Mercedes-Benz's Next-Gen SLK To Get Magic Sky Control

Mercedes-Benz's Next-Gen SLK To Get Magic Sky Control
Now you may be asking yourself, "What is Magic Sky Control?" Good question, let 00R answer it for you.

Essentially, Mercedes-Benz has taken its panoramic folding hard top idea and sexed it up a bit. How so, you ask? Well, look no further than the Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica.

To refresh your memory, the 575 SA had the ability to take its glass roof and make it tint at the touch of a button. Pretty nifty little trick, no? Of course there's some cool science behind it but if you ever want anyone to like you at a dinner party, you probably shouldn't concern yourself with it.

Mercedes-Benz's marketing team would like you to believe "...the system gives the feeling of being outdoors when it's too cold to put the roof down," but from first appearances it looks pretty damn similar to the panoramic option on the more high-end SL-Class. Not so outdoorsy in 00R's opinion.

With that said, what's the verdict Spies? Cool or "been there done that," kind of thing?


The sky’s the limit for Merc’s new SLK! The firm has released the first of what’s likely to be many teaser pictures of its new drop top, building up to the new car’s launch at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

The teaser features the car’s famed folding hardtop roof, but it’s fitted with Mercedes’ clever new sunroof. Called Magic Sky Control, the glass roof can be made transparent or darkened at the touch of a button...


[Source: AutoExpress]








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Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 10/9/2010 10:44:58 AM
0 Boost
So it's a folding hardtop with a "magic" sunroof? hehe, that's actually pretty cool. Although I wish their marketing team would distance themselves from that magic word...


LACMANLACMAN - 10/10/2010 11:09:29 AM
+2 Boost
Too cold to put the roof down? I thought thats what Mercedes "AirScarf" was for...


gforcegforce - 10/10/2010 8:48:14 PM
+1 Boost
It's a far superior technology than the Ferrari SA, which uses electrochromatic (EC)- the same thing your rear view mirror has. EC is slow but Magic Sky Control uses a technology called a suspended partical device (SPD) and is second to none in switching speed. APG is already doing this in the after market world. It switches within seconds and can be varied from to any state between clear and opaque. Research Frontiers is the company who developed the technology. Hitachi is supplying the film and I think Pilkington is supplying the glass. Mercedes will quickly end up using this tech on more of their models. Audi, BMW, Toyota (and maybe GM) are hot on their heals too- don't be surprised as this will become mainstream witin a couple years.


samwhitneysamwhitney - 10/13/2010 1:15:55 AM
+1 Boost
gforce, I've been buying the stock of Research frontiers (NASDQ symbol: REFR). Realy cheap and the word isn't out yet on Wall Street that Mercedes is using their patented technology. Pilkington pays REFR 10% of the cost (to Mercedes) of the Magic Sky Control unit.


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