed away is about 25 seconds. During this short time, the boot cover folds open and the front part of the roof moves up and over the middle section. Following this, the third segment with the integrated rear window is lifted at the rear while the other two foremost roof parts located one above the other move towards the rear segment. Then, the three sections stacked into a compact package move over the opened boot with an elegant turning movement before disappearing inside. The split boot cover is made from aluminium and is designed not to swivel out beyond the rear end.
One of the most important development aims of the convertible specialists at Webasto/OASYS was to create a comfortable roof concept taking up as little space as possible so that a full-size four-seat coupe would be possible. The result was the three-segment RHT with an ingenious storage system so that the car’s rear lines are not affected in any way and, despite the hardtop having been stowed away, there is still a usable boot space available (with load-aid function operated at the press of a switch). In addition, and in contrast to many other RHT variants on the market, it was possible for the windshield pillar to remain far to the front. As a result, it is much easier to get into the car. The compact design combined with an ingenious kinematic system also make it possible to open and close the RHT even when in a garage. In addition, to provide the desired atmosphere even with the roof closed, there are two different light-coloured headlinings available to provide that coupe feeling. Another particularly advantage for passengers is that the noise level inside the car is exactly the same as in the coupe.
Endurance tests involving more than 10,000 cycles as well as summer and winter trials – some of which were conducted under extreme conditions – have ensured that the high standards of safety expected by Volvo have been met without restrictions. Even the selection of materials, for instance die-cast aluminium, aluminium or paper honeycomb, satisfy the most exacting requirements in terms of innovation.
The retractable roof is manufactured directly in the Volvo plant at Uddevalla. This minimises transport distances and allows precise delivery, just-in-sequence. It only takes four hours between receipt of an order until delivery. In addition, roof production can be optimally adapted to the shift model used at Volvo.
Contact:
Hans-Joachim Lesser
Product PR
Tel. +49 (0)89 8 57 94-1433
Fax +49 (0)89 8 57 94-1399
E-mail: hlesser@webasto.de
Internet: http://www.webasto.com/
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