As an alternative to the gullwing-type doors beloved of supercar fans, today’s invention is a single roof panel, raised by a central hydraulic ram.
The ram would have an aerodynamic profile so that the roof could be lifted even at speed for some convertible motoring.
One advantage of this approach is that the opening of the vehicle can be done in a narrow parking space, without endangering anyone’s paintwork.
Secondly, the roof panel might have its angle of attack altered when open to act as an extra spoiler and generate drag-reducing turbulence or, in the case of true hooning behaviour, to provide extra downforce, when cornering.
Finally, once again the roof panel could be automatically triggered to limit the likelihood of a rollover accident.
