Ford Faction Concept
Why can’t there be an SUV tailored more for city life than backcountry
pursuits? Why can’t there be a contemporary vehicle interior inspired
by a fashionable twenty something’s apartment?
In fact, there could be. And that vehicle is the new Ford Faction concept
making its debut at the 2003 Los Angeles Auto Show.
As the first automotive design from Ford’s new Ingeni studio in
London, the Faction concept shows what happens when people living in the
heart of a crowded, urban landscape set out to create a car to suit their
lifestyle.
The result is a tough, yet fashionable three-door SUV with all-wheel
drive, novel utility and multimedia features, plus a refined interior
for American urbanites who know and appreciate European- influenced materials.
This is a concept vehicle with the honest, genuine appearance of a Ford,
specifically created for people who live in the middle of the action –
hence the name Faction. It’s for city drivers who haul friends and
gear, and who need to maneuver quickly through crowded streets.
When parking becomes a precision sport, the Faction concept can be squeezed
into tight spots with the help of City Eye, a camera system that provides
a view of directly behind the vehicle.
“The Faction is designed for – and by – the lifestyle
generation,” says Kris Tomasson, chief designer at Ingeni. “These
are people with active, diverse lives who want a vehicle that’s functional,
nimble and stylized.”
J Mays, Ford vice president, Design, commissioned the Ingeni project.
“The Faction concept is targeted at a new world audience that is
very design savvy,” Mays says. “This is a refined product in
much the same way as a nice watch or a piece of designer furniture. And
that’s why were showing it in L.A. This is the only trend-setting
city in America with a lifestyle built around people and their cars.”
City Living Made Easier
The design of the Faction concept is unique. It hinges on the
concept of making life with a car in the city easier.
A city-friendly door system uses double-link hinges that make getting
in and out of the car much easier when your parking ramp spot has been
infringed by an inconsiderate neighbor. After pressing a button on the
key fob, the circular door handle presents itself to the driver to indicate
the doors have been unlocked even from a distance.
Faction’s unique tailgate has a low opening line with fully retractable
glass that also is activated by the key fob. This feature allows smaller
items to be loaded into the back of the vehicle without the need for opening
the tailgate.
Interior Style and Utility
The interior of the new Faction concept was inspired by contemporary
furniture. Ingeni designers were strongly influenced by trends at Europe’s
annual Milan Furniture Fair. Faction concept features clean, simple shares
and muted colors, with carefully selected materials, including leather.
Two unique items reinforce the influence casual furniture had on the
Faction concept. A specially designed clock that displays two time zones
– Los Angeles and London – has replaced the rear view mirror.
Just behind the clock is a visible ceiling fan for ventilation and cooling.
The interior layout follows the philosophy of uncluttered, functional
simplicity. The whole rear section of the roof is a glass panel, which
gives a feeling of openness to the inside. When more cargo room is needed,
the rear bench seat can be lowered with a single-switch retraction system.
Additional functionality comes from a unique storage tray that slides
in and out of the cargo area and can be used right-side up or up-side
down, depending on package and luggage needs.
Many of the items drivers use, such as the CD holder, cupholder, waste-bin
and an innovative retracting gearshift lever, have been relocated into
the center armrest. This allowed the designers to simplify and lighten
the instrument panel to a few necessary items including the speedometer,
fuel level and a central multi-switch.
A Unique View: The City Eye
In addition to controlling the heating and cooling system,
the multi-switch also is where drivers access the City Eye, a media system
that provides security, entertainment and driving information to both
the driver and passengers.
Multiple cameras take images from strategically placed interior and exterior
locations – and make urban parking a whole new, easier experience.
The images are displayed on three screens at the base of the windshield.
The driver has a choice of a panoramic rear view, a close-up view directly
behind the vehicle, a security scope, or the entertaining antics of other
passengers.
The security mode keeps a close “eye” on the vehicle, informing
the driver and local authorities of a possible break-in or theft. The
City Eye also is where the driver can view videos as well as service information
obtained via a custom-designed personal digital assistant.
Under The Hood
Although Faction concept drivers rarely venture off the paved
streets of their urban environment, they have the capability to visit
more rugged terrain should they desire. The vehicle has a permanent all-wheel-drive
system, with traction and braking control and disc brakes on all four
wheels, providing enhanced capability for wet or snowy road conditions.
Faction concept has been engineered for a responsive driving experience.
It borrows its Duratec ST engine from the European Focus ST170, an uprated
version of the standard 2.0-liter Focus powerplant that delivers 167 horsepower
and 143 foot-pounds of torque.
It features a high-flow aluminum cylinder head with larger inlet valves
and higher-lift intake and exhaust camshafts for higher peak rpm levels,
plus continuously variable intake valve timing. Duratec ST’s dual
stage intake (DSI) manifold uses long runners for low-end torque and shorter
runners for higher peak power outputs, giving Faction its highly honed
urban driveability.
It also features the refinement of a dual mass flyweel, which enhances
the smoothness of the semi-automatic transmission.
From Ingeni in Europe to North America
The Faction concept is the first automotive design from Ingeni,
Ford’s new design and creativity center in London.
Opened in June 2002, Ingeni has an international team of approximately
30 designers and business managers. From their base in the world’s
capital of culture and style, the designers at Ingeni use state-of-the-art
software and other computer technologies to create and capture quality
designs. They also share insights with international experts from the
worlds of fashion, commercial arts, advertising and marketing.
In addition to creating automobiles and lifestyle merchandise for Ford’s
eight brands, the designers also develop non-automotive consumer products
running the gamut from sunglasses to furniture.
Although New-Cars.com checks with auto manufacturers and their representatives
to confirm the accuracy of the data, it makes no guarantee or warranty,
either expressed or implied with respect to the data presented here. All
specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice.
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