Gojirra99

The Macarena is remarkable not only for its glass roof, but also for being a four-door convertible, a rarity in the auto business.


French Twist
Dan Lienert, 03.28.06, 12:30 AM ET


Just when you thought the Macarena had been relegated to minor-league baseball stadiums and VH1’s I Love The 90s, the French have brought it back.

But don’t worry: the dance song you couldn’t get out of your head in 1996 is not returning. Just the name of the tune, “Macarena,” has resurfaced--on a car, of all places. At the recent Geneva Motor Show, Heuliez showed its Macarena prototype, an unusual pairing of a convertible roof with the body of a four-door sedan.

In Pictures: Heuliez's Macarena
Heuliez is a French design firm that employs 300 and builds prototypes for auto shows, specializing in convertible technology. The Macarena, its latest concept car, is a treatment of Peugeot's (other-otc: PEUGY - news - people ) 407 sedan, which is not available in the United States.

The roof of the handsome Macarena uses three glass panels, which fold into the trunk. The car is so named because two of its roof arches fold like a Macarena dancer’s arms. Press a button and the glass panels slide together, before they disappear, along with the rear window, into the trunk.

Drivers of the prototype can also use the three glass panels as a sunroof by opening one or several panels independently.

Heuliez said in a recent statement that the interior cross bar guarantees the body stiffness and stability necessary to fulfill the highest safety regulations. The cross member also allows for frontal airbags for the rear passengers and optional accessories such as video screens.

Click here for a tour of the Macarena.
Forbes Fact
Heuliez says the Macarena has one of the most compact folded convertible roofs on the market--a unit which allows for a trunk volume of 11 cubic feet.

source : Forbes

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

To tell you the truth, I've been wanting a four door convertible for a long time. This looks pretty good. Not great, but good.

Lil4X

The French have some incredible natural attraction to electro-hydraulics. Unfortunately, their hydraulic systems are about as reliable as a glass hammer. Who cares if it falls apart within three blocks of the dealership? Think of thumbing your nose at all those imbéciles on the street!

bruce van

The car is a called the "Macarena". NO WAY IN HELL any self respecting car fanatic would consider doing the Macarena.

I'll pass.

spwolf

problem with hard tops in Europe, based on normal econo class cars, is that they all look the same 3/4 to the back. There are probably 10 hard tops on sale right now.

I would rather buy something that is more unique...

SoCalSC4

The French should stick with making pastries. Or surrendering.

Cars were never their forte.

Neat concept, but strange-looking execution. Too much front overhang & not well-proportioned.

XeroK00L

This car has plenty of potential , but as SoCalSC4 says, the front overhang just kills it.

spwolf

its 407, front is best part of its design... you just dont see it properly...