A new patent from BMW, Rolls-Royce’s parent company, could give future convertibles a new level of interior customization by making the headliner a separate, removable component rather than a permanent part of the soft top.
A New Approach to Convertible Headliners
Convertible roofs are not always the most visually refined part of a car’s interior. Even luxury models can expose portions of the roof mechanism, while the fabric and its construction can leave the underside looking less polished than the rest of the cabin.
The inside and outside of a convertible top use a complex arrangement of fabric cuts that helps keep rain out while also securing the roof frame. Because those elements are permanently attached, the manufacturing process can be complicated and expensive.
BMW’s patent describes a different approach: making the interior headliner a separate piece. It could be installed at the factory, but the design would also allow it to be installed later at home or at a dealership, including on a used car.
The system could use relatively simple fasteners, including zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro, and buttons or clips. Those connections would allow the owner to remove or replace the headliner with relative ease.
The patent also envisions an elastic fabric for the headliner. The material could stretch as the roof closes, helping prevent the customized liner from becoming wrinkled or bunched.
More Materials, Colors and Custom Designs
Making the headliner a separate component could open the door to more customization. According to the patent, buyers could choose from different materials and colors, while additional layers could also be added to improve sound insulation from the outside world.
That approach would move buyers beyond the limited selection of materials offered by a roof factory. It could also create a simpler path to adding Rolls-Royce’s signature starlight headliner to a convertible.
Adding thousands of fiber-optic filaments is a complicated process, but installing them into a separate liner could make the process easier because the finished component could potentially be added later.
Could Convertible Owners Swap Headliners?
The concept could extend beyond factory options. A local upholstery shop could potentially make a replacement headliner if it had an original piece to use as a pattern.
Owners could also theoretically change the interior roof design according to the season or their preferences, including creating designs to support a favorite football team in winter or a baseball team in summer.
Why the Patent Could Matter Beyond Rolls-Royce
The idea could have applications beyond Rolls-Royce, particularly for BMW and Mini. Rolls-Royce buyers are already willing to spend half a million dollars or more, making additional customization costs less significant in comparison.
For a more price-conscious, style-focused Mini Cooper convertible or BMW 4 Series, however, a removable and customizable headliner could offer a different kind of opportunity.
BMW’s patent outlines a relatively simple way to make convertible interiors easier to customize, potentially allowing owners to change materials, colors, insulation and other design elements without replacing the entire convertible top.
