Only light, or also air?
More and more car manufacturers are mounting a fixed glass panoramic roof instead of a roof that can actually open. This is not limited to the lower segments, because a real open roof is no longer an option with the new Volvo EX90 and BMW 7 series. The fixed glass roof panel provides light in these cars, but no fresh air. Is that fine, or should such a roof be able to open? We are curious!
The huge, fixed glass roof of the Volvo EX90 is necessary, according to Volvo, because it provides extra headroom for rear passengers. The fixed glass panel is much larger than a moving panoramic roof would be and extends beyond the rear seats. This makes the roof simply thinner than a regular one, whereby some form of covering is still used. That space is necessary because the electric EX90 has a more sloping and lower roof compared to the XC90.
Volvo EX90
The list of (especially) EVs that are only available with such a fixed glass roof is getting longer and longer. The Porsche Taycan is on it, just like the Volkswagens ID3 and ID4 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The biggest cause of all this is probably Tesla. That once offered a real open roof on the Model S, but has now reverted to ‘fixed glass’ for all models. The Model 3’s roof is essentially one large sheet of glass, allowing for a stronger slope while still providing ample headroom. As with Volvo, there is no sun blind or other cover, because that would take up space again.
Tesla Model 3
Speaking of ‘costs’: such a fixed glass roof is of course also lighter and cheaper than a moving, opening sliding or panoramic roof. Both are welcome in these times of electrification, because EVs are both expensive and heavy. Still: is that really that important with a Volvo EX90 of over a euro ton and 2,800 kg (!)? And what about the new BMW 7 Series? Buyers of that car or electric counterpart i7 will never really be able to enjoy the sun, because BMW mounts at most a fixed glass panel. A sliding roof, just like the Volvo, is simply no longer available.
BMW 7 Series with ‘Theatre Screen’
BMW’s excuse is the Theater Screen, a huge screen for rear passengers that folds against the glass roof when not in use. However, we cannot imagine that the target group for that gigantic screen is larger than that for fresh air in the car. Volvo even completely denies that fresh air is something buyers are waiting for. On AutoWeek’s question about the sunroof, it simply states that the car can be pre-cooled with the app, so that an open roof is not necessary. An unsatisfactory answer, because air conditioning has been around for a long time and a sliding roof has therefore long been no longer necessary to cool the interior. No, sunroof enthusiasts want fresh air. Light, sun, smells and sounds from the outside, without the practical disadvantages of a convertible. However? Or would you rather see such a solid, non-leakage sensitive glass plate? Let us know by voting and responding to the statement below this article:
“A panoramic roof must be able to open”
Do you agree with that? Why or why not? To be clear: the statement does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the AutoWeek editors.
That’s how it can be: the open panoramic roof of a Ford Puma.
You can add explanations and arguments in the comments. And, as always, your opinion does not have to be someone else’s. We should all be on AutoWeek.nl because we have a thing for cars, so be kind to each other and try not to get too carried away.
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