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The frizz-free convertible

Detailer Kevin Brownlee cleans the glass roof of a Saturn Astra at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A growing number of new cars and sport utility vehicles are offering panoramic glass roofs as an option. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Detailer Kevin Brownlee cleans the glass roof of a Saturn Astra at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A growing number of new cars and sport utility vehicles are offering panoramic glass roofs as an option. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

DETROIT – For back-seat stargazers and those seeking the benefits of a convertible without the wind-blown hair, the auto industry is offering a new look.

A growing number of new cars and crossover vehicles are offering broad panoramic glass roofs composed of one or two large panels, opening up the cabin to the heavens and giving motorists the feel of more head room and natural light as they cruise down the highway.

Ford Motor Co. offers the feature on a number of 2008 vehicles, including the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers, and upcoming releases such as the Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan.

General Motors Corp. makes the feature available on the Cadillac SRX along with a power sunroof with companion skylight option on GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave. Toyota Motor Corp. showed it Monday on the 2009 Venza crossover-sedan while consumers can also find it on vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and S-Class.

“It’s a feeling of freedom,” said Peter Pfeiffer, senior vice president of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz Design.

A leading supplier of the glass roofs, Webasto Inc., estimates that the number of panoramic glass sunroofs could more than double to about 700,000 vehicles by 2012.

Andreas Weller, Webasto’s vice president of business development, estimated that the option costs about $1,200 to $2,000, providing “almost the benefits of the convertible without the drawbacks.”

Small sunroofs have long been a popular option for those seeking the open air, but with the advent of shatter-resistant glass and reinforcements on the roof, the industry has been able to broaden the sunroofs on car-based crossover vehicles and sedans.

“With cars becoming more highly styled and in some ways (having) smaller window-lines, cars are becoming a little claustrophobic in size. So these wide open sunroofs gives you an air of space,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center.