Ford Puts a Glass Lid on the Mustang

Ford has just shed some light on a brand new option package for next year's

Mustang Coupe. The pony car will receive a new glass roof that replaces what would otherwise be a full-length steel section, citing the demands of customers who want to brighten up their interiors with more natural light, as well as those who wanted their cars with a sunroof. Up until now, the only way this could be accommodated was to opt for the convertible.

The glass roof that the Mustang receives is more than just a regular sheet of window glass, but rather it's made up of special safety glass that provides extra protection from impact compared to normal glass. Should the Mustang roll over, the glass won't break with sharp or jagged edges. It's also privacy tinted, which helps the interior stay cooler under direct sunlight than regular clear glass would. Of course, just like any large sunroof of this sort, the Mustang also features a manually-operated retractable roller blind, for when less light is desired.

To preserve plastics and leather from discoloration and premature aging, the glass is UV tinted. A thin layer of vinyl also helps keep wind and noise levels down.

While the glass roof option adds a lot of natural light to the interior, it shouldn't be confused with a sunroof or a targa roof as it doesn't tilt up or slide back. On the outside, cars with the glass roof have gloss black painted trim, which gives the car's roof a more seamless appearance, and not just one of a car with a large sunroof.

Besides the obvious aspect of price, there are many reasons why consumers might prefer this option to a convertible. There is no loss of

structural rigidity with this roof, plus there's no loss of headroom or practicality, as the Mustang maintains its full trunk space. Also, unlike the cloth top of the convertible, the glass and metal roof provides better security. Ford states that they've gone to a lot of effort to make sure the glass roof doesn't succumb to leaks, squeaks or rattles.

Ford will be building the Mustang with the glass roof option alongside all other Mustangs in Michigan, though the option will be installed off the line at the Vehicle Personalization plant. This new option is available on all regular Mustangs, V6 and V8 included. Ford has priced the glass roof as a standalone option at $1,995, and the first cars to feature it should be on our roads later this summer.

Considering that one in two sports cars sold in the United States is a Ford Mustang, chances are good that it won't be long before they're everywhere.