RANT: Flimsy plastic sunroof interior covers - WTF?

"ciscokidinsf" (ciscokidinsf)
11/23/2015 at 14:15 • Filed to: Sunroof covers, Rant, VAG, Volkswagen, Audi, WTF?

This weekend I attended the SF Auto show (AKA, the leftovers of the LA Auto show without any meaningful vehicles)

However, I just noticed VAG group (specifically VW and Audi) and a few others have started this very bad trend of using a thin, plastic, semi-transparent interior cover for the sunroof, instead of a proper, solid sunroof cover, upholstered by the same material the interior roof has. WTF is this shit?

The image above from an 2016 Audi S3 - WTF? The VW CC, Passat, A7 also had these horrible flimsy covers for the sunroofs.

First of all, they are semi-transparent, so on hot weather days it will add to the temperature and also get the interior to deal with more sunshine.

It is really visible when entering the car, as there is no way for an opaque cover.

An improper move and I bet one of your kids will punch a hole on the sunroof cover with anything pointy.

When you touch the material, it feels like paper or thin plastic. You can touch the glass when pressing against it.

Can someone share why is this a good idea at all? The weight savings have to be minimal, it looks halfway done. Doesn’t save space for taller drivers. I really would instead ask for a sunroof delete if I were to buy any of these cars rather than deal with these flimsy sunroof covers. I can’t stand them.

Why can’t they be normal??? - Below the 2015 Volvo V60 Wagon Polestar sunroof cover. Solid, properly upholstered. No bullshit. Me likey

So, what do you say Opponauts? I really can’t stand the flimsy sunroof covers that new vehicles are coming with. What could possible be the benefit besides saving a few pennies for each vehicle by forever giving it a bad cover?

DISCUSSION (11)

Ash78, voting early and often > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:21

Looks intentional to me — maybe to increase ambient interior lighting? I’m not a fan of flimsy, but I’ll take it over “saggy.”

I still prefer the Volvo one, but would be happy to have all hard surfaces on the ceiling, if it were offered. I hate cleaning headliners with a passion.

bob and john > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:22

what the hell is your kid waving something pointy around in the car?!?!?!?

and our 2010 A3has it. i dont mind it.

Im pretty sure it come from panoramic sunroofs, where you physically DONT have the space to hide one of the hard covers. Even a roll up one would be far too thick in the head liner. and why make 2 different mechanisms when you can just use one?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:23

Supposed to make it feel more open and airy, even when closed. I kind of like it.

ciscokidinsf > Ash78, voting early and often
11/23/2015 at 14:23

It may be easier to clean, I’ll give you that. But still, can’t stand them.

TheHondaBro > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:25

The Volvo one looks a lot like the one in my Honda.

MPA > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:25

My sister’s Tiguan has it - and on a 2 hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona in 100*+ temps, it didn’t feel hot at all

ciscokidinsf > bob and john
11/23/2015 at 14:28

Kids’ Toys, a pencil, a stick, a small flag, whatever is pointy and sharp enough would cut those covers for sure.

Agree that panoramic sunroofs dont have the space, but only the A7 on the cars I mentioned has a panoramic sunroof. The others have a normal-size sunroof.

bob and john > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 14:37

our A3 has a panoramic...LOL.

also, those are actually a hell of a lot more resistant then youd thing. you would need an actual blade to cut through it. it also part of the reason they are ‘flimsy’ do they have some give to them. and not get cut by a pencil.

plus they make it way more airy on the inside.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 15:13

The booths we install in SF are usually partial bits from larger booths, but not LA. LA and Detroit get mostly the same build or a modified version and will be much bigger. Hyundai is a double decker with offices upstairs in LA. It takes us a crew working 12hr shifts 24hrs a day for a week to put it in.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ciscokidinsf
11/23/2015 at 16:18

That is bad. Especially since, in my mind, the reason a person buys a VW, or Audi is the interior materials, and lay out. They are supposed to be a step above the rest.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > ciscokidinsf
12/15/2015 at 11:09

Having driven a current Audi with that kind of sunroof material, I love it. It’s different and gives a premium feel to the panoramic roof (and even “normal” sunroof)