Ford has unveiled the 2010 Ford Mustang with the glass roof option and just in case you're worried about the sun's rays, the roof blocks out 90 percent of UV rays. Ford even claims that roof's UV-filtering capability is equal to wearing SPF 50.
The glass roof option adds another $1,995 to the price of either the V6 Mustang or Mustang GT.
PRESS RELEASE:
READY FOR SUMMER: MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE GOOD FOR THE SOUL, GLASS ROOF PROTECTS FROM HARMFUL RAYS
Panoramic glass used on the 2010 Ford Glass Roof Mustang filters almost all of the sun's harmful rays and reduces cool-down time and wind noise while offering a convertible-like driving experience
Scientific studies show increased exposure to sunshine or bright light - like that provided in the convertible and Glass Roof Mustang - is therapeutic because it regulates the body's mood-regulating hormone and circadian cycle of sleep and wakefulness; also triggers a natural remedy for "the blues"
Panoramic sunroofs have doubled in popularity during the past five years; tilt/slide type sunroofs will remain dominant, followed by panoramic and spoiler types through 2011
The 2010 Mustang - including Glass Roof and convertible versions - builds on the safety success of the 2008 Mustang - the first sports car and first convertible to earn five-star ratings in U.S. government frontal crash, side impact and rollover tests
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:
The 2010 Ford Glass Roof Mustang and Mustang GT convertible, which are arriving in dealerships now, offer consumers sun-soaked driving and top-rated safety heritage. Fans of open-air motoring have made the Mustang convertible a perennial bestseller. Those who love the sun but want to cut back on sunscreen use can choose the pony car with the panoramic glass roof, which filters nearly all of the sun's harmful rays.
DETAILS:
The 2010 Mustang builds on the safety success of the 2008 Mustang, which became the first sports car and the first convertible to earn five-stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for frontal crash, side impact and rollover tests.
The Mustang's considerable body stiffness contributes to its driving performance and has an added benefit in accident protection. While the coupe's body structure is 31 percent stiffer in torsional rigidity than its predecessor, the convertible's is more than twice as stiff - creating a "safety cage" that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.
The front structure is designed to absorb and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. The Mustang's front rails have an octagonal shape designed to spread forces evenly at the firewall and progressively deform for increased protection in offset frontal crashes.
Protective sun-drenched driving
The 2010 Ford Glass Roof Mustang offers consumers convertible-like driving without the need for sunscreen, because its factory-installed panoramic glass roof 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.
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.
Good for the soul
Sun-soaked cruising is the convertible and 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."
Health experts caution that cool breezes in convertibles can misleadingly mask the sun's harmful rays as occupants may not feel as hot as when they're stationary under the sun. Therefore, dermatologists recommend the use of sun-block lotion or moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher prior for top-down drives.
Roof glass popularity rising
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. Since its introduction in 2008, the Glass Roof Mustang - which is available as a $1,995 option on both the V-6 model and the GT - has accounted for 10 percent of all Mustang sales. The convertible accounts for 25 percent of Mustang sales, and sell most strongly in California, Florida, Texas and Georgia.
Mustang is just one Ford model that features ample sunlight and generous views. The 2010 Lincoln MKS and 2009 Ford Flex, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX also offer sun-splashed driving enjoyment with an optional panoramic roof glass that is privacy tinted for the occupants' comfort and protection.
According to CSM Worldwide, over the last five years panoramic sunroofs have doubled in the popularity in North America. The installation of tilt/slide type sunroofs will remain dominant, followed by panoramic and spoiler types throughout 2011.
Comments (18)
Wow, a rolling greenhouse. Anybody ever own an early 90s model Camaro? Limo tint and still it was a hot as all be.
Posted by WVO | June 18, 2009 4:40 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 16:40
pretty cool lookin nonetheless
Posted by dub dub | June 18, 2009 4:52 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 16:52
pretty cool lookin nonetheless
Posted by dub dub | June 18, 2009 4:53 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 16:53
pretty cool lookin nonetheless
Posted by dub dub | June 18, 2009 4:53 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 16:53
You're reading my mind WVO. A possible 300hp Easy Bake oven. But the article says the glass blocks 90% IR.
OTOH, it's probably lighter than a convertible option, and definitely more durable in the long run. And it does look pretty good. The Mustang is a popular flop top platform, so this may sell good too.
I'm a tall dude, so i don't like sunroofs since they generally eat into my headroom. Especially for an extra 2 grand.
Scientific study may show bright light is theraputic, but using the same 2 grand to bolt on tire shredding horsepressure is just as theraputic. ;)
Hopefully they worked the water leaks out of this new accessory. The pre-2010's had enough issues with water leaking on the smart junction box in the passenger kick panel.
Posted by Trooper Bri | June 18, 2009 6:19 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 18:19
Blah, Blah, Blah.... Who cares! Sounds like a bunch of fluff from the folks at Ford trying to convince the general public that they NEED to buy into this concept, which in turn will sell vehicles.
Bottom Line? (raspberry sound from my lips)
My two cents
Posted by Mr. D | June 18, 2009 7:50 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 19:50
It's the equivelent of wearing spf 50 in the sun.... yet, if it had a normal roof it'd be the equivelent of sitting inside your house. Way to put a nice spin on discomfort.
I've got a sun roof on my car that tinted and leaving that thing open during the middle of the day is murder. I'd hate to have no way to block the light.
Posted by Ravicai | June 18, 2009 8:29 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 20:29
I can think of much better things to spend 2 grand on!
Posted by Tedders | June 19, 2009 5:21 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 05:21
#1 It's not a sunroof. It doesn't open so you won't have any moving parts or seals taking up your headroom.
#2 It's an option, if you don't want it, don't buy it.
Posted by Chris | June 19, 2009 7:01 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 07:01
God help you if you are caught in a large hail storm with that glass roof. No thank you.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | June 19, 2009 8:19 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 08:19
How much extra does this weigh?
Posted by RX-7 Guy | June 19, 2009 9:43 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 09:43
Hmmm... In one part of the article, it says, "the roof blocks out 90 percent of UV rays. Ford even claims that roof's UV-filtering capability is equal to wearing SPF 50." in another section, it says "96 percent of burn-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays."
So which is it? 90% (lets through 10%) or 96% (lets through 4%). In either case, that's NOT the equivalent of "SPF 50". In the former, it's like SPF 10, the latter, SPF 25. Makes you wonder how good they were with the math on, say, the whole design.
Oh, and blocking even 100% of infrared doesn't mean that it's not going to get hotter than Hades if the interior is black, or the clothes of the occupants are dark. I guess it's good that American car companies know how to build air conditioners.
Posted by Drummer | June 19, 2009 9:44 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 09:44
Might as well add a glass bottom while they're at it...
Posted by Think | June 19, 2009 1:12 PM
Posted on June 19, 2009 13:12
or a glass hood
Posted by DrJ | June 19, 2009 3:57 PM
Posted on June 19, 2009 15:57
Whoops. I'm guilty of not reading the press release thoroughly this time Chris.
I just looked a the pic and thought it was cousin to the motorized Panoramic Vista roof used on the Edge/MKX. My bad
I guess in this case i'd wind up with a little more headroom if it was something i would want.
Posted by Trooper Bri | June 19, 2009 4:51 PM
Posted on June 19, 2009 16:51
Drummer
There are at least 2 types of UV, A and B. I don't remember which is worse, B I think. It may block 80% of A and 100% of B which could give something like 90% blocked and 96% of harmful rays.
There may be a type C as well, or something else. Really don't remember, but I'm sure the info is easily available.
Posted by Teldar | June 20, 2009 3:03 PM
Posted on June 20, 2009 15:03
What do they mean "unveiled"? The dealership near my apartment has had one for at least a month now. Very shiny looking. Perhaps I'll take it for a test drive. (Already took a 2010 convertible for a drive.)
Posted by Wolfgar | June 21, 2009 8:39 PM
Posted on June 21, 2009 20:39
What do they mean "unveiled"? The dealership near my apartment has had one for at least a month now. Very shiny looking. Perhaps I'll take it for a test drive. (Already took a 2010 convertible for a drive.)
Posted by Wolfgar | June 21, 2009 8:44 PM
Posted on June 21, 2009 20:44