Ford Motor Company today unveiled its vision for a sleeker, sportier and more stylish compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The Ford Vertrek concept previews the company’s ambition for a next-generation, global compact SUV that could lead the industry in both design and fuel efficiency.
The Ford Vertrek concept is based on Ford’s global C-segment platform, which includes the all-new Ford Focus range launching early in 2011 in North America and Europe, plus the latest C-MAX and Grand C-MAX multi-activity vehicles. It represents the vision of the company’s top design and engineering talent on how best to attract and satisfy future sport utility vehicle customers around the world.
“Vertrek concept is a no-compromise solution we feel utility vehicle customers will embrace around the world,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development.
“It is a revolution compared to what is typically seen in this segment in North America and is a stylish evolution compared with products outside North America. This new design is sleeker and more fuel efficient and delivers the capability, including people and cargo volume, customers demand globally.”
The Ford Vertrek concept combines the best of Ford’s distinctive European kinetic design styling and driving quality with outstanding levels of cargo space, trailer-tow and off-road capability for North America, promising a vehicle that meets the needs of next-generation compact utility vehicle customers around the world.
The sleek appearance of the Ford Vertrek concept has been honed aerodynamically to help support the program target of class-leading fuel economy and low CO2 emissions and complement the high-tech powertrain solutions Ford envisions.
Ford preliminary data show that a production vehicle based around the Vertrek concept would be at least 5 per cent more aerodynamically efficient than current comparable Ford North American and European models, such as the Escape and Ford Kuga.
Global solution for global needs
Ford’s global C-segment platform allows for the efficient creation of vehicles that address consumer tastes around the world.
“There is a real convergence of demand from the world’s key regions for a compact sport utility vehicle like the Ford Vertrek that is great to drive and great to look at with engaging technology and outstanding fuel economy,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “With Vertrek, we have a concept that brings to life all those attributes for compact utility vehicle customers, no matter where they live.”
At least 10 new models will be built on the new global C-segment platform, which replaces three platforms currently in production regionally.
By 2012, the new platform will account for more than 2 million units of sales, providing Ford with unprecedented economies of scale and an opportunity to offer customers around the world an array of new technologies and product features usually reserved for premium vehicles.
The compact sport utility vehicle segment is one of the largest (consistently in the top five), most competitive and fastest growing segments – more than doubling in market share since 2000– in the U.S. It also ranks among the top four most cross-shopped segments in the U.S. In Canada, this segment nearly tripled its market share since 2000. It is a segment that Ford helped pioneer with the popular Escape model.
Growth in Europe of crossover products, similar to the compact sport utility vehicle segment in North America, has been astounding – up more than 200 per cent since 2000. The Ford Kuga has consistently ranked third in its segment, in which all major manufacturers compete, since its launch in 2008. Nearly 70 per cent of Kuga customers opt for the high series.
Globally, the compact SUV segment has shown growth since 2009, led by China and North America. The market in China is projected to increase 60 per cent by 2011 compared with 2009.
“This segment is uniquely diversified across the globe,” said Farley. “In the U.S. these are considered small cars, while in Europe and other markets they are considered midsize cars. No matter how you classify it, the segment is vitally important and only those manufacturers who demonstrate leadership in design, customer-focused technology, capability and fuel-efficient performance will succeed.”
Kinetic design taken to the next level
The sporty, sleek Ford Vertrek concept builds on Ford’s global kinetic design philosophy. This distinctive and continually evolving design language is rooted in creating cars that appear to be in motion even when stationary, while at the same time communicating the engaging driving experience that Ford cars deliver.
The starting point is creating an athletic stance for the vehicle, almost like a runner in starting blocks poised and ready to burst forward. Other key elements include dynamic lines and taut surfacing, again conveying muscularity and athleticism.
Vertrek concept builds on these kinetic design fundamentals, underscoring its on-road characteristics and off-road capability.
“The Ford Vertrek concept is inspired by contemporary compact sport utility customers’ expectations and aspirations,” said J Mays, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer. “It unites stylish design, world-class craftsmanship and outstanding capability to present a fresh vision that we believe will resonate globally.”
High-tech gasoline and diesel powertrain solutions
The Ford Vertrek concept shows how the vision of a next-generation, fuel-efficient compact SUV could become reality by extending the reach of the company’s growing EcoBoost™ engine and advanced turbo diesel common-rail direct-injection (TDCi) engine families while introducing Ford Auto-Start-Stop technology.
EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford’s strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver uncompromised performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver fuel economy gains of up to 20 per cent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 per cent, compared with larger, less-efficient engines.
In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, Ford powertrain engineers have enhanced EcoBoost’s technology capabilities by adding variable valve timing and precisely controlling all aspects of the engine. Ford has at least 125 patents on its EcoBoost technology.
Ford Vertrek concept features the highly efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine, giving the vehicle the power of a larger engine yet delivering significantly better fuel economy and CO2 emissions. By 2013, 80 per cent of Ford’s global nameplates and 90 per cent of Ford’s North American nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.
Advanced diesel engines
Outside the U.S. and Canada, Ford also offers customers a wide range of efficient and powerful Duratorq® TDCi engines, many of which could be applied to a future production model based on the Vertrek concept. Advanced diesel technology is especially vital in Europe – 96 per cent of Kugas sold are diesel-powered.
The acclaimed 2.0-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi engine has recently been upgraded to deliver even higher efficiency with improved performance, fuel economy and refinement.
A more efficient combustion system enables greater peak power, significantly improved driveability with increased responsiveness and more pulling power at low engine speeds. It also delivers reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Depending on application, CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 7 per cent compared to the previous 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine.
Paired with the engine will be a fuel-saving six-speed transmission. By 2013, 100 per cent of Ford vehicles in the U.S. will incorporate a six-speed transmission as part of the company’s commitment to leadership in fuel-economy performance in all vehicle segments.
Automatic shutdown of engine saves fuel
Another key enabler of enhanced fuel efficiency is the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system. This system automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at idle – at a stoplight, for example – and quickly restarts the engine when the driver wants to move off.
An Auto-Start-Stop system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5 per cent in mixed driving conditions. In city driving and in heavy traffic with frequent stops, the savings could increase to as much as 10 per cent.
The advanced new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system has been carefully designed with customer comfort in mind, providing consistent starting and stopping performance that is smooth, quiet and seamless, requiring no changes in driver behaviour. When the engine shuts down, the electronic control unit immediately prepares the engine’s systems for an instant restart. An integrated system of sensors is then used to detect when the driver performs an action that signals the intent to drive off, such as pressing the accelerator or clutch pedal.
As soon as the driver prepares to move away, the engine starts quietly and almost instantly; it takes the system only around 0.3 second to fire up the engine. The process is near imperceptible and happens before gear selection is completed. To support the increased number of engine starts, the starter motor is upgraded with a high-performance electric motor and a stronger pinion-engagement mechanism with reduced noise levels.
Smart Regenerative Charging
Advanced battery technology is required to ensure the main vehicle battery copes with the frequent charge-discharge cycles common with start-stop operation. Additional technologies ensure the battery is kept charged in the most efficient way.
A Smart Regenerative Charging system increases the alternator output when the vehicle brakes or decelerates. This converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy without using additional fuel. The “free” electric current is used to recharge the battery, so it can be used by the electrical systems at a later stage. This could be when the engine is switched off during a stop phase but also can be when the generator is operating in a less-efficient mode.
The battery has an advanced management system that continually monitors its status and communicates with the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, so that the regenerative charging feature can charge the battery in the optimal way. The Auto-Start-Stop system knows how much battery charge is available, so that it can leave the engine running if the battery does not have a sufficient level of charge.
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