Engineers and designers at Adam Opel and Johnson Controls have jointly developed a headliner that features LED elements that twinkle, similar to stars. This feature, available as optional equipment, is unique for the entry-level auto segment in Europe.
64 LEDs in the Opel Adam create an artificial “starlight sky”. (photo: JCI)
The small city car segment Opel Adam is available with a new kind of headliner in which LED elements twinkle like fixed stars. (photo: Opel)
The Opel Adam is aimed at the lifestyle-oriented small “A” segment and includes a wide range of options for individualisation. An insert integrated into the headliner allows five different textile cover options, with the variety of headliner designs ranging from single coloured, autumn foliage through a chequered flag to stylised clouds in a blue sky. The version with clouds is called “Sky” and, at the customer’s request, 64 LEDs can create illusion of a starry night when seated in the vehicle. This feature is also available for single-coloured versions. The varying size and brightness of the “stars” contribute to the perception of a night sky in the headliner. The dimmable lighting can be switched on when stopped as well as while on the road and will not cause glare for the driver. It is controlled from the overhead console.
Starry, starry night: Johnson Controls outdoes Vincent Van Gogh with its “starlight sky” option for the headliner on the new Opel Adam. (photo: JCI)
The design is very flat within the headliner (less than 1mm) and is only visible when switched on. No openings, bumps or recesses are visible, whether it is switched on or off. The entire component weighs 200g, including wiring, and power consumption is just 4W.
The dimmable lighting can be switched on when stopped as well as while on the go. (photo: JCI)
Johnson Controls manufactures the headliner for all variants in Überherrn, in Germany’s Saarland region, and delivers them to the Opel plant in Eisenach. Johnson Controls also supplies the car’s front headrests and the reinforced, laser-welded 50/50 split rear seat structure recliners with roll form profiles.
www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk
