Ford Fraction SUV concept

THE FORD FACTION MINI SUV

Ford appears to be leaving no stone unturned in its attempt to cover all the SUV bases, this time its the Spectrum with the Faction mini SUV. It plays upon design chief J Mays' continuing fascination with style influences from outside the automotive arena, in this case cutting-edge European furniture. The Faction is an all wheel drive SUV, smaller than Ford's Escape that is aimed more at urban warriors rather than traditional off roaders. To facilitate the parking process in the urban jungle, the Faction features City Eye, a fully integrated rear view camera system. Some of the innovative design of the Faction can be expected to make their way to upcoming Ford SUV's both domestically and abroad Ford Faction concept made 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, and multimedia features, plus a refined interior for American urbanites that 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 like inner citys. When parking becomes a precision sport, the Faction concept can be squeezed into the tightest spots with the help of the City Eye, a camera system that provides a view of the area directly behind the vehicle. So hopefully this ''should'' reduce those car park dents?
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, It's a refined product in much the same way as a nice watch or a piece of designer furniture. And that's why it was showed 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. 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, cup holder, 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. 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. 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. 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.
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 drivability. It also features the refinement of a dual mass flywheel, 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.

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