If this doesn’t stoke the fire of media bullrings huddling about the next-generation 2015 Mustang, nothing else will. Ford has pulled cover on a new concept car that will debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in a couple weeks.
Ford says the Evos Concept car represents the new global design language, and explores key future power train and vehicle technologies. Calling it a “fastback”, Ford is showing the car in Germany this fall to showcase the next wave of Ford’s design themes. And we think it says a lot about what the next Mustang due in 2014 will look like.
“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.
Like the Ford Mustang Guigiaro Concept in 2006, what may come from this exercise down the road may not at all be the same. But like the Guigiaro Concept, it signals Ford’s global product development team’s efforts to blend American and European design into future products we will all share.
As the next Mustang is being designed largely in Cologne, the design for it and other Ford products taking design cues from this concept will be truly global. The new design DNA shown in the Evos provides the company’s worldwide design teams with a common framework to guide the creation of new products.
“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.”
What makes this concept so easy to associate with the Mustang is its fastback shape and muscle car stance. Though this car is actually a four-door gull-wing, it looks strikingly like a sport coupe. The lines even mirror some vintage Ferrari Daytona in addition to American muscle.
“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 create 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 177 inches long, 77 inches wide and 53 inches high, with a wheelbase of 108 inches. The dimensions put it about 10 inches shorter than the current Mustang, a couple inches lower, and a few inches wider – almost exactly where we all know the size is headed.
