• The panoramic glass used on the 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang filters almost all of the sun's harmful rays while offering a convertible-like driving enjoyment.
• The Mustang's glass roof is a first in the sports car segment and reduced cool-down time and wind noise compared to conventional automotive glass.
• New 2009 Ford Flex and 2009 Lincoln MKS also offer large panoramic glass roofs as customers seek more sunshine.

DEARBORN, Mich., June 18, 2008 - The 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang, which is shipping to dealerships now, offers convertible-like sunbathed driving enjoyment without the need for sunscreen. That's because the best-selling sports car's panoramic glass roof - a factory-installed first in the segment - filters 90 percent of the sun's heat-generating infrared (IR) rays and 96 percent of burn-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The UV-filtering capability of the new Mustang's fixed glass roof is comparable to sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of approximately 50, which exceeds the dermatologist-recommended sunscreen strength of at least SPF-15.

In addition, the glass roof's ability to filter IR rays reduces heat load in the cabin so that occupants remain comfortable while enjoying the sun. The reflective glass also reduces energy used by the vehicle's air conditioner system while protecting the interior fabric from fading and deteriorating.

"The Mustang's glass roof gives customers more of what they want, sunshine, while protecting them against the sun's harmful rays," said Chester Walawender, Ford's glass technical expert. "But if an occupant wants less sun or additional privacy, the Glass Roof Mustang comes standard with a retractable mesh sun shade."

To ensure a comfortable driving experience, the panoramic roof is made of tinted privacy glass which reduces both vehicle cool-down time and infrared energy. Measuring more than one square meter in total size, the glass roof consists of two layers of glass with a layer of transparent vinyl in between.

The outer ply of glass is clear while the inner side is treated with a silver pyrolytic coating to reflect some of the sunlight. A thick polyvinyl butyral layer filters harmful rays and has acoustic properties that muffle wind and traffic noise by as much as five decibels. The inner glass layer further limits light transmission by 20 percent, and the manually retractable mesh sun shade decreases it even further.

Sun-soaked cruising is the Glass Roof Mustang's top appeal factor. Scientific studies show that increased exposure to sunshine or bright light is therapeutic because it regulates the body's synthesis of melatonin, a mood-regulating hormone that modulates the circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Sunshine also triggers the body's conversion to active vitamin D, considered to be an effective natural remedy for "the blues."

"I recommend light therapy - be it natural or artificial - to all of my patients, because it helps elevate mood and energy," said Dr. Douglas J. Arends, a psychiatrist practicing in Royal Oak, Mich. "Driving or riding in a convertible certainly is one way to enjoy the health benefits of sunshine."

The 2008 Mustang convertible became the first sports car and the first convertible ever to earn the highest possible safety ratings in new car crash tests performed by the U.S. government, including five stars for both frontal and side for driver and passenger, as well as for roll-over performance. Nearly one out of two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang and it remains the best-selling convertible. Mustang also earned first place ratings in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates' studies on Initial Quality, Vehicle Dependability and Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL).

"The Glass Roof Mustang maintains the brand's safety and quality reputation," said Paul Randle, chief nameplate engineer for Mustang. "Mustang owners have high expectations and we always want to meet them - with strong features like this glass roof option, plus quality and performance."

The idea of offering a glass roof was researched with Mustang customers beginning in 2005 to determine interest and pricing. Of those polled, 51 percent said the styling appealed to them and 42 percent said it would help make their car more unique. Ford dealer and marketing research indicate that about 20 percent of Mustang shoppers are likely to order the glass roof version, said Allison Revier, product marketing manager for Mustang. According to J.D. Power feature content research, 62 percent of buyers in the sports car segment wanted a sunroof/moon roof on their next vehicle.

The Glass Roof Mustang, which is available as a $1,995 option on both the V-6 model and the GT, is just one Ford model that features ample sunlight and generous views. The 2009 Ford Flex, 2009 Lincoln MKS, 2008 Ford Edge and 2008 Lincoln MKX also offer sun-splashed driving enjoyment thanks to optional panoramic roof glass that is privacy tinted for the occupants' comfort and protection.

According to CSM Worldwide, more and more consumers are opting for vehicles with some type of glass roof, with multi-panel panoramic sunroofs expected to double in installation volume to more than 260,000 by 2011.

"They deliver what appears to be a more spacious and less confined interior and are being used primarily on luxury vehicles, providing easy brand differentiation for OEMs," said Manuela Dennis, market analyst, North American Supply Chain and Technology Forecasts, CSM Worldwide.

Dennis added that as design and technology becomes less complex and expensive, panoramic sunroofs will become a market trend as volumes increase due to lower pricing.

 

It's an interesting look on the Mustang but it just seems like a larger non-removable targa roof panel. I hope I'm wrong.

 

I drove one around with the CDC glassback a couple months ago. It's a cool revival, but I was skeptical at how it would actually feel.

All I can say to all the folks whining about these: stop until you actually drive in one. The pics don't really do it justice. The interior stays quite cool, it won't fade the interior, and unless the sun is lined up just-right you won't have as much trouble as you might think. If you're tall (like me) it really does feel like you have a lot more headroom. It's pretty cool at night, too...especially if you get somewhere without a lot of lights, like a country road.

Downsides? The look sucks on colors that aren't real dark. Great on black or dark gray. Even okay on dark blue. Anything else and it kinda sticks out like a sore thumb. I've seen them painted with a see-through tint or whatever that matches the body color. That's not bad. If I ever bought one I'd probably go that route, since I favor the lighter colors (white, orange).

If Ford really wanted to do something retro and useful, they could bring back the T-top. But I doubt they will.

Either way, if you aren't the kind of person who enjoys sunroofs, then something like this wouldn't appeal to you anyway. So no matter what they did, you probably won't like it. If you are the kind of person who likes sunroofs or want that sky-view without the vert, this is definitely something to look in to. (no pun intended)

 

+2

Well said!

 

All they had to do was install a sunroof. It offers more light but gives you the option to open it up for more air. The best feature of a convertible without the squeeks, rattles, and wind noise.

 

I say bring back the T-roof

 

but is there a way for me to have a glass roof retrofited into my car

 

The T-tops are cool but I don't like the logistics of hauling around the tops. The sunroof or hardtop convertible is IMHO the best solutions. The glass-back roof is awesome looking but other than adding more natural light, it offers no additional ventilation benefits. It will still let in more solar load than a piece of sheet metal. Don't let the advertising fool you because otherwise we'd be using the same stuff on insurgent killing machines in Iraq.

 

You can get a glassback for any S197. You can't install it yourself, but you don't have to buy a new car to get one. (Might be cheaper, tho.)

 

not a big fan of it, but it looks frickin hawt on a Vapor stang..

 

Why a glass roof? I have an idea. Why not buy a convertible?

 

Some people don't like the way a convertible looks with the top up. Some people don't like having just a cloth barrier between them and the outside world.

At least, those are my reasons for wanting a glass roof over a convertible..

 

umm, no cdc glassbacks look terrible. i want a saleen scenic roof or the factory ford version. as for why not get a convertible, i'll go with "looks terrible with top up" i just wanted a coupe first. now i am thining the other side of the garage will have a vapor convertible.. not sure yet.

 

Fortunately, the SN95's looked good top up or down. The S197's do look significantly better with the top down but I just can't help thinking that the benefits of a convertible far outweigh the slight down-side of how the vehicle looks with the top up. As for the idea of only having some cloth over your head, I'm not sure I like the idea of only having glass over my head any better.

 

I don't think any of the various years Mustang convertibles looked bad with the top up. I would argue that, for some model years, the verts looked better than the same year coupes or fastbacks. [I thinking of the '71-'73 Sportroofs and Grandes here.] I like the fastbacks, particular the '67-'68's, but I think the vert's more formal roofline has a timeless look to it. The glassroof is not my taste but I hope Ford sells a bunch of them.

 

Definitely think the ragtop SN95's look better than the hard-tops.

 

Maybe we'll just throw a few more hints at Ford to get off their lazy butts and give us a hard-top convertible!

 

Apparently they have a lot of squeaks and rattles, of course they may not have ever owned one, much less rode in one....I was the same way before I bought my first vert, but I will never go back.

 

I am not a fan of how the S197 convertible tops look (no offense to vert owners) it's just personal preference. I just wish Ford had an optional factory sunroof for my coupe because it desperately screams for a sunroof.

Alternatively, a hardtop convertible wouldn't be bad, but apparently they do squeak and rattle pretty badly.

 

On the SN95, the chassis on the convertible had to be significantly reinforced to keep structural integrity at an acceptable level. The S197 chassis was designed to handle convertible duty far easier. For that reason, most people find the S197 convertible to be MUCH more stable than the one it replaced. So bottom line, there shouldn't be any complaints about the S197 convertible squeaking and rattling. Hell, my SN95 isn't that bad.