Athermic windows
ConfortAverage price
300€ - 1500€
Athermic windows, also known as solar control glazing, are an advanced technology designed to significantly improve thermal comfort inside a vehicle. Unlike standard windows, they integrate thin layers of metal oxides (usually silver or titanium) invisible to the naked eye, applied either to the surface of the glass or laminated between two sheets of glass (particularly for the windshield). The primary role of this treatment is to selectively filter solar radiation. Athermic windows block a large portion of infrared rays, which are responsible for the sensation of heat, while allowing visible light to pass through to ensure excellent visibility. They also filter more than 99% of ultraviolet (UV) rays, thus protecting occupants from sunburn and the interior (plastics, leathers, fabrics) from premature fading and aging. This technology helps maintain a more stable and pleasant interior temperature, especially in summer or in sunny regions, thereby reducing reliance on air conditioning and contributing to fuel or energy savings for electric vehicles. Increasingly common in the mid-range and premium segments, they are a key element of modern comfort.
Benefits
- ✓Significant reduction of heat in the cabin, improving passenger comfort.
- ✓Decreased use of air conditioning, leading to fuel or energy savings.
- ✓Effective protection against UV rays, preserving the vehicle's interior from fading.
- ✓Reduction of glare and visual fatigue for the driver.
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What is an heat-reflecting glass?
Heat-reflecting glass represents a major advancement in the field of automotive comfort. Designed to limit the impact of solar radiation on the cabin, it plays a crucial role in regulating interior temperature. A vehicle parked in direct sunlight can quickly turn into an oven, but thanks to this type of glazing, the temperature rise is significantly slowed down. The principle is based on the integration of metal oxide microparticles into the glass or into an interlayer film (for laminated windscreens). These particles are specifically chosen for their ability to reflect infrared rays (responsible for heat) and absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays, while ensuring optimal visible light transmission for safe driving.
How does this technology work?
The operation of heat-reflecting glass is a prime example of materials engineering. The most common technology involves depositing thin, transparent layers of noble metals, such as silver, onto the glass surface during manufacturing. These layers act as a selective filter:
- Infrared reflection: A large portion of the sun's infrared spectrum, which carries heat, is reflected outward. This prevents thermal energy from entering and heating the cabin.
- Ultraviolet absorption: The treatment blocks nearly 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays. This protection is twofold: it preserves the occupants' health and protects interior materials (dashboard, seats, trim) from degradation and discoloration.
- Visible light transmission: The treatment is optimized to let maximum visible light through, ensuring perfect clarity day or night without altering color perception.
This technology is often combined with acoustic glazing to offer a cocoon of tranquility and thermal comfort.
The concrete benefits of heat-reflecting glass
Opting for a vehicle equipped with heat-reflecting glass offers multiple advantages that go beyond simple comfort.
- Superior thermal comfort: This is the most direct benefit. In summer, the temperature difference between an equipped vehicle and an unequipped one can reach several degrees. The cabin remains cooler, making journeys more pleasant and reducing thermal shock when entering the car.
- Energy efficiency: By limiting heat build-up, heat-reflecting glass reduces the need to run the air conditioning at full blast. For a combustion engine, this translates into a slight fuel saving. For an electric vehicle, the impact on range is even more noticeable.
- Cabin protection: UV rays are the main culprits behind the premature aging of plastics and leathers. By filtering them out, heat-reflecting glass extends the lifespan and brand-new appearance of your car's interior.
- Safety and driving comfort: By reducing the amount of heat transmitted, particularly to the dashboard and steering wheel, driving comfort is improved. The reduction in solar glare also contributes to less visual fatigue.
Note: In automotive terminology, "vitres athermiques" are commonly referred to as heat-reflecting glass, athermic glass, or sun-reflecting windshields depending on the region.
Beware of electronic toll badges!
An important point to note regarding heat-reflecting windscreens is their interaction with electromagnetic waves. The metallic layers that block heat can also disrupt the signal of electronic toll badges or certain GPS units. To overcome this issue, manufacturers provide a specific area on the windscreen, usually delineated by a black dotted border around the rearview mirror. It is in this untreated area that you must imperatively position your toll badge to ensure it functions correctly at toll gates.
Heat-reflecting vs. Tinted glass: What is the difference?
It is common to confuse heat-reflecting glass with tinted glass. Although both aim to improve comfort, their technology and effect differ. Tinted glass is dyed throughout to reduce the amount of visible light entering, offering primarily privacy and glare reduction. It has a limited effect on heat. Heat-reflecting glass, on the other hand, can be almost perfectly transparent while effectively blocking heat (infrared rays). Often, high-end vehicles combine both: a clear heat-reflecting windscreen and side and rear windows that are both heat-reflecting and tinted for optimal comfort.
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Finitions équipées
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Associated equipment
Comfort Pack
The Comfort Pack is a set of equipment and features offered by car manufacturers, designed to significantly improve well-being, ergonomics, and life on board the vehicle for both the driver and passengers. Far from being a mere gimmick, it groups together options that transform the driving experience, particularly on long journeys and during daily use. The exact composition of a Comfort Pack varies considerably from one brand and model to another, but it generally includes key elements such as more ergonomic seats with extended adjustments (electric, lumbar, heated), a more sophisticated climate control system (dual-zone or tri-zone), better acoustic comfort thanks to specific glazing, and practical features like keyless entry and start. The main objective is to reduce fatigue, minimize driving-related stress, and create a more relaxing and premium interior atmosphere. By bundling these options, the manufacturer often offers a price advantage compared to selecting each piece of equipment individually, making comfort more accessible and enhancing the vehicle's value on the used car market.
Rear privacy glass
Rear privacy glass refers to the rear side windows and the rear windshield of a vehicle that have been treated to reduce their transparency. This treatment can be applied in two main ways: either directly at the factory during the glass manufacturing process (body-tinted glass), or through the aftermarket application of an adhesive window film. Unlike the front windows, French legislation is much more lenient regarding rear glazing, imposing no visible light transmission (VLT) limits. This feature allows owners to choose very dark tints to maximize comfort and safety benefits. Beyond the undeniable aesthetic appeal, which gives the vehicle a more prestigious or sporty look, rear privacy glass plays a crucial functional role. It filters a large portion of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared rays, thereby protecting passengers from the sun and reducing cabin heating. It also offers appreciated privacy for rear passengers and conceals items left on the rear bench seat or in the trunk, acting as a deterrent against theft.
Automatic air conditioning
Automatic air conditioning, also known as 'automatic temperature control' or 'auto climate control', is a sophisticated system that independently manages thermal comfort inside a vehicle. Unlike a manual system which requires constant adjustments from the driver, automatic air conditioning continuously maintains a selected setpoint temperature. To achieve this, it relies on a set of sensors: interior and exterior temperature sensors, a sunlight sensor to anticipate cabin heating, and often a humidity sensor to manage defrosting. An electronic control unit (ECU) centralizes this information in real time to control the entire system: it engages or disengages the compressor, adjusts blower speed, modulates the hot and cold air blend, and directs airflows via servomotors. The most advanced versions, known as dual-zone, tri-zone, or quad-zone, offer the ability to set distinct temperatures for different areas of the cabin (driver, front passenger, rear seats), thereby ensuring personalized comfort for each occupant. This system contributes not only to well-being but also to safety by ensuring optimal visibility thanks to its automatic defrosting function.
Heated windscreen
The heated windscreen is an automotive comfort and safety feature designed to quickly clear frost, ice and condensation from the front glass surface. Unlike forced-air ventilation, which takes several minutes to warm the cabin and affect the windscreen, this technology acts directly on the glass for an almost instantaneous result. There are two main systems: the first integrates a network of extremely fine metal filaments, almost invisible to the naked eye, within the thickness of the laminated glass. These filaments heat up via the Joule effect when an electric current passes through them. The second, more modern and high-end technology uses a transparent film based on metal oxides (often silver) deposited between the glass layers. This conductive film heats the entire surface evenly without the slight visual distortions that filaments can sometimes cause. Activated by a simple button on the dashboard, the heated windscreen significantly improves visibility in winter and humid weather, reducing waiting time before setting off and eliminating the chore of scraping, which can eventually scratch the glass.
Acoustic windshield
The acoustic windshield is an advanced automotive glazing technology designed to significantly improve cabin sound insulation. Unlike a standard windshield, it consists of multiple layers of laminated glass, with one or more sheets of Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) acoustic film inserted between them. This special film possesses superior sound-damping properties, allowing it to absorb and dissipate vibrations and sound waves, particularly in the high frequencies. The primary objective is to filter out unwanted exterior noise, such as high-speed wind buffeting, tire rolling noise, and engine or surrounding traffic sounds. By reducing the perceived decibel level inside the vehicle, the acoustic windshield helps create a quieter, more serene, and less tiring driving environment. This technology, once reserved for luxury vehicles, is becoming increasingly widespread in the higher segments of volume manufacturers, often combined with acoustic side glazing for optimal insulation.