The vehicle will offer an optional electrochromic roof that will use the Magic Sky Control name. Passengers can choose between a transparent or darkened roof at the touch of the button (the change takes a few seconds).
The roof also blocks UV and infrared light (in the transparent mode) thus allowing interior components to stay cool. Company tests have shown that the new roof keeps the temperature of interior parts, such as armrests, cooler by up to ten degrees Celsius, compared to standard green glass. When the vehicle is switched off, the roof becomes dark.
Mercedes highlights the fact that the roof not only serves as an interesting feature for passengers, but it also helps the air-conditioning system, and thus reduces the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.
“The operating principle is based on the physics of a plate condenser: if the glass structure is subjected to an electrical voltage, particles in the structure position themselves so that light is able to pass through the glass. If the voltage remains switched off, however, the particles position themselves randomly. This partially blocks the light, and the glass remains dark. The control unit and converter are integrated into the front section of the roof, and the switch is in the overhead control console,” explained the press release.
You can check out the press release bellow (PDF file) for more details.
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