Japanese car maker Toyota (Toyota, Aichi prefecture; www.toyota-global.com) has used “Lexan” PC from Sabic (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com) in a rear quarter window of its special edition “86 GRMN” sports car. The window is Toyota’s first use of Sabic’s plasma-coated technology in a commercially available vehicle.

The car’s rear quarter window is injection moulded with “Lexan” resin and then coated with Sabic’s “Exatec” plasma technology. The flexible glass-like coating is deposited on top of a base wet coat to enhance performance. The part is about 50% lighter compared with a conventional glass window.

Toyota said that until now, manufacturers have produced PC-glazed rear quarter windows using wet-coat only solutions. While wet-coat solutions can meet industry’s needs for weatherability and abrasion resistance, the automotive manufacturer said a higher level of performance for driver visibility was also required in some cases.

“No other technology is available today with the same level of durability for PC-glazed windows than this plasma solution,” said Scott Fallon, Sabic‘s automotive business leader. He added that “Exatec” makes it possible for PC-glazed windows to meet legislated driver visibility requirements, where regulations allow for their use.

Toyota said it focused on the production of a durable lightweight part for the 86 GRMN to support its evaluation of the plasma coating for use on a mass-produced global model.

PC glazing can offer new style and functional capabilities compared with glass. For example, rear quarter windows can integrate an aerodynamic spoiler, roof pillar, airflow separators, door handle scallops and rear lamps.

The 86 GRMN sports car is exclusive to Japan and was exhibited in January at “Tokyo Auto Salon 2016” (www.tokyoautosalon.jp).