I looked at the car parked next to me the other day and was drawn to the strange windshield shape. It does not have a straight edge on top as it expands into the roof at each corner. I thought that was a bad decision by the designers as that is where the sun can shine sometimes. I found a photo online taken while the glass being was being replaced and as you can see it is purely a styling exercise. The windshield opening itself is conventional, it is only the glass that has the strange shape:
If I had to guess, I’d say it has that shape either to provide improved structural support during a wreck (ie, perform better on crash tests), or to improve the performance of automated assembly techniques (perhaps having a robot installing, or assisting with the installation, of the windshields at the factory).
Or, perhaps not. I don’t see how it would allow more of the sun to shine in since the opening itself is conventional.
My cousin’s wife had one of those Toyota minivans that looks like a bubble–the Previa. The windshield was massive and extremely curved. She had it replaced because of breakage three times in just a few years’ time.
Some design concepts don’t perform well in real life situations.
I’m sure it’s just for looks, like fake hood scoops, rear ‘vents’ that don’t do anything or carbon fiber patterns over steel body parts.
Now, the fake hood pins that you can stick on, those add at least 5 or 10 horses.
And, FWIW, you always have to keep in mind the owner of the car had nothing to do with it. I know I’m not the only Civic owner that would prefer not to have the odd fake vents on the rear bumper.
