2011 Frankfurt Motor Show - Ford Evos Concept revealed ahead

The Ford Evos Concept is an all-new design certain to get Blue Oval fans salivating.

Ford has dropped a comprehensive collection of images and details of the Evos Concept ahead of its official global unveiling at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13.

Ford says the dramatic four-door, four-seat plug-in hybrid fastback showcases the company’s “first truly global design language and a new vision for customer-focused and intuitive technologies”.

Ford group vice president of global product development, Derrick Kuzak, said the Evos Concept represented the ‘ultimate expression’ of the brand’s new international design direction.

“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,” Mr Kuzak said.
“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.”

At 4500mm long, 1970mm wide, 1360mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2740mm, the Ford Evos Concept is slightly longer and wider than the Peugeot RCZ.

Its length is typical C-car class, while its width is bordering on the next class up, giving it a wide, sporting stance.

The new design language gives a nod to the old kinetic design theme, but is a clear evolution in almost every element.

The signature trapezoidal grille is mounted higher on the car for a more confident, aggressive appearance. Ford executive design director, Martin Smith, says expect to see this grille throughout the range of next-generation vehicles.

There are a number of bold and technical shapes, including the thin ‘laser cut’ headlights and the heavily sculpted and muscular bonnet and flanks.

The taillights, while reminiscent of the current Mondeo rear lamps, are sleeker and sharper, and heavily recessed into the bumper.

The wide-swinging roof-hinged doors are pure concept, but open up a modern cabin that is not burdened by a B-pillar – a model rapidly taking off among today’s automotive designers.

Inside, the Ford Evos Concept is both driver-focused and designed to enhance passenger comfort and experience.

The surfaces are clean and muscular, with trapezoidal elements continuing from the exterior. The driver’s seat is red and infotainment displays flow from the instrument panel to wrap around the driver. The passengers get their own independent seats, with integrated touchscreens for those in the rear.

Mr Kuzak said the technology in the Evos Concept is designed to personalise the vehicle for each driver and each drive.

“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.”

He said the systems used are an evolution of the current SYNC and embrace next-generation ‘cloud’ technology, designed to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and vehicle by accessing the driver’s personal information.

Ford says the potential of the cloud is almost limitless, with the ability to do anything from automatically adapt the car’s driving dynamics, play the same music or news program that was streaming at home, and even heat or cool the cabin to the ideal temperature before the driver gets in the car by checking your calendar and predicting your departure time.

If you think the Ford Evos Concept little more than a design and technology concept, guess again.

The Evos is powered by the same lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Ford C-MAX Energi, which is scheduled for sale in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

The Evos Concept has a driving range of more than 800km, and can be driven in full-electric or combined petrol-hybrid mode. The powertrain is also linked to the cloud, and can switch between hybrid and electric mode based on your predicted drive route, your driving behaviour, the weather, upcoming weather and other factors.

Ford hasn’t released performance data for the concept yet, but if it goes as well as it looks, it could have some serious speed about it.

The Ford Evos Concept promises to be one of the highlights of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show when it is unveiled in two weeks’ time.

Ford Makes An Appearance To Talk Evos

Give Ford credit for making the rounds on this one; they may not have actually sent their new Ford Evos out to the IFA show in Berlin, but they did send their Chief Technology Officer out to talk it up. And what he had to say about it was impressive enough in its own right.

Basically, what separates the Ford Evos from most other cars is not its fuel performance, but rather that it’s the first car to be “connected to the cloud”, or, have a continuous access to data storage. One of the key things about this cloud connection, or so Ford’s CTO Paul Mascarenas mentioned, is that it would learn your preferences and respond accordingly, almost like a car that has cookies.

For instance, in the Ford Evos, it might remember your favorite style of music, and access it when you drive. Or it may adjust the car’s performance according to your particular driving style, altering things like suspension and braking. It may even be able to go sufficiently far as to monitor your heart rate and temperature and then make adjustments in the car accordingly.

Personally, I find myself of two minds on this one. While I love a device that’s capable of performing multiple tasks at once, and this one definitely looks like the kind of Swiss Army device that makes me very happy, I can’t help but look at it and think that this is just more possibilities for things to go wrong. And when it comes to a car, losing one function is often enough to lose most of the others, including the all too important one of driving. And what happens when the car goes into the used market? Do you wipe the cloud clean and start afresh?

So what do you guys think about the Ford Evos? Sound like a good idea, or an invitation to trouble? No matter how you feel about this one, head on down to the comments section and let us know just what you think about it.

Frankfurt Auto Show: 2012 Honda Insight

Honda has releases photos and details for the 2012 Insight, which will debut the Frankfurt Motor Show.



The 2012 Honda Insight will feature a revised front end that will bring improved aerodynamics, including a new front grille and slightly revised lower air intakes in the lower corners. Honda says the rear spoiler has also been reduced in size, improving rear visibility.



The Insight also gets slightly better mileage and produces less carbon dioxide thanks to a few other adjustments. The engine is revised for less internal friction, and the air conditioning is also updated to help reduce the 2012 Honda Insight’s carbon footprint.



Fuel economy and emissions have also been improved by means of enhanced aerodynamics and powertrain efficiency. Revisions to the CVT and mill, the latter in the form of reduced engine friction, as well as alterations to the air conditioning system, which features a new cold storage system, all do their bit to contribute to lower fuel consumption, with CO2 levels now down to 96 g/km.



Inside, Honda is said to have "enhanced" the quality of the materials, though given the acres of hard plastic the company used on the 2012 Civic line, we'll be curious to learn what those upgrades may consist of.











Press Release



96 g/km* for the 2012 Honda Insight



The launch of the 2012 Honda Insight at Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) 2011 in September reaffirms Honda's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.



The 2012 Insight is now even more environmentally friendly producing just 96 g/km* of CO2. Fuel economy and emissions have been improved by means of enhanced aerodynamics and powertrain efficiency. Reduced engine friction , Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and better air conditioning, benefiting from a new cold storage system, all contribute to lower fuel consumption.



The Insight also receives a fresh exterior design including a new front grille. The slimmed tail spolier allows for a wider rear glass area, and combining this with a modified tail gate garnish and a reduction in the size of the wiper motor unit results in overall increased rear visibility.



Adjustments have been made to the engine and suspension for an overall improvement to ride comfort and stability. The features within the interior have also been enhanced for a superior quality.

Frankfurt debut: Lanica Flavia Cabrio

Lancia has releases new models for the Flavia Cabrio, which will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.



The Lancia Flavia Cabrio is powered by a 2.4 naturally aspirated engine, delivering 175 horsepower, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.



The production version has specific 18 inch rims, LED tail lights and a slightly different grille, but the rest of it is carried over from the 200, itself an evolution of the Chrysler Sebring.



The soft top roof opens and shuts mechanically and has apparently been designed to store away so that the car keeps its sleek lines when cruising with the top down.











Press Release



New Flavia Cabrio: four seats, four seasons



Following its critical and public success enjoyed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Lancia decided to produce the original Flavia Cabrio which enhances the stylistic features of the Italian manufacturer the Chrysler 200 model being launched on the European market.



The Lancia convertible is an interesting alternative for customers who want the benefits of a coupé without giving up the unique sensations that only an open-air car can offer. The new car indeed guarantees a fine driving experience unparalleled by any other in its segment, whether tackling the daily trip in town to go to the office or when taking to the splendid scenic roads out of town on week-ends.



In terms of length (4.9 metres), height (1.4 m) and width (1.8 m), the Lancia Flavia Cabrio is at the top of segment D, offering the ultimate in interior room - it can accommodate up to four adults - and on-board comfort with its generous 276-cm wheelbase.



Identifiable by an elegant and dynamic look, the new Flavia Cabrio has a sculpturesque front sporting the unprecedented grille with Lancia logo and the original front headlights and fog lights.

The surface of the side panel is extremely elegant and clean, in addition to being distinguished by a sleek line that lengthens the car and gives it dynamism and by elegant 18" alloy wheels.



The rear LED light cluster stylistically joined by a thin chrome-plated bar that further enhances the overall look contributes to accentuating its elegant design. This impression is further reinforced by the unusual twin chrome-plated tailpipe and by the sophisticated electrically-controlled soft top enclosed inside the hood cover, harmoniously built into the body with the third brake light at its base.



So if "elegance and dynamism" describe the exterior of the new Flavia Cabrio, the guidelines inside are refinement and innovation, in perfect tune with Italian style and the craftsmanship quality that has always distinguished Lancia cars. Aesthetic refinement that flows through the entire passenger compartment and wraps around driver and passengers in a warm, sophisticated "embrace" thanks to the painstaking selection of fine materials, the attention devoted to every minimum details and the adoption of advanced comfort, safety and driving pleasure features.



In short, the new Flavia Cabrio boasts a sophisticate surrounding that will without a doubt win over a customer who seeks exclusiveness, technology and Italian taste in a car. A new console has been created for him. It has elegant chrome-plated frames and a large central display; a brand new steering wheel wrapped in full-grain leather complete with built-in controls for managing radio, cruise control and mobile phone in total safety; and newly designed seats upholstered in fine leather, complete with practical "active" headrests.



Equipped with the brilliant 175 HP 2.4 litre petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the captivating Lancia Flavia Cabrio is offered in a single, exclusive version that is "all inclusive". As the name itself intimates, it offers a wealth of standard equipment, from the top quality leather upholstery, electronic stability control (ESC) and traction, latest-generation ABS and numerous airbags (front multi-stage, side and window bags) to the ISOFIX mountings for transporting children in complete safety, the innovative Uconnect® multimedia system complete with satellite navigation system, and the sophisticated "Boston Acoustic Sound System".