The laws of physics tell that less weight allows faster acceleration, cornering and braking and this is most prevalently demonstrated when researching the reduction of un-sprung and rotational weight.
The addition of reasonable safety devices, namely roll cages unfortunately add back the weight (and more some) that is lost temporarily during the entire stripping of a car’s interior even after fitting a light weight race seat(s). Additionally, lowering the centre of gravity in a track car is also an extremely important factor and this is why serious track day enthusiasts and stringently regulated race series request the use of polycarbonate windows namely to the sides and rear and in some cases the front.
Over the years Deutsch Nine have looked at this marketplace and wanted to offer a product that outperforms the competition in every way. Finally we are able to present our LEXAN® polycarbonate thermoplastic rear hatch window which fits all Porsche models 924, 944, 951/952 (944 Turbo), 944 S2 and 968. This upgrade includes the window screen which can be directly installed in all OEM rear hatch frames allowing best fitment, authentic looks and significantly lowered weight
Our precisely fitting rear hatch is manufactured of hardened, UV-resistant 4mm thickness LEXAN® coated polycarbonate thermoplastic tinted pale green to match with the factory standard glass and style of the genuine windows making it a desirable upgrade not only for the trackday enthusiast but also the performance minded sportscar enthusiast. The quality and fitment of this LEXAN® coated polycarbonate window is to the highest standards our clients have come to expect and there is no visible difference compared to the genuine window which is more than 50% heavier in weight (Our rear hatch weighs 8kg without and 12kg installed to the OEM frame, the OEM hatch weighs approximately 27kg).
The advantages of LEXAN® Windows over glass
LEXAN® coating is a two sided hard-coated polycarbonate material that offers excellent impact resistance, optical clarity and abrasion resistance (scratch and chemical resistant) and is ideal for many functional parts requiring exceptional surface hardness and strength. In addition our LEXAN® rear hatch window requires no special cleaner or polishing. Our product is also UV-resistant to yellowing and crazing from heat.
Using LEXAN® carries a substantial weight savings over the OEM ordinary glass. For example, a 1/4” thick square foot of LEXAN® weighs 1.56 lbs. in comparison to 3.2 lbs. of glass. Another consideration is that further weight savings are obtained because a lesser thickness of LEXAN® (4mm) is used. Effectively our product is 50% lighter than glass.
Safety considerations support polycarbonate over glass. Glass is a brittle material. LEXAN® has proven to be a much better impact absorbent substance. LEXAN® polycarbonate sheet offers the highest impact strength of any transparent glazing product which has 250 times the impact strength of glass and 30 times that of acrylic. In everyday life you will find polycarbonate uses in the manufacture of CD-ROM’s and DVD’s which require strength, exceptional clarity and surface smoothness which is achieved during the injection moulding process.
In motorsport around the world many sanctioning bodies have endorsed the use of polycarbonate products and more are changing over each season. These authorities have studied and evaluated the suitability of polycarbonates and support their use. Sanctioning bodies permitting the use of polycarbonate windows include NHRA, IHRA, NASCAR, SCCA, ARCA, CART and many others.
Our Deutsch Nine LEXAN® windows are molded to OEM specifications and to exact sizes. This eases the installation process into your rear Porsche hatch frame.
Please Note: This is a bespoke product that is manufactured in England on an individual order basis. Production time is 10 working days (maximum).
