Keep the elements out
A sunroof may enhance your drive feel but the prices are sky-high
It is an expensive accessory meant to enhance your driving experience. A vent in your automobile that lets you experience nature first hand. And in the process, increase your comfort behind the wheels. The sunroof may not find many takers in the country at the moment, but auto manufacturers are mulling over offering it to the discerning. The next S-class Mercedes may have it. The Chevrolet Optra offers it already.
According to Webasto Motherson Sunroofs Limited brand manager Tanul Bhartiya, who launched a range of top-of-the-line sunroofs in the city last week, “There are no organised sunroof manufacturers in India. Contrary to popular perception, a sunroof doesn’t just open the sun into your car, it also locks the heat out too. In fact, it makes your A/C more effective,” he announces.
According to Bhartiya, the logic behind this is simple. If your car traps the rays of the sun on a typical Delhi afternoon while you are out having a power lunch, just open the sunroof before you cruise back to office. The heat trapped inside will automatically diminish and the A/C will be better. But the products from Webasto, the world leaders in sunroofs, cost a fortune. “It is a lifestyle product. We are targetting people who own D-segment cars such as the Optra, the Octavia and the Mercedes,” says Bhartiya.
At Rs 14,000, you get the basic pop-up roof model. For Rs 4,000 more, you can get a sliding model. The electric slide back version is pegged at Rs 22,000 and then begin the frills. For Rs 29,000 you get an all electronic roof, auto-close features, a spoiler and an anti-pilferage product. At 50,000, you can actually convert your car into a convertible with a fabric roof. And then the sky is the limit. Webasto sunroofs are available at leading multi-brand accessory outlets.