Ford Evos Concept
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13th September, 2011
- Ford Evos Concept showcases Ford’s first truly global design language and a new vision for
customer-focused and intuitive technologies
- Dramatic four-door, four-seat fastback concept with state-of-the-art lithium-ion plug-in hybrid
powertrain previews Ford’s new global design language with distinctive exterior and interior design
cues
- Driver engagement technologies explore seamless enhancement of the driving experience, driver
well-being and smart, electrified powertrain.
Making its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany this week, the Ford Evos
Concept represents an expression of Ford’s new global design language, and explores future powertrain
and vehicle technologies.
Designed 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
personalising 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 programme 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.
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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 providing 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 lay
out which combines dynamic appearance with surprising practicality.
“This is an exciting new interpretation of the fastback body style, 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 provide 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 4.50 m (177 in) long, 1.97 m (77 in) wide and 1.36 m (53 in) high, with a
wheelbase of 2.74 m (108 in).
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 providing a
confident, more premium look.
Bold, technical shapes, such as the extremely slim ‘laser cut’ front lamps or the dramatic graphic
provided 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.”
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“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 driver
Reflecting 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.
Coming sooner
The first of the new generation of Ford production cars developed using the
new design vocabulary will be given its public debut in 2012.
“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 premium
appeal but, above all, are stunningly beautiful,” said Mays. “The first fruit of
this vision will be ready sooner than you might think – you'll see it in around
four months rather than four years. We can’t wait to introduce the first
production car to include this new Ford design to our global customers.”
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