pure smart: clear vs. solid roof

[mr_Cash]

1) long term lives?
2) structural strengths?
3) durabilities?

4) your preference?
5) 'pure' past or future owner preference?
6) preference in cool mid-west, no air conditioner?

thank you

[MicroNut]

Here is a link to an interesting article about the panoramic roof:

http://www.ae-plus.com/Technology%20...Smart-roof.htm

[mr_Cash]

thanks. nice photo.

[Walrus]

Personally I would have to go with the panoramic roof. I have no clue about heat and such but there is a shade and I watched a video on youtube that had a demo of a guy on a bike bouncing on his back wheel on the panoramic roof so I imagine it is very strong.

[Old smart]

As I recall of that video, it was the plain black, ribbed roof that is a standard feature of all "pure"s, regardless of color. Anyway, there was some information that the panoramic roof was re-done in poly-carbonate (exceptionally strong stuff) to meet U.S. requirements.

[MicroNut]

The smart international English language brochure describes the solid roof thus: "The black plastic roof with a textured surface finish is particularly robust".

I think the robustness applies equally to the panoramic roof:



And if I ever catch someone doing this to my smart, they better be able to pedal fast!

[MicroNut]

Personally I don't like the textured surface idea, because that type of finish tends to show dirt badly and can be hard to clean.

Plastic is good though. Where I live, we can get severe hail storms (the golf ball sized stuff). Plastic panels are completely impervious to that kind of treatment, whereas a steel roof will end up with hundreds of tiny dimples.

[smartie yank]

The pure roof is a solid black ribbed plastic while the option is a clear, tinted polycarbonate. Both are extremely strong and are a structural component of the car. The cabrio actually has a heavier, stronger tridion to make up for the lack of a roof. The solid roof may be a little quieter inside as it has a full headliner.

The clear roof is like riding in a climate controled convertable without the wind and noise. It is particularly interesting in the rain, hail and snow. I highly reccomend it.

[MicroNut]

I notice that several folks have refered to the solid roof as ribbed. I know that the solid roof on the 450 had ribs on it, but on the 451 these appear to have been eliminated.

Take a look at this page from the international website. You will need to click on the arrow at the left of the film strip, then hover your mouse over the picture of the roof to see the full-size image:

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135207688...d-b6d27cdd58ba

[smartie yank]

You may be correct MicroNut. The picture does appear to be ribless and I have not seen a new Pure with solid roof in person.