•Reduction of CO2 emissions with Eco Innovation solar roof
•Multi Optional Roof System: one interface, many roof variants
•First series order from Volvo for electric high-voltage heater
Under the slogan “Your Global Partner for Roof and Thermo Systems”, Webasto is showing several innovative novelties at the IAA in Frankfurt/ Main from September 12 to 22, 2013. In the roof segment, the Eco Innovation solar roof is impressive due to its potential to reduce CO2 emissions from cars. In addition, Webasto is presenting a new concept for roof systems – the `Multi Optional Roof System` – with which automobile manufacturers can react flexibly to different market needs. The new generation of panorama roofs rounds off Webasto’s offer in this area. A Jaguar F-TYPE on display at the booth is a real feast for the eyes. The soft-top of the dynamic sports car comes from Webasto. The company is also showing a high-voltage heater for hybrid and electric vehicles that is ready for series production. Webasto has continually expanded its heating portfolio with intelligent heating systems for all drive concepts.
Eco Innovation solar roof reduces CO2 emissions
Now that the EU and the European Council have introduced legal regulations to reduce the CO2 emissions of new cars, innovative drive-independent technologies are becoming more and more important. The reason: To reduce vehicles’ CO2 emissions, so-called Eco Innovations can be used. Since 2013, “battery charging solar roofs” have been listed in EC regulation 443/2009.
“It is not by chance that the potential of Eco Innovations is being researched and implemented so intensively in Germany and this underlines the innovative spirit of German supplier companies in particular,” says Matthias Wissmann, President of the VDA. What today is still unusual will be taken for granted in the cars of tomorrow. “Eco Innovations open up new technical potential, create new markets for environmental technologies, and create incentives for investments in future-oriented technologies, adds Wissmann.
“Our solar roof is the most efficient Eco Innovation right now. The CO2 savings potential of our `battery charging solar roof` is nothing to sneeze at. An internal combustion engine emits an average of 2.6 g/km less CO2 and a diesel vehicle around 1.8 g/km less when a solar roof is on board to charge the battery,” says Matthias Arleth, member of the Management Board of Webasto’s Roof & Components division. “This means that automobile manufacturers can reduce their CO2 footprint with our solar roofs,” he adds. The potential of solar roofs is of interest in light of the fact that fines have to be paid if CO2 limits are exceeded. The technical details of the solar roof: mono-crystalline high-performance cells, efficiency 20%, power 100 Wp, active cell surface 0.5 m².
Webasto is a pioneer for solar roofs on cars. The first Webasto solar roof was installed in an Audi 80 Coupé back in 1989. The technology of the battery charging solar roof is currently being used in smart cars employed within the framework of the car2go mobility concept.
`Multi Optional Roof System` concept: one interface – many roof variants Webasto is offering automobile manufacturers a new concept for roof systems enabling them to react flexibly to different market needs. “The idea of the ‘Multi Optional Roof System’ is that many different roof variants fit one vehicle interface. This means that different roof systems can be put on one car body variant. The advantage for automobile manufacturers is obvious: They have great flexibility in development,” says Matthias Arleth, explaining the concept. The vehicle is always planned such that the roof is integrated into the vehicle as a distinctive unit. As a result, the manufacturer doesn’t have to decide early on in the design phase which roof system should be integrated into the car in later models.
This is also a big advantage for automobile production. The reason: All roof variants can be installed on one production line. Possibilities include lightweight fixed roof elements made of PU composite, folding roofs, panorama roofs with fixed polycarbonate or glass panels, openable panorama roofs, as well as solar roofs with the possibility of on-board electricity generation.
A new generation of panorama roofs is having an increasing impact on vehicle design
Bigger, wider, more open – that’s what panorama roofs will look like in the future. Webasto shows this in a show car exhibit. The highlight: a maximum amount of light and air for the people in the car. The roof opening extends over the entire length and width of the vehicle. As a result, the roof system is becoming a major design element of the vehicle and increasingly characterizing its individuality. Other highlights: switchable glazing and ambient lighting.
Heating systems for all drive types
Today the heat from the engines of hybrid and electric vehicles is not sufficient to warm up the interior. Webasto has solved the problem with its electric high-voltage heater. “With Volvo, the innovation will be ready for series production in 2015. This shows that our new heating device has arrived on the market,” says Dr. Joachim Damasky, board member of Webasto SE and responsible for Webasto´s Thermo & Comfort division. “Our goal is to become the market leader in the hybrid and electric vehicle markets as well. With the high-voltage heater, we round out our heating system offer for all drive types and are ideally positioned for the future,” he says.
The water-heating device has an efficiency of up to 99%, thus implementing nearly all of the power with no losses. This is made possible by the so-called layer technology which Webasto is now using in heating devices for the first time. Another highlight: The heating device does not contain rare earth elements. As there has been no uniform battery voltage for electric vehicles to date, the device is conceived such that it can be utilized in areas between 250-450 V with no performance losses. The continuously adjustable heating power ranges from 0.2 to a maximum of 5 kW. The high-voltage heater weights only 1.9 kg and is distinguished by its extremely compact design. All connections are attached to the front side, enabling fast and easy plug-and-play assembly. The electric water-heating device is developed for standard equipment and can be installed in all hybrid and electric vehicles.
