I saw visibility pack at Paris motor show

[Hanzenegger]

On the Paris motor show there was a car equipped with the visibility pack (heated windcreen, electrochromatic inside mirror and rain sensor). Had a good look at it, because I am thinking of getting it.

The windscreen does have wires, and the people who built the mini stand were nice enough to point a spotlight onto this minis windscreen (probably not on purpose), so the effects of bright sunlight were visible. It looks a bit like a lauer of dust on the windshield with small reflections. It is apparent when focussing on the windscreen, but not when focussing ahead (as one should when driving, I suppose). However I am not sure that it will not disturb, it may make you focus more often on the windscreen itself (as with a dirty windscreen)...

The rain sensor on the other hand does not disturb at all. It sits in a small box just behind the rear view mirror.

Sorry, I did not have a camera, so I could not make any pics.

Just realised I totally forgot to check out the electrochromatic mirror... so I can tell you nothing about that one.

[daver]

Hi Hanzenegger, nice to see another belgian on the forum. hope you get your car soon. From where in Belgium are you excactly? I'm from teh region around Hasselt, Limburg.

BTW there is a mini-meet in brussels on 20/10, if you care to join us (even if you don't have a MINI yet) you're more then welcome.

Check out http://users.skynet.be/cmw/minimeeting.htm

take care

[ezrally]

Dang nab it! You Europeans will get once again something USA can't have w the heated screen I wanted SO bad.
MINIUSA said no no cause our radar detectors & EZpass won't work- much more important to get thru toll booths fast than being able to see in the winter! Of course Americans are known for driving w snow covering their windows except for a hole to see out of!
End of rant....

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanzenegger
...The windscreen does have wires, and the people who built the mini stand were nice enough to point a spotlight onto this minis windscreen (probably not on purpose), so the effects of bright sunlight were visible. It looks a bit like a lauer of dust on the windshield with small reflections. It is apparent when focussing on the windscreen, but not when focussing ahead (as one should when driving, I suppose). However I am not sure that it will not disturb, it may make you focus more often on the windscreen itself (as with a dirty windscreen)...
...

Did you notice if there was a small 'window' in the windscreen glass where no wires were present? I understand some cars, such as the current Peugeot 607, have a small section with no embedded wires so radar detectors can sit on the dash and 'look' through the 'window' without interference from the wire grid.

Did MINI do this?

[Hanzenegger]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK


Did you notice if there was a small 'window' in the windscreen glass where no wires were present? I understand some cars, such as the current Peugeot 607, have a small section with no embedded wires so radar detectors can sit on the dash and 'look' through the 'window' without interference from the wire grid.

Did MINI do this?

Sorry BruceK, I did not notice any such windows, but I wasn't looking for any, so I can't say for sure...