Hi guys, wondered if anyone knew:

Does the panoramic roof have an opening element to it at the front? (like a traditional sunroof)?

Presumably there is a full length blind to cover it up when its especially sunny out? Presumably its electrically controlled?!

Thanks in advance,

Lee

No opening function.

The blinds are operated by arms.

Left or right arm depends were you are sitting

Although we don't use the blinds that often.

Yeah, spent quite a bit of time in the Roomster over the last week or two and even in the heat of last weekend the blinds seem to do little to add shade to the existing roof.

I'm sure in very hot climates they're quite necessary, but in the UK I think its more that they "enclose" the interior when drawn. Certainly I love the open effect, but someone travelling in the car with us at night wasn't keen on the feeling.

Might just be the "doesn't feel like travelling in a cage" effect (I ride a motorbike whenever feasible ;-) ...

Certainly wouldn't be without them ...

Blinds are manually operated and located fore and aft and drawn to the middle of the roof where they meet.

HTH

I have a Civic with a glass roof which I adore - not when it's really sunny, but rather when i'm lacking my daylight fix during dull days. At night it's always closed as the flickering of the light through the roof is too distracting.

Anyway, when we shopping for the missus' Roomster I was dead set on a '3' with the glass roof for the same reason. We were really disappointed to find the blind over was perforated, not a hard screen like the Civic.

I could live with the manual operation, but not being able to completely shield the roof in summer was a deal breaker :-(

I never tried one at night, so I don't know if the blind provided is sufficient on that count though...

/R

Edited 23 September, 200817 yr by richard_jerome

We never had any problems with "too much heat" in the cabin with the blinds open, that includes a couple of weeks in the South of France 38'c. Climate coped with no problems.

Don't think our blinds have ever been closed.

Many thanks guys.

We never had any problems with "too much heat" in the cabin with the blinds open, that includes a couple of weeks in the South of France 38'c. Climate coped with no problems.

Don't think our blinds have ever been closed.

With that heat was it also still comfortable in the rear or is that only for the front where you have the vents directed to keep you comfortable?

The Roomster is the top contender as it stands to replace my 2004 Ibiza Sport 16v-100hp. So it would be nice to know if the panoramic roof is at all an option?

Considering local heat unless it can be cracked open like the wonderful sunroofs in the VAG line it might be a big mistake!!!

The glass roof is quite heavily tinted anyway (at least it is on my Scout) and reflects most heat and UV radiation out.

I've not noticed it getting particularly hot in my Roomster.

Not noticed our Roomster getting any more or less hot that SWMBO's old Black Magic fabia.

If it's too warm for you a quick blast of the AC sorts things out sharpish!!

I can't say I'd have chosen the roof as an option but it was on the demonstrator we bought so :D Love it now!!

My kids love our glass roof especially at night when they can look at the stars.

When we did have some hot days, I would pull the blinds across when I left the car. On my return I would open the windows (using the key in the drivers door trick) by the time we had sorted the boot out put the boys in the back seats driven 5 minutes down the road with the windows open it was quite comfortable. Less work the climate control to do.

Driving under trees during the autumn is a good enough reason to have a glass roof.

When the blinds are open the car has a very airy feel about it, it seems a bigger car.

what is this key in the door trick to open windows??? I have a fabia 2 but am very curious!

what is this key in the door trick to open windows??? I have a fabia 2 but am very curious!

Unlock the car by useing the key in the lock, when twisting to unlock keep the key twisted in the open position, the windows will then go down.

repeat the process in reverse to raise the windows.

I have a real issue with panoramic roofs.

The issue being, in an accident, WHEN the glass shatters, the roof is about as strong as a cabrio.

And they dont fair well if they flip - in fact many are fatal.

I have a real issue with panoramic roofs.

The issue being, in an accident, WHEN the glass shatters, the roof is about as strong as a cabrio.

And they dont fair well if they flip - in fact many are fatal.

Interesting point.

Is the glass not laminated like the front screen? If so, it shouldnt shower you in glass.

Body rigidity had always been one of my thoughts but then torsionally; thickish glass bonded all round would probably be stronger than the metal skin on the standard car wouldnt it?!

GOd for bid; if the car rolled im guessing it would be more (WARNING: technical phrase coming up....) wibbly wobbly than an all steel roof that would stay in place and attached to all points - A/B/C pillars... ????

Dont NCAP now test rolling damage?

I doubt very much that the panoramic roof makes any difference to the safety rating of the car.

I doubt very much that the panoramic roof makes any difference to the safety rating of the car.

True. The strength is not in the sheet metal (which is paper thin) but the box section across the tops of the windscreen, doors and hatch which forms a cage with the A B and C pillars. The sunroof does not affect any structural items and if bonded (like the windscreen) is probably much more rigid than the steel roof.

There may be a few extra lumps of safety glass floating about but there will be plenty of that anyway! However it may even make it easier for a fire crew to get you out.

Steve

True. The strength is not in the sheet metal (which is paper thin) but the box section across the tops of the windscreen, doors and hatch which forms a cage with the A B and C pillars. The sunroof does not affect any structural items and if bonded (like the windscreen) is probably much more rigid than the steel roof.

There may be a few extra lumps of safety glass floating about but there will be plenty of that anyway! However it may even make it easier for a fire crew to get you out.

Steve

Interesting. I'd have to agree with that now after some more thought

Many of the panoramics I've seen mean no reinforcing beam between the B pillars.

Can the glass really make up for that?

Many of the panoramics I've seen mean no reinforcing beam between the B pillars.

Can the glass really make up for that?

Is there actually a structural beam between the B pillars, or is it just a cross member to stop the roof flexing and hold its shape? (as in most monocoque car structures).

Would be amazed if Skoda offered it as an option if it meant removing or cutting through a structural member, especially give its ncap rating.

Even the original concept had no cross member and a full length roof....

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2006/01/25-skoda-roomster-concept/Skoda%20Roomster%20Concept%204-lg.jpg