Cadillac calls it "UltraView," Mercedes calls it "Magic Sky" and others just call it a "big glass roof." Whatever the name, panoramic sunroofs seem to be all the rage, and many automakers are taking notice, says The New York Times.
This relatively new feature is now being offered as an add-on on many different vehicles. Essentially, it just transforms the roof of a vehicle into a giant window. Rather than being made out of the traditional material, the roof is made out of glass, allowing passengers to see a clear view of the sky.
The new feature was made possible by important technological advancements. For example, the roof is made out of a material that filters out UV light, keeping harmful rays out of the vehicle. It also reduces the work that the cooling system has to do, as it doesn't let in as much sunlight, while still preserving the view.
There were also vehicle safety issues that prevented this feature from being available sooner. However, Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety told the news source that these roofs are just as strong as models with traditional roofs, even if they appear to be a liability in crashes.