March 8, 2006 French automotive industry manufacturer Heuliez is showing a unique concept vehicle on its stand at the Geneva International Motor. The Macarena Concept Car has a glass roof with a difference. The three glass panels automatically fold and compactly store themselves away into the trunk in order to offer plenty of luggage space. The Macarena name came from the likeness to the way the two roof arches fold like the arms of the dancers in the famous Macarena dance. The roof can have a substantial span and is hence particularly suitable for turning larger four door cars with four comfortable seats into an elegant and sporty coupe-cabriolet. Though the Macarena is based on the Peugeot 407, Heuliez is hoping to license the system to auto manufacturers around the world.

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By simply pressing a button, the glass panels slide back together, before the panels and the rear window disappear into the trunk. The side members then gracefully fold into the trunk so that the complete roof is compactly stored away. But that’s not all: the three glass panels can also be used as a sliding sun roof by opening one or several glass panels independently.

Heuliez believes the Macarena electro-hydraulic roof will revolutionize the cabriolet market, mainly because it offers such a capacious storage area and transforms a coupe to a convertible in less than 20 seconds. In the coupé position the trunk volume is 440 litres and in convertible position the trunk volume is 250 litres.