Ford's Vision of the Future
Posted by:
Mark Bilek
Everyone loves a good concept car and Ford's popped the hood on a great one. Just in time for a debut at the Frankfort Motor Show comes Evos, which according to Ford is the ultimate expression of Dearborn, Michigan, based automaker's new global design and technology vision.
The stunning Evos is a dramatic four-door, four-seat fastback driven by a state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain. It features clam-shell-opening doors and futuristic interior. The concept car measures 177 inches long is 77 inches wide and stands just 53 inches tall.
Though it does offer a unique drivetrain and eye-catching styling, the Evos is really about the future of automotive technology via-a-via the "cloud." By connecting with drivers' calendars and learning to recognize daily patterns, the Evos foreshadows a world where automotive driving dynamics and infotainment systems are tailored to each individual's needs and wants.
"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," said Ford Chief Technical Officer Paul Mascarenas. "We're researching how we can use patterns or preferences set by the driver to make life simpler. The car gets to know you and can act as a personal assistant to handle some of the usual routines of a daily commute."
For example, Evos could broadcast the same morning news radio program you were listening to in the kitchen, close the garage door and adapt steering and driving controls based on your daily commute. In the evening, Evos would peruse your calendar to predict your departure time, then turn on the climate control so the cabin is a comfortable 73 degrees the moment you open the door.
Likewise, the Evos' plug-in hybrid drivetrain--which promises a total range of 500 miles from a gasoline motor and lithium-ion batteries--would recognize driver behavior and calculate traffic patterns to a preset destination, adjusting engine dynamics to maximize fuel economy.
Ford says there are no plans to produce Evos, but it sure would look cool on a stand at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Here are some pictures to tide you over.
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