Stockdorf/Munich. – The pulse and passion equipment variants of the new smart fortwo come with a lightweight, high-strength panoramic roof made from polycarbonate by Webasto. With a total area of about 1.2 square metres, it allows plenty of light to flood into the interior, and is at the same time the undisputed world champion in its size class for polycarbonate.

The extremely tough plastic has a special coating on the outside and inside to render the roof extremely resistant to scratches. A slight tinting additionally ensures that about 60% of the incoming solar energy and 100% of the UV radiation stay on the outside. It has been possible to manufacture a window of this size for the first time because of a production technology that the developers and Webasto have specifically adapted to the product. The product quality required for this is achieved not least thanks to a production machine specially designed for this purpose and which permits the necessary clean-room production levels to be achieved consistently.

With a wall thickness of only 4.5 mm, the smart roof not only permits a weight saving of about 50% compared to a conventional glass roof but also, at the same time, offers a maximum standard of occupant safety and reliable protection against minor scuffs and scratches (stone chippings) thanks to its extremely high impact strength. For example, all tests (e.g. crash, rollover, climatic change, etc.) demanded by DaimlerChrysler were passed with flying colours.

Furthermore, the outstanding material properties in conjunction with the high standards of quality in production allow the fasteners for the roller blind to be integrated directly in the roof element, an effect that further improves the overall look of the product. The blind is manually operated and produced using black polyester to provide optimum sun shielding and makes an additional contribution to comfort levels in the interior. Furthermore, the roller blind is designed without a retraction function so that it can be individually and infinitely variably positioned by the occupants.

The roof module and the integrated roller blind system are completely produced at Webasto and then bonded onto the safety cell at smart. Following the louvred roof for the Mercedes A-Class, the smart roof module represents the second major challenge facing the Bavarian component supplier in terms of polycarbonate processing. As such, it impressively underlines the leading technological position occupied by Webasto in this area.

Contact:
Hans-Joachim Lesser
Product Press
Tel. +49 (0)89 8 57 94-1433
Fax +49 (0)89 8 57 94-1399
e-Mail: hlesser@webasto.de
Internet: www.webasto.com