Sky hardtop by EDAG coming soon!!!

[Matt]

Hi folks! My name is Matt Remenar and I am the program manager for the Solstice hardtop at EDAG. We are pleased to announce release of the EDAG Sportwagon hardtop at the SEMA show next week. We have shown our original show car at the 2006 NAIAS (Detroit auto show) and the 2006 Geneva Auto show in Switzerland. The vehicle at the SEMA show will be much closer to production intent as far as the design of the inner structure is concerned. I have attached a pdf of our brochure that contains more info about the hardtop.

I'll cover some of the general details below.

The hardtop is engineered and designed to an automotive OEM level.

The outer shell and inner structure are constructed using a process named RTM (Resin Transfer Molding). The end result is a fiberglass mat reinforced resin part that is molded with a dark grey sandable primer gel coat. Since this is an injection molding process, the surface quality on both sides of the part is very good, especially compared to a traditional open mold fiberglass layup. The resulting part is very strong and dimensionally stable.

The glass is OEM automotive quality real glass.

The headliner is constructed using OEM quality automotive materials.

We use automotive grade (coated for rust resistance) fasteners and bonded in steel reinforcements at all attaching points.

The hardtop should weigh approx. 115 lbs ( the decklid as removed weighs about 42 lbs)

The production deck lid is removed and the soft top can be stowed in the vehicle or removed completely. By removing the soft top completely, the storage is greatly increased, but the removal is a bit technically challenging and probably best left to a professional. The old jokes that getting it out isn't too tough, but the correct installation is the fun part.

We will start production in January 2007.

The price is $2499 plus taxes and shipping from Detroit, Michigan.

We will soon be taking orders at www.edag-us.com At this time, people will be able to fill out a form with their contact info so that we may provide more info as the start of production nears.

I am sure that there will be a number of detail items that are not completely covered above or in the attached pdf. Please feel free to reply to this thread with any questions and I will reply as quickly as I can.

A quick word about EDAG. We are a global transportation engineering company with offices in over 15 countries around the world. We specialize in provide engineering services to primarily the automotive and aerospace industries, but are active in all facets of transportation engineering.

This is an early annoucement for the members and visitors to the Solstice and SkyRoadster forums. When visiting www.edag-us.com (the website for our US office) it currently links to the site of our parent company in Germany (www.edag.com). Our US specific website featuring the Solstice hardtop and soon to come Sky hardtop should be up and running on October 31st.

If you are attending SEMA, please feel free to stop by booth 51267 (near Overhaulin') and say hi and take a closer look at our Solstice.

Thanks!
Matt
EDAG

[YedraSky]

I am impressed! Now just lose the hatch back part and I would love it. Looks very nice I hope to see one in person soon!

[Pitcom]

Thanks for supporting the forum and giving us a preview of your product.

[Matt]

Pitcom,
You are very welcome! As we get further into the development of the Sky hardtop, I'll share what I can.

Cheers!
Matt

[SKY Spy]

I do like the lines of the SKY's hardtop a lot better!!!

Keep us informed!!!

Regards,

BA...

[Rustyknight]

Welcome, it looks like I'll have to start saving my pennies.........

Only 249,899 left to go until I can a buy a sweet looking hardtop

[cerberus]

With so many new members (welcome all!!!) it's probably a good time to remind everyone of how we handle product announcments from supporting vendors. Not every new product will strike the fancy of everyone here, but when a vendor announces new offerings in the this "Supporting Vendor Announcements" section, we ask that folks respect our paying supporters by not throwing cold water on the announcement itself. If folks feel strongly enough about a new offering that they must post disparaging remarks, we ask that that these comments stay in the general discussion areas. Some new products you'll like, some you won't. Either way, more aftermarket support for our niche cars is a good thing all around. Thanks to all for your cooperation and understanding here.

[JandR]

Hi Matt,

As a Sportwagon Hardtop (vs a Coupe Hardtop as some folks may have envisioned) the Solstice design is pretty slick. The Wagon/Hatchback design may not be everybody's cup of tea, but kudos for the work done.

Thanks for posting the pdf file. I looked over Page 1, but I like the SKY design on Page 2 even more (I better, since I'm driving a SKY, eh?). I like the treatment the side windows get, and the spoiler-like ridge at the top rear.

Either way, a Kappa owner might actually visit Home Depot or Lowes now, BUY something, and get it home! Well, something small, it's still riding in a Kappa.

How tough really is the installation/removal process? You allude to a do-it-yourself capability, with an er-maybe-professional caveat. I'm the kind of guy who starts a do-it-yourself project and then all-thumbs his way into trouble.

Keep those aftermarket products coming!

JandR

[Dj Mikey Swift]

Originally Posted by cerberus

With so many new members (welcome all!!!) it's probably a good time to remind everyone of how we handle product announcments from supporting vendors. Not every new product will strike the fancy of everyone here, but when a vendor announces new offerings in the this "Supporting Vendor Announcements" section, we ask that folks respect our paying supporters by not throwing cold water on the announcement itself. If folks feel strongly enough about a new offering that they must post disparaging remarks, we ask that that these comments stay in the general discussion areas. Some new products you'll like, some you won't. Either way, more aftermarket support for our niche cars is a good thing all around. Thanks to all for your cooperation and understanding here.

If all you keep are the rosey comments, how are the vendors ever supposed to better their products without true opinions.... if there are some who don't like it, that should be ok. No one was disrespectful in what they said, including myself. If they don't get good feedback then they go back to drawing board and make the product better, by cutting the truth about how people really may feel, you are holding this company back from its true goal and possibly doing more harm than good.

[Maverick]

Originally Posted by Dj Mikey Swift

If all you keep are the rosey comments, how are the vendors ever supposed to better their products without true opinions.... if there are some who don't like it, that should be ok. No one was disrespectful in what they said, including myself. If they don't get good feedback then they go back to drawing board and make the product better, by cutting the truth about how people really may feel, you are holding this company back from its true goal and possibly doing more harm than good.

All the Mods are asking is not to post negative comments in the vendors thread. If you want to state your views start another thread.

[SKY Spy]

Originally Posted by Maverick

All the Mods are asking is not to post negative comments in the vendors thread. If you want to state your views start another thread.

Thanks Maverick. That's the point!!!

Regards,

BA...

[Ernest]

I put my comments on the other thread. Yes I did it right this time!!! Good luck with your endeavor


ERNEST: Trying hard to follow the rules!!!

[SKYtime]

If ya' ain't got anything nice to say...don't say anything. Your mother was right.

I wonder why these threads are not simply locked to posting by members other than the supporting vendors..... Seems kind of odd to allow certain comments, but not others.

I got nothing else to say here....

[Rustyknight]

Matt

A few points of interest:

Do you have any additional photos, maybe you could post in your gallery

Photos or drawings of interior, maybe a virtual 3d model that person could rotate, when you fire up the web site.

Was any wind tunnel testing done, what was the result vs a stock Sky with top up and top down.

Will the new top be racing compatable (SCCA)?

[SKY Spy]

Originally Posted by SKYtime

If ya' ain't got anything nice to say...don't say anything. Your mother was right.

I wonder why these threads are not simply locked to posting by members other than the supporting vendors..... Seems kind of odd to allow certain comments, but not others.

I got nothing else to say here....

Constructive criticism is welcomed. How else would the Vendor decide what kind of interest he/she has on their product.

Comments like "I hate how this looks" or "I would rather be pecked to death by a duck than have this on my car" are not constructive, are mere opinions and do not help the Vendor "improve" their design in any way...

Regards,

BA...

[Matt]

Originally Posted by JandR

Hi Matt,

As a Sportwagon Hardtop (vs a Coupe Hardtop as some folks may have envisioned) the Solstice design is pretty slick. The Wagon/Hatchback design may not be everybody's cup of tea, but kudos for the work done.

Thanks for posting the pdf file. I looked over Page 1, but I like the SKY design on Page 2 even more (I better, since I'm driving a SKY, eh?). I like the treatment the side windows get, and the spoiler-like ridge at the top rear.

Either way, a Kappa owner might actually visit Home Depot or Lowes now, BUY something, and get it home! Well, something small, it's still riding in a Kappa.

How tough really is the installation/removal process? You allude to a do-it-yourself capability, with an er-maybe-professional caveat. I'm the kind of guy who starts a do-it-yourself project and then all-thumbs his way into trouble.

Keep those aftermarket products coming!

JandR

JandR,
The installation and removal process is easily accomplished with basic hand tools and two people. The second person is necessary to mount the hinge hold down bracket and load the roof onto the car. I have not figured out a way for one person to mount it without using a hoist. We have started discussions here about designing a simple hoist and are working through the development.

The professional help would be recommended if a person was interested in removing the soft top all together (not necessary with our design) as convertable tops can be tricky animals.

Cheers,
Matt

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rustyknight

Matt

A few points of interest:

Do you have any additional photos, maybe you could post in your gallery

Photos or drawings of interior, maybe a virtual 3d model that person could rotate, when you fire up the web site.

Was any wind tunnel testing done, what was the result vs a stock Sky with top up and top down.

Will the new top be racing compatable (SCCA)?

Hi Rusty,
I will take some pictures of the interior while at SEMA and with some luck be able to post them next week. The headliner pretty much follows the height of the inside of the quarter glass around the roof.

Our hadtop specific website will be up and running by the middle of next week. I'll talk to the guys about the virtual 3D model and see what happens.

As far as wind tunnel testing is concerned, we haven't planned that level of testing into our budget. We are working hard to keep the cost to the customer as low as possible. As we have not done any of that testing, the aero guys that have seen the roof didn't express any concerns about untoward behavior based upon the shape.

We have not been in contact with the SCCA yet about the actual requirements for racing. There are a few factors that come into play. When the deck lid is removed (approx. 42 lbs) and the hardtop is added (approx 115 lbs) that equates to a weight increase of about 73 lbs. I think that the current GM racing hardtop (carbon fiber shell, no seals, no headliner, drill holes into the header for attachments) has the edge in the racing community, while we may offer a more practical everyday solution for the street.

Thanks for the questions and the interest. More pictures to follow!

Cheers,
Matt

[YedraSky]

Hopefully, my comment was not seen as moving to negative. What I was trying to say is I like the design but hope they would make a straight hard top, without the hatch back part as well.

[HotRedRoadster]

The skys top looks sweet!! I will check it out in person at sema. See you guys there!

Marco