Cars-Pickup-Truck: 7/10/12

วันเสาร์ที่ 13 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

>>Ford Interceptor

Ford Interceptor

Ford Interceptor

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Class	Full-size sports sedan
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford D2C platform
Engine	5.0L Cammer V8
Transmission	six-speed manual
Wheelbase	120.8 in (3,068 mm)
Length	201.6 in (5,121 mm)
Width	76.4 in (1,941 mm)
Height	54.8 in (1,392 mm)
Related	Ford Mustang Lincoln MKR
Designer(s)	Peter Horbury Andres Nillson

The Ford Interceptor is a concept car which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Interceptor is a retro-styled sedan that reflects a modern interpretation of the classic sporty American muscle cars from the 1960s, like the Ford Galaxie. Ford officially introduced the Interceptor Concept in a company press release dated 31 December 2006. Ford describes the Interceptor design styling as being influenced "...much like a Marine in dress uniform. He looks smart and elegant but you can see the raw power that lies beneath." Ford currently has no production plans for such a full-sized, rear-wheel drive sedan, although some of the Interceptor's design cues have appeared in the sixth-generation Ford Taurus.

Engine

The Interceptor Concept uses a Ford Racing 5.0-liter Cammer engine producing 400 hp (300 kW), with the capability of running on E-85 ethanol. It includes a manual six-speed transmission. The 5.0-liter Cammer engine is an upgraded variant of the 4.6-liter modular engine that was powering the Mustang GT until 2011.

Exterior

The car includes a powered clamshell “shaker” hood, which covers the engine. The fullsize sedan is based on a stretched version of the rear wheel drive Mustang's Ford D2C platform, featuring a solid rear axle. The body is proportioned with short front overhang and a long rear overhang, and features a low roofline and a high beltline, when compared to other Ford sedans like the Ford Taurus, with a wedged profile. The Interceptor Concept continues with the current Ford horizontal three-bar grille design introduced on the Ford Fusion and Ford Edge. The hood is high up, and flat with a raised rear-middle section. The squircle-shaped rear headlights on the Interceptor also influenced those on the current Ford Taurus.

Interior

The Interceptor incorporates a four-point "belt and suspenders" harness seat belt design in the front and rear seats, with inflatable safety belts for rear seat passengers. The four-point belt represents a possible next-generation safety belt system that is designed to be more comfortable and easier to use than traditional three-point belts. The dash, headliner, steering wheel, and four low-back bucket seats are wrapped in leather. There are retractable headrests that deploy from the roof, adjusting fore and aft as well as up and down for each occupant. The audio control panel and climate controls are stowable, and there is a gated six-speed shifter in the center dash.

Specifications

Powertrain: 5.0-liter Cammer V-8 / 400 hp (300 kW) / flexible fuel

Transmission: Manual six-speed gearbox

Chassis Dimensions:

Overall length: 201.6 in (5,121 mm).
Wheelbase: 120.8 in (3,068 mm).
Overall width: 76.4 in (1,941 mm).
Overall height at curb: 54.8 in (1,392 mm).
Front track width: 66.5 in (1,689 mm).
Rear track width: 67.8 in (1,722 mm).

Suspension

Front: Double wishbone independent
Rear: 3-Link design with Panhard rod

Interior

Front Headroom: 37.5 in (953 mm).
Rear Headroom: 35.9 in (912 mm).
Front Legroom: 42.3 in (1,074 mm).
Rear Legroom: 35.6 in (904 mm).

>>Ford Indigo

Ford Indigo

The Ford Indigo is a concept car developed by Ford for the 1996 auto show circuit and designed by Claude Lobo. Only two examples were built, of which only one was actually functional. It took Ford only six months from the original computer designs to the finished show car. The functional concept is still owned by Ford. The non-functioning show car was auctioned off. Unfortunately, the man who won the auction destroyed it in an accident, making the Indigo belonging to Ford the last remaining example.

The Indigo was created to showcase Ford's Indy car technologies, including new materials and construction techniques as well as powertrain and aerodynamic enhancements. The monocoque chassis was developed in conjunction with Reynard Motorsport as a single piece tub made of a carbon fiber composite material, to which the suspension is directly attached. The suspension was a direct copy, in design and materials to Reynard's various Indy cars, only having to be modified slightly to allow for a two passenger layout.

The working Indigo had a 6.0L V12 48 valve DOHC 435 hp (324 kW) at 6100 rpm engine which used the parts and specifications from Ford's Duratec V6 engine found in the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. The engine has no relation to the V12 used in the Ford GT90 concept a year earlier (using parts from the Modular V8), despite both being a 6.0L V12. This engine would later go on to power many cars by Aston Martin. The engine was bolted directly to the chassis, and is a load-bearing member for some suspension components, as is found with most Indy cars. The transaxle is a 6 speed unit with a manual clutch, and steering wheel mounted push button gear shifting, developed by Reynard for its Indy cars. Ford claimed that the engine was so efficient that it should be capable of 28 mpg_-US(8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg_-imp) on the highway.

Scissor style doors, HID lighting, deep leather bucket seats, a premium stereo, and a four point seatbelt system make the car more on-road friendly.

The car was featured in the PC/PlayStation game Need for Speed II as the hidden 9th car, in Ford Racing 2, Ford Racing 3 and also in the Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racing 3 as the "Ford Super Car Concept".

>>Ford Gyron

Ford Gyron

The Ford Gyron was a futuristic two-wheeled gyrocar first shown to the world in 1961 at the Detroit Motor Show as a concept car. One wheel was at the front and the other at the rear like a motorcycle and the car was stabilized by gyroscopes. The two occupants of the vehicle were seated side by side and, when the vehicle was stationary, two small legs appeared from the sides to support it. The vehicle was created for research and marketing purposes, with no intention to put it into production.

Alex Tremulis was the designer and the gyroscopic systems were based on Louis Brennan's theories. The Ford Motor Company of Detroit gave credit for the Gyron to Louis Brennan. Alex Tremulis had started his career with the US Air Force and worked in 1948 at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the concept of Military flying saucers. He then became the chief designer for the ill-fated Tucker automobile before joining Ford, and was also involved with the Tuscan gyroscopic motorcycles and the Gyronaught XU1 gyroscopic car.

วันศุกร์ที่ 12 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

>>Giugiaro Ford Mustang

Giugiaro Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang Giugiaro

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Class	Muscle car
Body style	2-door coupe
Engine	4.6 L 500 hp (370 kW) V8
Wheelbase	107.1 in (2,720 mm)
Length	188.8 in (4,800 mm)
Width	77.2 in (1,960 mm)
Height	53 in (1,300 mm)
Designer(s)	Fabrizio Giugiaro

The Giugiaro Mustang is a concept car based on the production fifth generation Ford Mustang that debuted at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show. It was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro under Fabrizio Giugiaro, Giorgetto Giugiaro's son.

Styling

In 2005, Fabrizio Giugiaro, the styling director of Italdesign Giugiaro, went to the Ford Motor Company to design a future concept inspired by the fifth generation Ford Mustang. This follows the pattern of Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was instrumental in designing the 1965 Bertone Mustang, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette Moray. It is the younger automobile designer's interpretation of European styling on the 2005 version of the American pony car.

Italdesign Giugiaro changed the styling and design of both the interior as well as the exterior. The final concept of the vehicle is more compact and tapered with a smaller rear overhang, but is wider by 30 mm (1.2 in) at the front, and by 80 mm (3.1 in) at the rear. A single pane forms the windshield as well as the roof, which is made from a type of crystal that filters out all UV rays, yet does not polarize visible light. The doors are touch operated and when opened raise from the A-pillar at a 45 degree angle, similar to the classic Lamborghini's scissor doors. Inside, the interior is trimmed with aluminum and leather. The dashboard, door panels, dials and knobs, instrument cluster, as well as gear lever have been completely redesigned. The car also utilizes reverse cameras on both doors in place of conventional side view mirrors. New periscope-style air conditioning vents, along with a new seat trim, harkens to the pony car’s name with furred horse hides.

Engineering

The Giugiaro Mustang is powered by the 4.6 L V8 from the Mustang GT, but receives additional power from a twin-screw supercharger. The engine is tuned by Italdesign Giugiaro, fitted with fuel injectors from the Ford GT, and has a larger air intake with 95 mm (3.7 in) mass air meter and a conical air filter. Exhaust flow is improved using an X-pipe and Ford Racing mufflers. The engine produces over 500 hp (373 kW) at 11 psi (0.8 bar) of boost from the supercharger.

The Giugiaro Mustang is equipped with a custom Ford Racing handling package, featuring new shock absorbers, lower springs, and thicker sway bars. These changes also lower the ride height by 1.5 inches (38 mm).

>>Ford Forty-Nine

Ford Forty-Nine

The Ford Forty-Nine was a concept car created by the Ford Motor Company. It was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. It is a tribute to the revolutionary 1949 Ford. A convertible was also built.

Engine and Design

The Forty-Nine's engine was the same Jaguar AJ-V8 engine used in the Ford Thunderbird, a naturally aspirated 3.9 liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8. It uses rear-wheel-drive.

>>Ford Seattle-ite XXI

Ford Seattle-ite XXI

The Ford Seattle-ite XXI was a concept car designed by Alex Tremulis and displayed on 20 April 1962 on the Ford stand at the Seattle World's Fair. The car contained novel ideas that have since become reality: interchangeable fuel cell power units; interchangeable bodies; interactive computer navigation, mapping, and auto information systems; and four driving and steering wheels.

The concept of some form of compact nuclear propulsion device was included as a possible power source on the assumption that radiation issues could be overcome without the need for massive shielding.

The car had six wheels, with four steerable ones at the front and two fixed ones at the rear – similar to the fictional six-wheel 1965 FAB1 and the real Tyrrell P34 racing car of the early 1970s. The designers considered the six-wheel concept would enhance tracking, traction, and braking. It had an interchangeable front-powered section that enabled the car to be turned into either an economical city runabout or, when needed, a powerful transcontinental cruiser. All control mechanisms were through flexible couplings. Steering was by way of a fingertip-controlled dial.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 11 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

>>Ford Focus Electric

Ford Focus Electric

Ford Focus Electric

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Also called	Ford Focus BEV
Production	2011 - present
Assembly	Michigan Assembly Plant, Wayne, Michigan
Class	Compact (Ford Global C-Class Platform)
Body style	5-door hatchback
Electric motor	143 hp (107 kW) synchronous motor
Transmission	Fixed ratio
Battery	23 kWh lithium-ion battery
Range	76 mi (122 km) (EPA)
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2,649 mm)
Length	171.6 in (4,359 mm) hatchback
Width	81.1 in (2,060 mm)
Height	57.7 in (1,466 mm)
Curb weight	3,691 lb (1,674 kg)

The Ford Focus Electric is a 5-door hatchback electric car produced by Ford Motor Company. The Focus Electric is Ford's first full production, all-electric passenger vehicle, and production began in December 2011.Deliveries for fleet customers in the United States began in December 2011, and was release to retail customers in May 2012 only in California, New York and New Jersey, in limited numbers, followed by the other 16 initial markets in the third quarter of 2012.The European release is scheduled for late 2012.

The Focus Electric shares the glider of a third generation Ford Focus. Its electric powertrain uses a 23 kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack, which delivers a range of 76 mi (122 km) according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. The agency rated the Focus Electric combined fuel economy at 105 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km), and ranks the Focus Electric as the most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class.The Focus Electric was awarded the 2011 Green Car Vision Award at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.

History

The Ford Focus BEV was the concept electric car introduced by Ford Motor Company at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Focus BEV concept used the European Mark II as its donor vehicle and incorporated key components from Ford’s North American hybrid technology, including the electric climate control system from the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The Focus electric pre-production car was unveiled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show under the new name of Ford Focus Electric, and this pre-production version was based on the Focus Mark III.

U.K. demonstration program

Ford Focus BEV concept car exhibited at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The concept car unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was developed to participate in the U.K. Government's "Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles" demonstration initiative in early 2010. A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and University of Strathclyde will use a fleet of 15 Ford Focus BEVs and a charging infrastructure in and around the London Borough of Hillingdon from early 2010. This new BEV demonstration fleet is being developed partly with public funding from the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB) which promotes innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO₂.

Specifications

Powertrain and battery

The Focus Electric shares Ford’s global C-car platform and is based on the glider of the third generation Ford Focus. The electric car is powered by an electric motor rated at 100 kilowatts (130 hp) and uses a 23 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery pack, which together deliver 92 kW (125 PS; 123 bhp) and 181 lb·ft (245 N·m) of torque.Ford indicated that a battery of an all electric vehicle similar to that of the Focus Electric weighs around 600 to 700 pounds and costs about US$12,000 to US$15,000, or between US$522 and US$650 a kilowatt-hour. The Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph (135 km/h).

Based on its five-cycle testing, the United States Environmental Protection Agency rated the Focus Electric combined fuel economy equivalent at 105 MPGe (2.2 L/100 km), with an equivalent 110 MPGe (2.1 L/100 km) in city driving and 99 MPGe (2.4 L/100 km) on highways. EPA's certified all-electric range is 76 mi (122 km), 3 miles longer than the Nissan Leaf.

The charging port in the production version is located on the left front fender

Ford used a complete electric drive train developed and supplied by Magna International,and the advanced lithium-ion battery system is being engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier Compact Power, Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem.A full recharge using the car's 6.6 kW charger takes 3–4 hours using a SAE J1772-2009 charging station powered from a standard 240 volt socket. A 120-volt convenience cord is also included allowing recharging from North American standard 120-volt outlets which could take up to 20 hours.

The advanced battery system uses an active liquid cooling and heating thermal management system to precondition and regulate the temperature in the battery system. This feature helps to maximize battery life and driving range. The active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions. On a hot day the cooled liquid absorbs heat from the battery pack, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On a cold day the heated liquid warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system’s temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.

Ford conducted research to define the optimal location of the charge port for the Focus Electric and the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. The carmaker decided to locate the port in the left front fender as such location is more convenient for home charging, which Ford found is what most customers would do. Also the side location avoids areas with high risk of damage in the event of small crashes. Ford says this fact was a driving factor in the choice of the side location rather than the rear or the front.

Connectivity and other features

Lateral view of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric

The Ford Focus Electric will introduce new features and a high level of technological connectivity including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system adapted for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone application called MyFord Mobile that owners can use to control and charge their vehicles remotely.

The specialized version of the MyFord Touch technology for the Focus Electric offers an innovative presentation of vehicle information, such as battery state of charge, distance to charge points, range budget and expected range margin. The system’s MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data including the electrical demands of vehicle accessories such as air conditioning, which can impact driving range. This feature would be used to plan multiple-stop journeys within the car’s range and to locate charging stations. The improved MyFord Touch system will also allow drivers to customize the display on a case-by-case basis according to the owners daily, weekly or monthly driving needs.

Ford's leaf road logo badge for the Focus electric car

Inspired in the Ford Fusion Hybrid growing green leaves of first-generation SmartGauge with EcoGuide, the Focus Electric cluster display uses blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond the drivers’s charge point destination, as more butterflies are shown the greater the range is, and the blue butterflies gradually disappear as the car’s battery is depleted. Ford says the designers were inspired by the butterfly effect, a phenomenon in which a small change, such as choosing to drive an electric vehicle, can have an enormous impact. At the end of each trip a display screen provides distance driven, miles gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric.

The display cluster is integrated with the MyFord Touch map-based Navigation System using the car’s center stack 8-inch touch screen. After the driver adds destinations, including their next charge point, into the Navigation System, the system provides coaching advice about driver behaviors such as optimizing regenerative braking and accelerating without drawing too much energy; or on how to achieve the desired range, or if travel plans need to be adjusted. The on-board Navigation System provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient EV driving.

The 2012 Focus Electric will include warning sounds to alert pedestrians of its presence when the electric car is running at low speeds. Ford developed four alternative sounds, and in June 2011 involved the car fans by asking them to pick their favorite from the four potential warning sounds through the Focus Electric Facebook page.

Production

2012 Focus Electric's frontal view

2012 Focus Electric's rear view

Production began in December 2011. The Focus Electric is being built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan on the same line as the gasoline-powered version of the Focus, the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and the C-Max Hybrid. Ford stated that initial production will be limited but will be ramped up in 2012. Ford has not made a decision on where the Focus Electric will be built for European markets.

Markets and sales

United States

Because initial production of the 2012 model year is limited, the Focus Electric will be available initially only in 19 metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Houston and Austin, Texas,Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City,Orlando, Florida, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, Raleigh-Durham,Richmond, Virginia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Deliveries for fleet customers began in December 2011 and to retail customers in May 2012. The first production vehicle was delivered to Google in December 2011 and was incorporated in the company's GFleet carsharing corporate service. Initially sales are limited to California, New York and New Jersey. Ford has scheduled the launch in other selected markets in the third quarter of 2012. A total of 236 units have been delivered through September 2012.Ford expects to sell 5,000 during 2012.

Ford began taking online orders on November 2, 2011, with pricing starting at US$39,995, including a US$795 destination charge, but before the US$7,500 US federal tax credit, along with other state and local incentives available for eligible buyers of plug-in electric vehicles. The 2012 Focus Electric is eligible in California to a US$2,500 rebate through the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project(CVRP), and also was granted free access to California’s high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) for solo drivers.

The Focus Electric is priced significantly higher than a conventional 2012 gas-powered Focus, which as of December 2011 lists a base price of US$16,500, and rising to US$30,692 when fully loaded with all available options. Thus after accounting for all available government incentives, in some locations the Focus Electric may be net-priced similar to a fully loaded gas version. When compared to other plug-in electric vehicles available in the U.S., the Focus Electric has essentially the same price as the 2012 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, and it costs US$3,945 more than the base-model 2012 Nissan Leaf SV.Available options include leather-trimmed seats and two special paint options, blue candy and white platinum.

Ford Focus Electric at a car festival in Sweden with a claimed range of 160 km (99 miles).

Through an association with SunPower, an optional solar-panel system will be offered by some Ford dealers to be installed on the homes of Focus Electric owners to generate enough renewable energy during the day to offset the electricity used to charge the vehicle at night.The SunPower's home solar charging option costs US$10,000 before the available local and federal tax credits. Ford also made an agreement with Best Buy to offer a 240-volt home charging station.

Europe

The European launch is scheduled for late 2012. Although pricing has not been announced, Ford stated that, unlike Renault that will offer a battery-leasing option on its electric vehicles sold in Europe, the Focus Electric will be sold with the battery pack included in the price of the electric car.

Demonstration Focus BEV similar to the one featured on the Jay Leno Show.

Marketing

As a publicity stunt, a Focus BEV was featured on the Jay Leno Show in September 2009. Celebrity guests drove a purpose-built car with the shell from a European market Ford Focus and a test prototype version of electrical powertrain in a segment called "Green Car Challenge".

Recognition

The Ford Focus Electric was awarded the 2011 Green Car Vision Award at the 2011 Washington Auto Show. The 2012 Focus Electric was selected among the five finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year awarded by the Green Car Journal in November 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Since March 2012, the U.S. EPA ranks the Focus Electric as the 2012 most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class.

>>Ford EX

Ford EX

The Ford EX (informally known as the Ford Ex and Ford Extreme) is a concept car created by the Ford Motor Company. It was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. The EX was built to be an off-road vehicle.

Engine and Design

The EX is powered by a front-mounted, single overhead cam, 4.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine, capable of producing up to 375 horsepower (280 kW) (93.8 hp per liter) and 410 ft·lbf (560 N·m) of torque. It has a five-speed manual transmission with four-wheel drive (4WD), and large 33-inch tires. The design of the vehicle is spare, as it has no doors. The exterior is mainly composed of a durable chrome-molybdenum steel exoskeleton, advantageous for its off-road capability.

Media

The EX concept was featured in the 2004 live-action film Thunderbirds.
The EX concept was featured as a playable car in the video games Ford Racing 2 and Ford Racing 3.

>>Ford Evos

Ford Evos

Ford Evos
Ford Evos plug-in hybrid concept car
Manufacturer	Ford
Assembly	Italy
Predecessor	Ford GT
Class	Grand tourer concept car

The Ford Evos is a coupe style plug-in hybrid grand tourer concept car unveiled to the public at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The exterior design, referred to as Kinetic 2.0, was carried out by Stefan Lamm under the leadership of Ford of Europe’s executive design director Martin Smith. The car features four gull-wing doors and is not intended for production.However, Ford announced that the design strategy showcased in the Evos will appear on production cars in a few months.

The Evos is powered by a plug-in hybrid electric powertrain which consists of a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine, electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.

Gallery

วันพุธที่ 10 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

>>Ford B-Max

Ford B-Max

Ford B-Max

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	2012–
Assembly	Craiova, Romania
Predecessor	Ford Fusion
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door hatchback
Platform	Ford B3 platform
Engine	1.0L EcoBoost I3 1.4L Duratec I4 1.6L Duratec I4 1.5L Duratorq TDCi I4 1.6L Duratorq TDCi I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,489 mm (98.0 in)
Length	4,077 mm (160.5 in)
Width	1,751 mm (68.9 in)
Height	1,604 mm (63.1 in)
Related	Ford Fiesta

The Ford B-Max (stylized as Ford B-MAX) is a mini MPV manufactured by Ford Motor Company since 2012. Built on the Ford B3 platform, it was initially unveiled as a concept-car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show,and was officially launched at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Production began in June 2012, and marketing of the first units started during late July.

Overview

The styling of the B-Max continues the Ford Kinetic Design theme, and has rear sliding doors with no B-pillars. Reportedly, the glass is shatter resistant and extra tough in case of an accident.

The B-Max is available with the new 1.0 litre, three-cylinder SCTi engine from the Ford EcoBoost family, that will feature the PowerShift six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, turbocharged direct injection and start & stop system.

On 25 June 2012, the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, bought the first production car directly from the Craiova plant.

The B-Max was tested by Euro NCAP in 2012, receiving a five-star safety rating.

>>Ford Airstream

Ford Airstream

Ford Airstream Concept

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	concept - tba
Class	Crossover SUV
Body style	2-door wagon
Engine	HySeries Fuel Cell Electric
Wheelbase	125.9 in (3,198 mm).
Length	185.0 in (4,699 mm)
Width	78.9 in (2,004 mm)
Height	70.6 in (1,793 mm)

The Ford Airstream is a new concept car which made its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Ford Airstream is a retro-futuristic crossover SUV that was inspired by the classic Airstream recreational vehicle trailers built since the 1930s. The modern Ford Airstream concept includes a plug-in hybrid hydrogen fuel cell drive system, called HySeries Drive, that operates exclusively on electrical power. Ford calls the Ford Airstream Concept "a futuristic look at crossovers" as "modern touring vehicle(s)" for recreational travelers. The concept vehicle was designed in cooperation with Airstream, a division of Thor Industries.

Powerplant

The concept vehicle is powered by a rechargeable plug-in hybrid hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain, called HySeries Drive.This powerplant system was developed with partial funding from the United States Department of Energy, and is currently being tested on a prototype version of the Ford Edge. The Airstream Concept's wheels are driven by electric motors, which are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The Ballard Power Systems hydrogen fuel cell system recharges the vehicle's battery pack as needed, as a portable generator, and the vehicle can also be plugged in, to recharge between trips. The HySeries Drive delivers the equivalent of a combined city/highway equivalent fuel economy of 41 mpg (U.S.) (5.7 L/100 km). In pure-battery mode, the Ford Airstream Concept is designed to travel about 25 miles (40 km), before the hydrogen-powered fuel cell begins operating to recharge the vehicle's 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack. With a full load of hydrogen, the range increases another 280 miles (451 km), for a total of 305 miles (491 km). The sole exhaust emission from the operating vehicle is water vapor.

Exterior

Ford Airstream

The Ford Airstream includes asymmetric doors. The passenger side door is a power clamshell hatch that runs two-thirds the length of the vehicle for loading of passengers and cargo. The crossover includes a rear hatch for loading cargo aft.

Interior

The interior was inspired by spacecraft images and environments portrayed in 2001: A Space Odyssey according to Ford. It is described as a "lounge atmosphere" meant to provide a relaxing experience while traveling. The instrument panel includes flush-mounted, touch-sensitive controls and a single multi-function gauge display with primary driving information. A center-mounted dual-view screen provides a camera view and secondary driver-oriented information, and also allows the front-seat passenger to view DVD films and work on the internet.

The front seats are captain's chairs that can swivel and rotate to face aft. The rear seats are lounge-like, and includes a 360-degree viewscreen for entertainment, games, internet access, and as a live camera feed. The concept vehicle seats include 4-point safety belts.