Best of Both Worlds
The cabriolet is a desirable type of car, its open top suggesting a carefree lifestyle and lots of motoring pleasure. But in places like Malaysia, where the sunshine is unpleasant and the weather unpredictable, a car without a roof is not always a practical proposition.
However, for those who want the best of both worlds, Bertone’s latest concept known as the KlappTop may be the perfect answer. The famous Italian coachbuilder has been developing cabriolets for decades and it has often chosen a BMW chassis as the basis. In 1961, it produced a stylish model using a 3200CS body and, in 1969, another prototype on a BMW platform named the ‘Spicup’ (for Spider + Coupe).
Together with Edscha, a company which is a leader in folding roof technology, Bertone has been delivering 3-Series cabriolets for some time. Edscha has also been the supplier of the roof systems for the Z7 and Z3.
But so far, such folding roof systems have only been seen on 2-seat coupe-type models. This year, Bertone has come up with a concept which is based on the 320 sedan that will allow it – at the touch of a button – to be transformed into a stylish cabriolet or an elegant sedan.
The concept uses the newly-developed KlappTop which is rigid and formed by five mobile panels, the rear one incorporating a glass screen. The mechanism has 13 links per side and is operated by two hydraulic struts powered by four electric motors. When retracted, the roof panels hide below the rear parcel shelf.
The 320 KlappTop was displayed for the first time at the recent Paris Auto Salon.
