Sliding roof system with stackable panels and vehicle equipped therewith

A retractable roof system for a motor vehicle including a vehicle structure and having a front end and a rear end, the retractable roof system comprising at least a front roof panel and a rear roof panel which are movable in relation to each other along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between:

• a flush position in which the roof panels are placed substantially at the same level as each other, the front roof panel thus being located in front of the rear roof panel, along said longitudinal direction;
• and
• an off-set position in an upward direction in which the roof panels are placed at least partially one above the other;
• one of the front and rear roof panels bearing a group of front levers and a group of articulated rear levers, so as to tip over between:
• a low position in which said one of the front and rear panels is substantially flush with a surround part of the vehicle structure,
• and a high position in which said one of the front and rear panels is off-set in an upward direction in relation to the level of its flush position;
• wherein:
• said front and rear group of levers are pivotally mounted in relation to said roof panel which bears them;
• at least one of said front and rear roof panels comprises driving means for driving the lever groups and one of said roof panels, together:
• either from the front towards the rear, along a distance ensuring said roof panel to move from its flush position to its off-set position in an upward direction;
• or from the rear towards the front, along said distance, but in the opposite direction, to ensure said roof panel to move from its off-set position to its flush position;
• and
• the lever groups engage, under the control of the driving means, guides extending essentially substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction, said guides being adapted for:
• during the controlled displacement of the lever groups from the front towards the rear, guiding their tipping over movement from the flush position of the corresponding roof panel to the off-set position thereof;
• and
• during the controlled displacement of said lever groups from the rear towards the front, guiding their tipping over movement from the off-set position of the corresponding panel towards its flush position thereof.