Ford Vertrek Concept Previews a Sleeker, Sportier and More Stylish Compact Sport Utility Vehicle

SHANGHAI, China, 19 Apr., 2011 – Ford's vision for a sleeker, sportier and more stylish compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) makes its Asian debut at Auto Shanghai 2011. 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 Vertrek concept is based on Ford’s global C-segment platform, which includes the all-new Ford Focus range that will go into production in China in 2012. 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 Frank Davis, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “This concept supports the idea of a ‘grab your gear and go’ capability, but does it in a very sophisticated way. It blends capability and great design and craftsmanship.”

 

The Ford Vertrek concept combines the best of Ford’s kinetic design styling and driving quality with outstanding levels of cargo space, trailer towing and off-road capability, promising a vehicle that meets the needs of next-generation compact crossover customers around the world.

 

The sleek appearance of the Ford Vertrek concept has been honed aerodynamically to help support the programme target of class-leading fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions and to complement the high-tech powertrain solutions Ford envisions.

 

Ford’s global C-segment platform allows for the efficient creation of vehicles that address consumer tastes around the world.

 

“In markets around the world, consumers are very clear about what they want in a compact SUV: strong design, great driving quality, smart technology and the capability to help get them to places they love to be,” explained Davis. “And this holds true no matter where they live – in the U.S., Europe, China – these are global trends.”

 

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 global compact SUV segment has shown growth since 2009, led by China and the U.S. The market in China is projected to increase 60 percent by 2011 compared with 2009.

 

The sporty and sleek 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.

 

“The Ford Vertrek concept is inspired by contemporary compact sport utility customers’ expectations and aspirations,” said Martin Smith, executive director, Design, Ford of Europe. “It unites stylish design, world-class craftsmanship and outstanding capability to present a fresh vision that we believe will resonate globally.”

 

The exterior colour is Liquid Platinum, chosen to bring out the strong sculpturing of Vertrek while stressing the sophistication and premium execution of the vehicle’s personality.

 

The Vertrek concept interior is lightweight and spacious and conveys all the expressive flair evident in the exterior. 

 

As the focal point of the interior, the instrument panel displays shapes and forms that are absolutely unique, and further demonstrates Ford’s kinetic design language. The wing-like profile spans the cockpit and extends through the side glass into the rear view camera. The center console swoops into the interior, forming a central bridge that flows through the vehicle.

 

The theme of sophisticated craftsmanship is evident throughout the interior, including the instrument panel wrapped in Dusk Gray leather, contrasted and cooled by the satin-tinted platinum tones of the center console. The fluorescent detailing comes as a surprising highlight.

 

The execution of the four individual seats communicates sportiness and relaxation. The slim seats are clad in naturally tanned, velour leather, offset throughout the interior by the modernistic touch of neon red-orange fluorescent highlights – an intriguing combination of traditional and high-tech.

 

Replacing conventional carpet, Vertrek concept incorporates handcrafted woven-leather floor materials. Functional elements on the steering wheel, doors, cluster and instrument panel have a polished, premium finish that demonstrates craftsmanship normally seen on premium products.

 

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 percent and reduction of CO₂ emissions of up to 15 percent, 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 lower CO₂ emissions. By 2013, 80 percent of Ford’s global nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.

 

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 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 percent in mixed driving conditions. In city driving and in heavy traffic with frequent stops, the savings could increase to as much as 10 percent.

 

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 nearly 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.

 

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 most 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.

 

Ford’s global data shows that compact SUV customers increasingly use their vehicles for weekend getaways, making improved highway fuel economy a must. This highlights the importance of the aerodynamic design of the Vertrek concept, and led to the inclusion of an accessible, small-displacement internal combustion engine in the vehicle rather than a hybrid or electric powerplant that might be more attuned to city dwellers.

 

“Increased fuel economy, especially outstanding highway fuel economy, is what these customers want because they are active on the weekend, taking trips and seeking new experiences,” Davis said. “They want their vehicle to look good, drive well and use less fuel.”