GENEVA – Ford gave customers around the world — and the workers who will build the car at the Wayne plant in suburban Detroit — a first glimpse of its new Focus compact today on the eve of the annual Geneva Auto Show.
The Iosis Max concept takes the bold kinetic styling theme Ford’s European design team created and applies it to the Focus, which goes into production in Europe, the United States and Asia next year.
The car also previewed three new technologies Ford will use to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining performance.
The Iosis Max is the third in Ford’s line of Iosis concept cars. The previous two led to the creation of the Mondeo midsize sedan and Kuga compact crossover SUV, both of which have drawn wide acclaim in Europe. The Kuga is expected to go into production at a Ford plant in the United States, while the next generation of the Mondeo and Fusion will share their design and mechanical systems.
“Kinetic design can be applied to almost every vehicle we make except the Mustang and pickup trucks,” said J Mays, Ford vice president of design. He said that the next generation of Ford’s iconic Explorer SUV will draw on the look when it moves to a lighter weight and more fuel efficient unibody chassis. “85% of our product line will use kinetic design.”
While the Iosis Max’s profile and sliding rear doors suggest the look of a small minivan, Mays said the concept’s front end provides a clear idea of the styling for the next Focus. That car goes into production in Europe and Asia in the first half of 2010 and in the second half as a 2011 model at the Wayne assembly plant.
The Iosis Max measures 167.3 inches long, about 7.7 inches shorter than the current Focus sedan. It rides on a 102-inch wheelbase, nearly an inch shorter than the current Focus. The concept’s front and rear overhangs are nearly nonexistent, however, suggesting production models will grow closer to the Focus’ size.
The Iosis Max is the first European vehicle to use one of Ford’s Ecoboost turbocharged direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 180 horsepower. Ford says the engine reduces fuel consumption up to 20% compared to a conventional engine with the same output.
Ford will launch Ecoboost in the United States on V6 engines used in its Taurus SHO and Lincoln MKS cars this summer.
The Iosis Max also uses the new six-speed Powershift dual-clutch automated manual transmission Ford developed with supplier Getrag. That transmission, which improves fuel economy compared to a conventional automatic but does not require the driver to operate a clutch.
The concept also features a system that automatically stops the engine when it’s idling in traffic and restarts it automatically, a fuel-saving device Ford will put into production in 2010.
The Iosis concept showcases three unusual door mechanisms Ford is studying for future vehicles. The front doors are double-hinged, allowing them to be opened for easy access in very narrow parking spaces. The sliding rear doors are also in the works for upcoming passenger cars.
The tailgate features a unique two-piece construction that can be opened in three different ways for easy access and maximum storage space, said Patrick Verhée, innovation manager for the concept.
source: freep
