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Thoughts on Glass Roof?

DocTwinkie

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I’ll pass on glass. If I want to see the sky I want wind so a traditional sunroof or removable roof is my preferred. I either want open air or sun blocked.
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EyeOnRivian

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In a FB group, a guy said Rivian told him @ NYIAS that there would be 3 different roof options:

1) Electrochromatic glass with 20 shade/color options.
2) Fixed roof
3) Some sort of removable roof
FWIW, there's a YT video from the Overland West Expo (previously featured on this forum) where a Rivian rep was answering questions and giving mini presentations about the R1T. He mentions #1 and #3 but nothing about #2 - Fixed roof. The following YT link is queued to play around 10:35 when he mentions the roof.


Regarding the OP, I have had three vehicles with a retractable sun roof and accompanying sun shade. Really enjoy the ability to let in additional light and air circulation, but this option was only acceptable if I could block the sun from beating on me on those hot days. The retractable sun shade not only provided that but it also, as @Alan Burns mentioned, acted as an insulator from additional heat and cold in the cabin. Moreover, the shade helps in sound dampening. Now, I've never ridden in a vehicle with a electrochromatic glass roof or for that matter any completely glassed roof. I personally would need to find more about these options to decide which option to do with. Better yet would be to experience them in either Rivian EAV hopefully at one of their future Test Drive Program events wherever and whenever that occurs. Honestly, don't think I could decide without it as this is a part of the vehicle you will be living with / experiencing every time you step inside the vehicle.
 

Jazzyjeff139

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In a FB group, a guy said Rivian told him @ NYIAS that there would be 3 different roof options:

1) Electrochromatic glass with 20 shade/color options.
2) Fixed roof
3) Some sort of removable roof
Yup that was me and that’s exactly what I was told !!
 

jimcgov3

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Yup that was me and that’s exactly what I was told !!
I got the chance to talk to Connor O'Brien and Jeff Hammoud, both in Design Saturday. They said they are still working on a removable option but short of making two many sacrifices, they may scrap it. A fixed glass roof adds a ton of torsional rigidity similar to a metal roof minus the added weight of glass, whereas completely removing whole sections of roof then adding in structural supports... Means added weight and less performance...
 
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skyote

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Any mention of a sunshade for the glass roof, or thoughts on whether the electrochromatic functions will be enough? I'd still like to see something that could insulate or block potential radiant heat.
 

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A fixed glass roof adds a ton of torsional rigidity similar to a metal roof . . . .
My brother reads a lot more about cars than I do, and he says that so many brands are going to glass roofs because of this plus the ease of access to the interior by robots, as a glass roof goes on almost at the end of assembly. He also tells me that Tesla, in particular, uses glass roofs to augment torsional rigidity, as Tesla's are not noted for their rigidity. With early Model X's, though, the glass was absorbing so much torsional flexion that some of the windshields were cracking. (I don't know now they resolved the issue, but I read that they did.)

I have a 2015 Model S with a metal roof, and I have never had cowl shake or any sense of low torsional rigidity. In fact, the car feels rock solid. I once looked up the numbers and was surprised to find that many other four-door sedans had higher rigidity than Tesla. I had owned a couple of those brands and never thought the Tesla had more flexion . . . until I test drove a Model X, that is. I took it over a railroad crossing at low speed and could hear the car frame creak.

Rivian is going to be a body-on-frame vehicle instead of the more common unibody construction. I wonder how that is going to affect the sense of solidity and whether they're going to have to use firmer suspension settings than they otherwise would because of body flexion.
 

cllc

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My brother reads a lot more about cars than I do, and he says that so many brands are going to glass roofs because of this plus the ease of access to the interior by robots, as a glass roof goes on almost at the end of assembly. He also tells me that Tesla, in particular, uses glass roofs to augment torsional rigidity, as Tesla's are not noted for their rigidity. With early Model X's, though, the glass was absorbing so much torsional flexion that some of the windshields were cracking. (I don't know now they resolved the issue, but I read that they did.)

I have a 2015 Model S with a metal roof, and I have never had cowl shake or any sense of low torsional rigidity. In fact, the car feels rock solid. I once looked up the numbers and was surprised to find that many other four-door sedans had higher rigidity than Tesla. I had owned a couple of those brands and never thought the Tesla had more flexion . . . until I test drove a Model X, that is. I took it over a railroad crossing at low speed and could hear the car frame creak.

Rivian is going to be a body-on-frame vehicle instead of the more common unibody construction. I wonder how that is going to affect the sense of solidity and whether they're going to have to use firmer suspension settings than they otherwise would because of body flexion.
The model x with the gull wing doors' I can see why it would creak and also why the glass roof could easily crack.I have the Model 3 and my comments about my thoughts on glass roofs is in posted above. Teslas are more of a road car than any thing else including the model X. If you plan on going off roading with this Rivian I would not recommend a glass roof. Staying on the road then yes.
 
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skyote

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I'm willing to bet the Rivian frame is rigid, and that flexion will not be a problem.

My 3 yr old just told me how much he likes the sunroof in my truck, so it might be glass for me. ;-)
 

Jazzyjeff139

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I got the chance to talk to Connor O'Brien and Jeff Hammoud, both in Design Saturday. They said they are still working on a removable option but short of making two many sacrifices, they may scrap it. A fixed glass roof adds a ton of torsional rigidity similar to a metal roof minus the added weight of glass, whereas completely removing whole sections of roof then adding in structural supports... Means added weight and less performance...
Great information Jim. Thank you!
 

Jazzyjeff139

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Any mention of a sunshade for the glass roof, or thoughts on whether the electrochromatic functions will be enough? I'd still like to see something that could insulate or block potential radiant heat.
And block cold. I know on my Tundra I pull the shade across and it’s a huge insulator!!
 

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fastwheels

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I've had many sunroof/moonroofs and even a couple of removeable roof panels and T tops (going way back for that). I rarely ever open/removed them. Just an extra opportunity for extra cost/weight/squeaks/heat, etc. Make my R1T roof fixed steel please!
 

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I've had many sunroof/moonroofs and even a couple of removeable roof panels and T tops (going way back for that). I rarely ever open/removed them. Just an extra opportunity for extra cost/weight/squeaks/heat, etc. Make my R1T roof fixed steel please!
Yes fastwheels I'm with you 100%.
 

EyeOnRivian

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A little more of an official response from Rivian on Twitter albeit still lacking detail.

 

jimcgov3

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A little more of an official response from Rivian on Twitter albeit still lacking detail.

They mention that in their "NEW" FAQ in their website. If you haven't checked it out yet, I would take a look... There are a couple new details.
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