Quick change of top made easy

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The first hints that Hyundai was developing a soft-top variant of its coupe came about a year ago from Germany.

The Korean carmaker's research centre in Frankfurt was reported to be working on a special project with renowned convertible coachbuilder Karmann.

That project was indeed an Hyundai open-top and it will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show on Tuesday.

It is based on the coupe and called the Hyundai CCS, for Coupe Cabriolet Study.

Its main feature is its three-phase slide-and-fold roof. It goes from being a full-length glass roof, to an open roof, to a full convertible, at the touch of a button.

Hyundai reckons solar panels could easily be worked into the structure of the CCS roof design.

It says the three-phase design is an advance over previous convertible systems as it requires fewer pivot points.

The hydraulic and electrical components for the roof add 140kg to the weight of the regular coupe.

The CCS features 18-inch wheels with Michelin 225/40x18 tyres, as well as new front and rear light clusters.

The interior has also received special treatment, with eight-way adjustable leather Recaro seats, and a sound system using Becker hardware with Infinity speakers.

The CCS allows 443 litres of boot space with the roof up and 244 litres with it folded away.

It uses the V6 engine and six-speed gearbox from the coupe. Hyundai says the CCS is likely to go into production, if public response is favourable.