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Showing posts with label Ford concepts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ford concepts. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Ford Evos Concept Preview
Ford Evos Concept – The Ultimate Expression of Ford's New Global Design and Technology Vision
BERLIN, Germany, August 31, 2011 – Making its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Ford Evos Concept represents the ultimate expression of Ford's new global design language, and explores key future powertrain and vehicle technologies.Created as a bespoke concept vehicle, the fastback introduces Ford's first truly global design language as the momentum of the company's One Ford product plan continues to build.
"The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development."With its compelling design and innovative technology experience, this is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand. While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products around the world will display many of the distinctive design ideas and advanced technologies it showcases."
Technology vision for enriched customer experience
Ford Evos Concept is not just a design-led exercise. It also embodies the global Ford product development team's move to design and develop vehicles as more than just an interior and exterior, or a collection of attributes."Our goal is to focus on enriching a customer's every experience with their vehicle – by personalizing it, adapting it, and creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them," said Kuzak. "In the Ford Evos Concept, this objective is explored and extended to the area of connectivity, where the intent is not to convert the vehicle into a smartphone, but rather to provide personalised and safe connection to the outside world in an enriching manner designed totally for the vehicle context."Ford's global Research and Innovation team, led by Paul Mascarenas, was tasked with building Evos Concept around a technology experience as visionary as the design. The result signals how Ford intends to build on the momentum of innovations like the SYNC in-car connectivity system."At Ford, the future of technology in the car will be defined by the experience that it delivers to the driver and passengers," said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. "We see technology as more than just an impressive list of microprocessors, sensors and software; it's about the application of that technology to create an experience that enhances the driver's time behind the wheel."The concept's technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver's 'personal cloud' of information is at the heart of the vision for its capabilities."The possibilities are fascinating when we explore how to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and car linked by access to the driver's personal information," Mascarenas said.With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an exceptionally dynamic driving experience.
Ford researchers are focusing their efforts in this area to deliver on four key customer benefits: personalisation, seamless enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver's well-being and delivering smart electrified powertrain optimisation.
The personalised, cloud-connected lifestyle
While today's Ford products provide drivers with many personalisation options, cloud connectivity will enable future Ford vehicles to take the experience to the next level.Drawing from a detailed understanding of the driver's preferences and driving habits, the Ford Evos Concept combines this personal information with additional data from the cloud, such as the driver's work schedule and local traffic or weather conditions. This information provides a personalised and seamless experience as the driver transitions in and out of the car."We're researching how we can use patterns or preferences set by the driver to make life simpler," said Mascarenas. "The car gets to know you and can act as a personal assistant to handle some of the usual routines of a daily commute."It could automatically play the same music or news program that was just streaming at home, or heat or cool the interior to an ideal temperature before the driver gets in without having to be requested by predicting departure time based on his calendar. Wirelessly communicating with devices in the home, it could close the garage door and switch off the lights automatically as it pulls away."This cloud-connected vision shows the enormous potential of tailoring the driving experience to suit the exact personal tastes and moods of the driver," said Mascarenas. "From recommending a great driving road from friends on your social networks or resetting your alarm clock to let you sleep in when a morning meeting gets cancelled!"
Enhanced driving experience
Ford Evos Concept explores adaptive vehicle technologies to redefine the driving experience.Current technology requires vehicle chassis settings to be defined based upon the abilities and tastes of a cross-section of drivers and the topography of typical roads. The concept foresees tuning handling and performance to the road ahead and the specific individual behind the wheel.Learning driver habits and capabilities, the technology can overlay map and weather data sourced from the cloud to adjust powertrain, steering, suspension and braking systems for optimum enjoyment, comfort and safety. Because the vehicle is adaptive and honed to maximum performance based on the situation, it takes driving engagement to a new level.
Driver wellness
Ford researchers have already developed technologies focused on driver wellness, such as the heart-rate monitoring seat and certified allergy-free interiors. With a seamless connection to the cloud, the Ford Evos Concept monitors the physical state and workload of the driver and adjusts the driving experience accordingly."Our wellness research and technologies are focused on relieving driver stress and enhancing their situational awareness," said Mascarenas. "Drivers around the world are spending more time behind the wheel, and the car should not be another stress point in their lives."The Ford Evos Concept is also equipped with advanced air quality sensors and filtration systems to help allergy sufferers. Location aware, it can access air quality data from the cloud and proactively suggest a healthier route to the destination.In dynamic driving situations, the vehicle may simplify the appearance of the instrument panel to display only necessary gauge information and switch the driver's connected smartphone to "Do Not Disturb" mode to help keep the focus of attention on the road.
Cloud-optimised hybrid powertrain
Completing the vision for the Ford Evos Concept is a state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain providing the same next-generation performance and fuel economy as the Ford C-MAX Energi scheduled for introduction in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.Ford 'powersplit' hybrid architecture allows the electric motor and petrol engine to work together or separately to maximise efficiency. The advanced powertrain typically runs in all-electric mode before switching to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency.Cloud connectivity would provide further opportunities to enhance performance and efficiency by selecting the optimum combination of powertrain modes for any given journey."Access to historical driver behaviour and travel patterns allows us to calculate the optimal fuel and energy efficiency by predicting the destination," said Mascarenas. "Our researchers are working to increase understanding of driver behaviour, develop accurate protocols to predict it and enhance the trip by providing the smartest use of fuel or battery for the situation."The cloud-optimised powertrain would automatically 'know' when to save energy and switch modes, using information about the vehicle's predicted travel route, any emission zone restrictions during the journey and current weather conditions.In the future, communities may place firm restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed to use certain roads or highway lanes, and some city centres may choose to be open only to full electric vehicles. Helping drivers comply with such regulations could therefore be among the benefits of this technology. For example, the French government is considering creating zones mandating lower emissions, while cities such as London, Berlin, and Stockholm already have them in place.This capability would further enhance the performance of Ford's advanced PHEV technology, which offers an overall driving range of more than 500 miles (800 kilometres) using the battery and engine – more than any other plug-in or extended-range electric vehicle."With its leading-edge 'cloud-optimised' PHEV powertrain offering outstanding efficiency and range with supreme driving enjoyment, the Ford Evos Concept highlights our vision for greener, smarter vehicles with outstanding customer appeal," said Kuzak.
Ford's new design direction
The Ford Evos Concept was specifically developed to introduce the new Ford design direction. Key design elements will be applied to forthcoming Ford vehicles.The new global design DNA provides the company's worldwide design teams with a common framework to guide the creation of new products, enabling them to shape a coherent family of distinctive vehicles sharing the same fundamental design character."We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading – shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a strong premium visual appeal, and above all, are stunningly beautiful," said J Mays, group vice president, Design and chief creative officer."Our exciting new design DNA has been developed and refined by an intensive effort by all of our talented global design team," said Mays. "As a team, we wanted to create a more technical design vocabulary to help communicate the smart technology that is now core to the Ford brand. In addition, we worked particularly hard on meeting the high-expectations of a new generation of buyers – a group of consumers who have grown up surrounded by beautiful, premium design work on even the most affordable products."
Dramatic fastback design with unique proportions
To provide a fitting vehicle to introduce the new design language, the Ford Evos Concept was conceived as a dramatic fastback concept, combining a striking new profile with innovative proportions. Attention-grabbing lines conceal a unique new format, with a four-door, four-seat layout which combines dynamic appearance with surprising practicality."This is an exciting new interpretation of the fastback bodystyle, with a really innovative silhouette as well as dramatic and very modern proportions," Mays said.With the length of a typical C-car, but with width of a CD-car, the Ford Evos Concept has a powerful, sporting stance. The forward position of the cowl, the strongly rounded front screen and the A-pillars set further to the rear enabled the designers to create the impression of a classic GT car, but with a very contemporary feel.The concept's spectacular hinged gullwing-style doors, both front and rear, provide outstanding access to the spacious four-seat cabin.The concept car measures 4.50m (177in) long, 1.97m (77in) wide and 1.36m (53in) high, with a wheelbase of 2.74m (108in).
Distinctive evolution
Shaped as the ultimate expression of the new design DNA, the Ford Evos Concept highlights key elements of Ford's distinctive new global design language."The new design DNA marks a bold evolution of the kinetic design language featured on existing global Ford products and is characterised by a number of important elements that will contribute to an unmistakable future Ford look," said Mays.From the front, the Ford Evos Concept immediately signals the arrival of something new – a new face for Ford featuring the signature trapezoidal grille mounted higher on the car and creating a confident, more premium look.Bold, technical shapes, such as the extremely slim 'laser cut' front lamps or the dramatic graphic created by the front and rear screens connected by the thin glazed section of the roof, add a distinctive character to the design. Sculptured flanks highlight attention to detail on the surfacing, which lends a refined quality and a tauter, more muscular character."The Ford Evos Concept embodies the core elements of the new global design language, while capturing the dynamic, fun-to-drive spirit which is central to the Ford DNA," said executive design director Martin Smith. "Most notable is the brand new 'face of Ford', with its higher mounted trapezoidal grille, and the design is characterised by the use of very bold, technical graphics. We have also created much more refined and precise surfacing, and these elements together give a strong visual sense of premium quality.The vehicle was sculpted with the same purity of surface sculpture and attention to detail which characterise premium vehicles. Around the world, a new generation of buyers have come to expect premium design in all products, regardless of the purchase price.Built around the driverReflecting the fun-to-drive spirit of its exterior design, the interior of the Ford Evos Concept is built around the driver. A stylish and innovative cockpit promises new levels of driving pleasure and driver interaction.The interior architecture features clean and simple surfaces, with a muscular, athletic character to the slim upper instrument panel, enhanced by bold trapezoidal cut-outs. Contrasting these muscular forms, curvaceous cockpit display surfaces sweep down either side of the driver, providing secondary information about vehicle and infotainment systems.The concept features a bold red driver's seat and the vision of unprecedented driver interaction via an advanced driver interface. The two rear seat passengers get an equally special experience, with dedicated touch-screen displays to interact with the vehicle and individually adjustable sports seats."Both the exterior and interior of the Ford Evos Concept clearly communicate that this is a driver's car, so that as soon as people see the vehicle, they will immediately want to get in and drive," said executive design director Moray Callum.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Ford Mad Max Interceptor Concepts
MELBOURNE – July 1, 2011: Almost 10,000 car enthusiasts have voted to choose the next Mad Max Interceptor.
As interest in the Mad Max Interceptor "Next Generation" project goes global, Ford Australia and TopGear Australia magazine have extended the voting period through July for readers to pick between the two new spectacular Interceptors concepts being crafted by Ford designers.
"We're delighted that both our readers and the social web community have warmed to the car," TopGear Australia Editor, Stephen Corby, said. "The level of interest has really taken us by surprise, particularly with on-line media."
The two 21st century concepts have been designed by Ford for TopGear Magazine Australia to help celebrate the revival of the Mad Max action movie genre.
Diehard fans around the world have welcomed the latest designs, even though it is more than 30 years since Hollywood director, George Miller's original Mad Max movie hit movie screens.
Ford Australia's Melbourne-based Asia, Pacific and Australia Design Director, Chris Svensson, said the project had been a spectacular success.
"It has given our team a lot of scope to really extend their imaginations and come up with some exciting new ideas," Svensson said.
"The team has been able to get quite creative because the Mad Max car is not constrained by the normal design parameters imposed by a real-world vehicle."
All employees of Ford Australia's Research Centre are behind the after-hours project, which – apart from Australia - has gained a strong media following in the United States, Spain, Italy, France and India.
Led by chief designer passenger cars Asia, Pacific and Africa, Todd Willing, the two Mad Max concepts are accompanied by real-life graphics.
TopGear Australia magazine has followed the progress of the cars from the concept stage, right through to full-blown Computer Aided Design. Their progress has been well documented in TopGear Australia magazine with readers being asked to vote on which concept they prefer.
In the latest July issue of TopGear Australia, which has just hit newstands, the concepts have been further refined and journalist James Stanford has been allowed unprecedented access to the design studio to see the models being built and talk to the design team about the process.
The two 40 per cent-size clay models weighing around 130kg are finished to the highest levels, with detailing and trim highlights.
The two competing concepts – by designers Nima Nourian and Simon Brook - are worthy adversaries that are limitless in their imagination, technology and weaponry. Both cars use industrial-strength weaponry like "tasers" mounted in the front of the cars to zap bad guys on bikes straight off the road.
Other futuristic movie features include a titanium-lined body shell to interrupt police scanners and wheels with extendable spikes to shred enemy vehicles.
Planning has started to film the new Mad Max instalment, tentatively called Mad Max 4: Fury Road.
The original movie starred Mel Gibson and a jet black 1973 XB Falcon GT coupe-based Interceptor.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ford Australia Revives Mad Max Interceptor
Ford Australia, in partnership with TopGear Australia magazine, has unveiled some spectacular new Mad Max Interceptors.
It is more than 30 years since Hollywood director, George Miller's original Mad Max movie - starring Mel Gibson and a jet black Ford XB coupe-based Interceptor - hit movie screens around the world.
Ford Australia's Melbourne-based Asia, Pacific and Australia Design Director, Chris Svensson, jumped at the chance to design a new Interceptor and has since thrown the full weight of Ford Australia's Research Centre behind the project, with stunning results.
"Our entire team was very excited to be involved in this after-hours project and they approached it with a great deal of enthusiasm – even those that were too young to remember the first Mad Max movie," Svensson said. "We had a special screening of the original movie so they could understand it."
Led by chief designer passenger cars Asia, Pacific and Africa, Todd Willing, the team created several way-out concepts that pay homage to styling cues from the original XB Coupe Interceptor.
Out of the concepts two have been chosen by the magazine to feature in the April issue of TopGear Australia magazine, on sale now, because they take body design, power sources and weaponry to a futuristic level.
TopGear Australia magazine readers will be invited to vote on which design Ford should take to the next level.
The winning car will be turned into a clay model, and then a scale version, which is expected to be revealed later this year.
The two competing designs – by designers Nima Nourian and Simon Brook - are limitless in their imagination, technology and weaponry. Among the weaponry is an industrial-strength "taser" mounted to the bonnet to zap bad guys on bikes straight off the road.
Other futuristic movie features include a titanium-lined body shell to interrupt police scanners and wheels with extendable spikes to shred enemy vehicles.
Nourian said his design paid tribute to the 1970s Interceptor, but also drags the car into the future.
"There are some great scenes in the first movie with high-speed chases and clashes with the bad guys, and I thought I'd take that one step further," he said. "So instead of having weapons and machine guns, we've got an industrial strength taser that'll zap cars dead and out of the way.
Brook's car was equally threatening. "During high-speed pursuits, the wheel's inner spokes on my design would pop out and start ripping up other cars," Brook said. "They'd do some serious damage to other people's vehicles."
Brook's design takes cues from the current FG Falcon but advances it further into Armageddon-land, while adding touches of the retro Interceptor as well. "I wanted to keep it clean and aerodynamic in its essence, but still brutal and tough."
Friday, February 25, 2011
Ford Airstream Concept
2007 Airstream Concept Overview
TWO AMERICAN ICONS DELIVER THE CROSSOVER MODEL OF THE FUTURE WITH THE FORD AIRSTREAM CONCEPT Crossover growth is exploding : Ford Airstream Concept speaks to the future of crossovers as the market segment is projected to top 3 million units annually by the end of the decade. Green Journey : Ford Airstream Concept is powered by a new plug-in hydrogen hybrid fuel cell -- called HySeries Drive -- that operates under electric power at all times and delivers the combined city/highway equivalent fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon. Two icons of American transportation: Ford and Airstream have teamed up to deliver a futuristic crossover concept, showing what tomorrow's road trip vehicles could look like.
Playing to win in the growing crossover segment, Ford has joined with another iconic company to showcase how it could further expand its lineup of expressive crossovers with the Ford Airstream Concept.
"Crossovers are an increasingly important part of our business, and Ford is going to continue developing an expressive range of these vehicles," says Peter Horbury, executive director -- Design, The Americas. "The Ford Airstream Concept is a futuristic look at crossovers. It's the ultimate modern touring vehicle that delivers flexibility and capability with dynamic design that evokes the spirit of the journey."
The concept is powered by a plug-in hydrogen hybrid fuel cell drivetrain -- called HySeries Drive™ -- that operates under electric power at all times. This advanced fuel cell system is half the weight and cost of today's fuel cells and can operate in the dead of winter. That's a major step forward because today's fuel cells don't do well when the mercury dips below freezing.
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