Text: GM Europe / Pics: RTL
2006-01-06
All-New Sense of Space and Visibility for Motorists
World premiere in a production car / 11 patents filed
Rüsselsheim. Watch the world glide by in panorama format, thanks to the innovative new windshield now available in Opel’s sporty three-door Astra GTC. Production starts at the Astra-plant in Antwerp/Belgium on January 9. The large windshield extends seamlessly from the hood up into the roof as far as the B-pillar. With no cross-member to spoil the view, the windshield offers driver and all passengers a totally new sense of space and visibility with an almost unlimited field of vision, similar to the view from an airplane ****************pit. The engineers at the InternationalTechnicalDevelopmentCenter in Rüsselsheim filed a total of 11 patents for the panorama windshield during its development.
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The windshield measures exactly 1.5 meters from the hood to the B-pillar, has an average width of 1.16 meters, and a total area of around 1.8 m2. Thanks to this large field of vision, the GTC’s driver and passengers enjoy a unique experience, especially when driving through the mountains or a brightly lit city at night. From the outside, the windshield and the adjacent black steel roof, look like a single surface. This effect is further enhanced by the A and B pillars as well as roof lining, all in black.
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Stability: 5.5 millimeter thick laminated windshield ensures high safety
As is always the case, safety was also a top priority. The arching panorama windshield is extremely stable thanks to its 5.5 millimeter thick, laminated safety glass, which also benefits body rigidity. Numerous crash simulations and real tests during the 30-month development period show that the passive safety is comparable to that of the steel roof model, thanks to the GTC’s strong A and B-pillars and an additional cross-member in the middle of the roof, made from 1.0 mm thick, CR 340 DP grade steel, the roof frame in the same material, and the stable Astra body platform. The foil integrated in the panorama windshield prevents it from splintering or penetrating into the passenger compartment in the event of an accident.
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Sun protection: Easy-to-operate shading system
A warmth-absorbing, Solar-Protect layer in the lightly green-tinted panorama windshield also helps avoid overheating of the interior in strong sunlight. Interior temperatures are thus comparable with those of a steel-roofed GTC, but since the perceived temperature is even more important than the measured figure, Opel has also installed a sophisticated shading system. The steplessly adjustable shade is easy to operate via a knob in the ceiling. It disappears into the rear roof section when not in use and includes two fold-out sun visors.
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Hans Demant, Vice President, GM Europe Engineering, and Managing Director, Opel: “I am proud of the creativity and skill of our engineers, in realizing unusual roof and glass designs for a variety of different kinds of cars. Our long tradition in this area has now reached new heights with the panorama windshield for the Astra GTC, or the three-part retractable steel roof for the Astra TwinTop.”
![Image]()
2006-01-06
All-New Sense of Space and Visibility for Motorists
World premiere in a production car / 11 patents filed
Rüsselsheim. Watch the world glide by in panorama format, thanks to the innovative new windshield now available in Opel’s sporty three-door Astra GTC. Production starts at the Astra-plant in Antwerp/Belgium on January 9. The large windshield extends seamlessly from the hood up into the roof as far as the B-pillar. With no cross-member to spoil the view, the windshield offers driver and all passengers a totally new sense of space and visibility with an almost unlimited field of vision, similar to the view from an airplane ****************pit. The engineers at the InternationalTechnicalDevelopmentCenter in Rüsselsheim filed a total of 11 patents for the panorama windshield during its development.
The windshield measures exactly 1.5 meters from the hood to the B-pillar, has an average width of 1.16 meters, and a total area of around 1.8 m2. Thanks to this large field of vision, the GTC’s driver and passengers enjoy a unique experience, especially when driving through the mountains or a brightly lit city at night. From the outside, the windshield and the adjacent black steel roof, look like a single surface. This effect is further enhanced by the A and B pillars as well as roof lining, all in black.
Stability: 5.5 millimeter thick laminated windshield ensures high safety
As is always the case, safety was also a top priority. The arching panorama windshield is extremely stable thanks to its 5.5 millimeter thick, laminated safety glass, which also benefits body rigidity. Numerous crash simulations and real tests during the 30-month development period show that the passive safety is comparable to that of the steel roof model, thanks to the GTC’s strong A and B-pillars and an additional cross-member in the middle of the roof, made from 1.0 mm thick, CR 340 DP grade steel, the roof frame in the same material, and the stable Astra body platform. The foil integrated in the panorama windshield prevents it from splintering or penetrating into the passenger compartment in the event of an accident.
Sun protection: Easy-to-operate shading system
A warmth-absorbing, Solar-Protect layer in the lightly green-tinted panorama windshield also helps avoid overheating of the interior in strong sunlight. Interior temperatures are thus comparable with those of a steel-roofed GTC, but since the perceived temperature is even more important than the measured figure, Opel has also installed a sophisticated shading system. The steplessly adjustable shade is easy to operate via a knob in the ceiling. It disappears into the rear roof section when not in use and includes two fold-out sun visors.
Hans Demant, Vice President, GM Europe Engineering, and Managing Director, Opel: “I am proud of the creativity and skill of our engineers, in realizing unusual roof and glass designs for a variety of different kinds of cars. Our long tradition in this area has now reached new heights with the panorama windshield for the Astra GTC, or the three-part retractable steel roof for the Astra TwinTop.”
