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Mercedes-Benz premieres SLC model featuring Magic Sky Control
Mercedes-Benz premiered the new Mercedes-Benz SLC, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which will be available in…
Mercedes-Benz premiered the new Mercedes-Benz SLC, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which will be available in the spring of 2016.
The press release from Mercedes-Benz when the SLC was first announced stated, “A feature that continues to be unique to the SLC is the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control– this glass roof is lightened or darkened at the touch of a button.
This means that it provides an open-air feeling at any time, but when required gives welcome shade under a hot sun.” The Magic Sky Controlfeature, using Research Frontiers SPD-SmartGlass technology, is a carryover from the SLC’s predecessor model, the SLK roadster. The SLK was originally introduced with Magic Sky Controlin 2011.
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Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers, the company which invented the SPD-SmartGlass technology used in Daimler’s Magic Sky Control panoramic roofs, noted: “It is great to see Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology featured so prominently here at the Detroit Auto Show in a growing number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.”
The SLC, as well as the other vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show showed the popular Magic Sky Control option, including the newly refreshed SL Roadster, the S-Class Coupe and the Mercedes-Maybach S600, will be available for viewing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit from January 11-24.
The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature uses patented SPD-SmartGlass technology developed by Research Frontiers to turn the roof transparent by electrically aligning tiny particles in a thin film within the glass. With the touch of a button, drivers and passengers can instantly change the tint of their roof to help keep out harsh sunlight and heat, and create an open-air feeling even when the sunroof is closed.
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Glass or plastic using Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology effectively blocks UV and infrared rays in either mode, helping keep the cabin cooler, and protecting passengers and interiors. These benefits become even more important when a car uses large surface areas of glass, especially in warm climates.
SPD-Smart technology has proven itself in many aspects, from durability and performance, to sales. Magic Sky Control is now in use on thousands of SL’s, SLK’s, Mercedes-Maybach’s and S-Class models around the world. Before putting cars into serial production, Mercedes-Benz put the Magic Sky Control roof using SPD-SmartGlass technology through rigorous durability and performance testing in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth.