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New Ford Sportrac concept
The
original sport utility truck, Explorer Sport Trac, has now been slammed
and glammed - street-rod style. It's long, low and wide, with massive
21-inch 10-spoke wheels in a gunmetal finish. Its graceful lines cover
a growling, racing machine's heart. Racing cues are incorporated throughout,
including two side scoops and twin hood scoops. The structurally integrated
running boards emphasize the Sport Trac concept's long wheelbase with
its distinctive silhouette. Plus, there's more of everything that makes
a Sport Trac a Sport Trac. We've added more room inside, 30 percent more
cargo room in the bed and made this Sport Trac almost five inches longer
and two inches wider than today's version. Under the hood, there's a more
powerful 4.6-liter V8. And there's a more comfortable and controlled ride
on the concept's all-new independent rear suspension with the unique Roll
Stability ControlTM adding a new dimension of safety. All this versatility
is delivered in a smooth, street-ready, make-an-impact package.
New Ford SYNus Supermini
Ford’s
Fiesta supermini has acquired some serious attitude, forming the basis
for this concept car revealed at the Detroit Motor Show. The
Synus would become Ford’s smallest model on sale in America if it
made production, a decision Ford bosses will consider after assessing
public reaction in Detroit.
Although there are numerous concept car-only features such as a 42-inch
LCD screen, internet access, bulletproof glass and a combination lock
on the driver’s door, Ford is testing the water ahead of plans to
launch the smallest model in its US range. With growing urban populations,
Ford says the US will soon be ready for smaller city cars.
Unveiled at the Detroit show, the ‘urban tough’ exterior has
been inspired by bank vaults and armoured cars, and there are strong hints
of the American-market Honda Element in the square profile and the vehicle’s
size.
The small windows on the flanks and roof are bulletproof and when the
car is parked in secure mode, it deploys protective shutters over the
windscreen and side windows. Entry is achieved via a dial mounted on the
driver’s side B-pillar, while the rear hatch is opened by a vault-style
four-spoke wheel.
The cabin has been designed to provide accommodation for four, with features
such as a steering wheel that folds away beneath the dashboard to create
more room. The front seat bases rotate to allow the occupants to face
each other, and the rear bench seat can fold flat to accommodate luggage
or to afford a better view of the 42-inch LCD screen that fills the rear
doorframe.
This screen can be used for surfing the web, watching films or –
via externally mounted cameras – to display the area around the
rear of the vehicle. When the Synus is in motion, the screen doubles up
as a rear window.
The MacPherson strut front/semi-independent rear suspension set-up is
borrowed straight from the Fiesta, although the Synus’s track is
wider and the concept wears 18in alloy wheels with 225/50 tyres. Power
comes from Ford’s 2.0-litre Duratorq diesel engine, which develops
134bhp and 236lb ft of torque.
