Four-seater concept car "Karmann
Transformer" reveals a new dimension in roof systems
Innovative "Dual Top" roof
concept offers more space in the interior and trunk
Rear glass dome gives maximum
vision and allows the designers more freedom in the design of the vehicle
Vertically adjustable chassis
and retractable protective edgings offer good protection on the gravel road
With
the "Karmann Transformer" four-seater concept car Wilhelm Karmann GmbH is
presenting a new approach on the occasion of the corporate centenary celebrations
with the construction of coupe and convertible roof concepts. The so-called
"Dual Top" roof system consists of a front textile soft-top portion and a rear
fixed glass dome. The central feature of the concept car which will be introduced
at the coming Frankfurt International Motor Show is the "Dual Top" roof system.
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It consists of the front softtop
section and a connected glass roof. Both halves of the hood retract electro-hydraulically
into the boot in such a compact manner that substantially more stowage space
remains than in vehicles with the conventional "Retractable Hardtop". In addition
there are optical and functional advantages which makes the system especially
attractive for the compact and middle class vehicles.
With the new canopy solution
we are combining the best of both worlds.", Winfried Bunsmann, head of the
Karmann's concept Team is convinced. "The Dual Top canopy offers even more
advantages. It opens more free-space to the designers regarding the layout
of the rear of the car, improves the often unsatisfactory vision with the
sloping rear for convertibles that have a fabric canopy, offers the rear passengers
an increase in shoulder space and leaves more storage space in the trunk.
"
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Developed in eight months
at the Karmann's headquarters in Osnabrück, the study also
demonstrates its transformation capability in another way: Due to the
vertically adjustable chassis, its body can be raised by up to 65 mm is
required. The sporty coupe/convertible can therefore tackle the gravel shoulder beside the tarmac road without difficulty,
particularly as protective aluminum edgings project from the bumpers and
skirting. They protect the under part of the body shell from stones and ground
contact.
Mr. Thieme,
CEO of Karmann, Osnabrueck, Germany2001
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With this 410 liters fit
into the 4.38 meter long Transformer with a closed canopy and even 280
liters with the canopy lowered into the trunk (according to VDA standard)
- a significantly higher volumes than by the models with conventional
retractable hardtop.
The Karmann Transformer advances
the exterior and interior styling of the coupe concept car that was shown
at the 1999 Frankfurt International Motor Show by Karmann. Small chassis overhangs,
20 inch rims, stressed developed wheel-wells and rectangular exhaust pipes
however allow the Transformer to appear more sporty.
Karmann's chief designer Jörg
Steuernagel combined modern elements with classical quotes of the Karmann
Ghia Coupé in the Transformer. To the newly interpreted Karmann Ghia icons
count the Z type rising flanges from front to rear on the swage line (called
"Z Flitzer- sporty little thing - in Karmann jargon), the forward cold air
vents, the concise central outline of the bonnet and the vertical rear-lights.
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