At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, Magna Steyr has presented MILA Future, an automotive sculpture used to showcase a fully functional roof system that offers four different roof configurations on one vehicle.

The system can be adapted to all two-seater coupés or roadsters. Its neutral styling makes it suitable for many different vehicles.

The Concept

"If a roadster has a retractable hard top (RHT), its back does not usually lend itself to classic coupé lines.

When the roof is closed, the trunk volume is generally satisfactory, but when open the storage space may be reduced by up to half.

"Many of the retractable tops common today require a rear deck cover that opens in the opposite direction to travel to accommodate the roof – making additional motors necessary."

Four roof configurations:

• Coupé

A characteristic of classic coupés is the flowing silhouette towards the rear.

It gives the vehicle an elegant, dynamic appearance that the target group on the market regards as its distinctive feature.

Benefits include fully utilizable trunk volume and protection against wind and weather for the passengers.

• Landaulet

Landaulets were horse-drawn carriages that had double soft folding tops for driving half open. Thanks to the special design of roof, deck lid and rear window, the Mila Future can be driven in a similarly romantic mode - the rear window is lowered completely, but the roof itself remains in place over the passengers protecting them against direct sunlight.

"On country roads you therefore feel in touch with your surroundings and if driving faster the airflow is reduced to a pleasant level."

• Roadster

The real roadster feeling is achieved when the roof is down and the rear window lowered.

Compared with conventional solutions, however, the remaining trunk space is 20% larger.

This additional volume is created by leaving the B and C pillars on the deck lid as styling elements, which means that the space is not required in the trunk area.

The result is a new original appearance and makes this type of vehicle unmistakable on the roads. At the same time, it provides adequate rollover protection – so the typical bars behind the seats are not required.

• Copster

A combination of coupé and roadster, this variant keeps the roof in the trunk with the rear window in the coupé position. It also serves as a permanent wind deflector and - compared with the targa layout - does not require manual mounting.

This configuration gives you a sense of safety in the interior without having to sacrifice the open-air feeling.

Technical features

The technology used is based on a two-part retractable top where one part consists as usual of the roof and the second of the deck lid. Integrated in it are the movable rear window and the rollover protection.

The complete unit is opened with a sturdy pivot hinge, which has the pivot points in the upper part of the B pillar attached to the body.

The hydraulic cylinders and all the suspension links are located inside the B pillar. All you have to do is press a button to open the deck lid in the direction of travel for configuring the vehicle as a roadster or for loading.

Only one mechanism is therefore required for both functions.

The roof is opened with a hydraulically operated pivot hinge and moves horizontally under the raised deck lid and into the trunk to save space.

After the deck lid is closed, the rear window and rigid B and C pillars remain outside, thus increasing the available trunk volume. Finally, an electric motor moves the rear window down to the lowest level – and the roadster position is reached.

The longitudinal anti-roll bar with its fixed side windows gives the roadster its inimitable look.

The rear window itself can be moved to any position required without the roof motor and can act as a wind deflector if necessary. When loading, a button on the vehicle exterior opens the deck lid hydraulically and the retracted roof can automatically be raised 45 degrees for more convenient luggage storage.

The backs of the two seats can both be folded forwards individually and the sliding doors moved into the rear wall. As a result, smaller items can also be stowed in the trunk.

(Source: Magna Steyr)