To keep the whole open/close procedure firmly under the driver's control, the activating button has to be pushed continuously until either operation is fully executed. This enables the operator to interrupt the procedure if necessary.

For increased safety and durability, the hardtop can only be operated when the vehicle is standing still, while ignition is switched on. This system works with or without the engine running, and features an electronic interlock.

The compactness of the roof provides segment-best luggage space of 248 litres in open-top mode. There is more than enough space for weekend luggage, and the loading space opening under the folded roof has a height of 26cm, a fact that makes stowing hard cases and luggage items relatively easy.

Closing the bootlid is made easier as an electric motor gently and safely pulls it shut until it latches. With this comfort feature, there is no need to slam the bootlid.

In order to ensure a tight seal and easy operation when opening the doors while the hardtop is up, the front windows automatically move down by approximately one centimetre and then up again after closing.

"Meeting all of our objectives like stability, durability, functionality, and the design for an electro-hydraulic Coupe-Cabriolet hardtop was quite a challenge. But together with our colleagues from Pininfarina and roof-specialist Webasto, we believe we have found the right balance," says Love.



BODY CONSTRUCTION

"The challenge was to create a body structure with a high torsional rigidity as a basis for exceptional driving quality and low NVH levels. It is also necessary for supporting the retractable hardtop's functionality. Above all, the goal was to retain as much of the original Focus Vignale Concept design as possible."
Andreas Stichweh, Manager Body Engineering Ford Focus Range

The Focus Vignale Concept was a valuable exercise for Ford's body engineers as it helped determine fundamental parameters, which in turn formed the base structure of new production model. The combined cornerstones - a four-seater Coupe-Cabriolet with a fully retractable hardtop, generous cabin and luggage space dimensions for everyday practicality, and renowned Ford driving quality meant that an existing Focus underbody structure had to be used, and that of the four-door sedan was the ideal choice.

In developing the body structure, torsional rigidity was a key factor. This forms the basic parameter for the highly acclaimed driving character of Ford vehicle like the Focus, and an attribute that is now represented to customers as Ford PrecisionDrive. Torsional rigidity also makes a major contribution to vehicle NVH behaviour (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness). In a conventional sedan roof structure, the roof acts as a stabiliser, so removing it and retaining this rigid body structure is no easy task: Removing the roof from a sedan body can reduce torsional rigidity to just ten percent of the original figure.

Using the Focus four-door sedan underbody and its front section body structure was a great help to Ford's body engineers because these parts also contribute to high torsional rigidity.

Most of the new body parts specially developed for the all new Coupe-Cabriolet consist of high strength steel to HSS1 and HSS 2 levels of quality. This also applies the rockers, which are 35mm higher than on the Focus sedan. They connect with additional transverse reinforcements placed under the bottom of the rear seat and, together with HSS 2 panel reinforcements and the rear bulkhead, form an incredibly strong structure giving high torsional rigidity and a solid cabin construction.

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