A new unpublished and innovative research project at the degree in Vehicle Engineering at the University of Modena.

University of Modena, Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”

Last Thursday, July 13, at the Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari” of the University of Modena, took place the usual session of Degree in Vehicle Engineering. Among the various candidates present, Vincenzo Megna’s Degree thesis was highly relevant, based on the development of an innovative research project, due to the two correlates of the same: Prof. Fabrizio Ferrari and Ing. Antonio Cesaretti.

This is an innovative retractable pavilion system called “Active Hidden Roof”, based on the chassis and mechanics of the Ferrari 488. The research project is innovative to the point of deserving a patent research that has confirmed the The system is absolutely original, it is specifically dedicated to rear-center-driven cars and easily allows a double coupe and spider configuration to the car that adopts it.
The main novelty consists mainly of the original configuration of the rear engine hood, which can rotate to position horizontally on the engine compartment, in the configuration of the fully open spider car; While it automatically returns to its original position, similar to the current coupe version of Maranello’s berlinetta, once the cushion returns to its closed position. The same roof moves first through a rotating movement and then slides vertically into a special pocket that holds it in the passenger compartment, in the space between the seats and the flame.

The unprecedented mechanism allows a number of theoretical advantages found in relation to the majority of systems currently produced by various manufacturers, including:
1) minor weight
2) reduced complication
3) lower cost

All because of the less particular moving and careful study of the same moves.

It also provides a whole host of practical benefits, including:
A) Very good access to the engine compartment in both configurations
B) Optimum ventilation of the engine compartment itself
C) always in-sight engine (always dear to supercar customers)
D) the possibility of not modifying and / or altering the aerodynamic configuration and the aesthetic appearance of the car in closed configuration (coupe)
E) Roof in a single part that is always contained in the passenger compartment, even in fully open configuration (spider), thus avoiding any overheating problems.

Vincenzo Megna’s thesis, with Prof. Francesco Leali, was designed to set and pre-engineering the same mechanism in all its functional parts, generating, in addition to the necessary technical design drawings, also a First of all the necessary components, of which well over 40% are already available from a regular catalog of the various specialized suppliers, while the remaining 60% should of course be realized ad hoc for this project.