Automotive

Ford's diesel-electric hybrid Reflex Concept features solar panelling

Ford's diesel-electric hybrid Reflex Concept features solar panelling
View 33 Images
The Ford Reflex concept showcases exposed low-voltage circuitry on the roof glass and rear hatch.
1/33
The Ford Reflex concept showcases exposed low-voltage circuitry on the roof glass and rear hatch.
The reverse butterfly doors offer easy ingress and egress to front and rear seats.
2/33
The reverse butterfly doors offer easy ingress and egress to front and rear seats.
3/33
The solar panelling on the roof is clearly visible from above
4/33
The solar panelling on the roof is clearly visible from above
The solar panelling on the roof is clearly visible from above
5/33
The solar panelling on the roof is clearly visible from above
The diesel-electric hybrid Ford Reflex concept combines performance and economy, delivering 65 mpg
6/33
The diesel-electric hybrid Ford Reflex concept combines performance and economy, delivering 65 mpg
The front bumper is functional too, being made of hand-polished, high strength aluminium
7/33
The front bumper is functional too, being made of hand-polished, high strength aluminium
8/33
Shift paddles that control the 6-speed semiautomatic transmission are tucked behind the steering wheel, while the touch-screen center console helps reduce driver distraction.
9/33
Shift paddles that control the 6-speed semiautomatic transmission are tucked behind the steering wheel, while the touch-screen center console helps reduce driver distraction.
10/33
The interior of the Ford Reflex concept features lightweight inner seat frames wrapped in mesh. The white mesh fabric is offset with warm red carpeting.
11/33
The interior of the Ford Reflex concept features lightweight inner seat frames wrapped in mesh. The white mesh fabric is offset with warm red carpeting.
There's a baby cam for monitoring the integrated baby seat and its cargo from the front seat
12/33
There's a baby cam for monitoring the integrated baby seat and its cargo from the front seat
The roof also features self-powered solar fans that cool the car when parked.
13/33
The roof also features self-powered solar fans that cool the car when parked.
The North American market for small vehicles will grow 5 percent per year through 2008 to reach more than one-third of all cars sold.
14/33
The North American market for small vehicles will grow 5 percent per year through 2008 to reach more than one-third of all cars sold.
Innovative solar panels in the Ford Reflex headlamps capture and use the sun's power to recharge the hybrid-electric battery pack while also providing power for the headlamps at night.
15/33
Innovative solar panels in the Ford Reflex headlamps capture and use the sun's power to recharge the hybrid-electric battery pack while also providing power for the headlamps at night.
The vehicle's low-voltage circuitry is exposed beneath the glass roof and rear hatch, giving a clever nod to accessible technology – even as a fashion statement.
16/33
The vehicle's low-voltage circuitry is exposed beneath the glass roof and rear hatch, giving a clever nod to accessible technology – even as a fashion statement.
Reverse butterfly doors provide easy ingress and egress for the Ford Reflex concept.
17/33
Reverse butterfly doors provide easy ingress and egress for the Ford Reflex concept.
The innovative rear seat design can fit two children, one adult or a baby with the attachable, integrated baby seat
18/33
The innovative rear seat design can fit two children, one adult or a baby with the attachable, integrated baby seat
The interior of the Ford Reflex concept features lightweight inner seat frames wrapped in mesh.
19/33
The interior of the Ford Reflex concept features lightweight inner seat frames wrapped in mesh.
20/33
The white mesh fabric is offset with warm red carpeting.
21/33
The white mesh fabric is offset with warm red carpeting.
22/33
23/33
24/33
The Ford Reflex concept features solar panels in the headlamps and taillamps that recharge the hybrid-electric battery pack, and solar panels in the roof that power electric fans to cool the interior while the vehicle is parked.
25/33
The Ford Reflex concept features solar panels in the headlamps and taillamps that recharge the hybrid-electric battery pack, and solar panels in the roof that power electric fans to cool the interior while the vehicle is parked.
26/33
27/33
28/33
29/33
Ford’s experimental inflatable safety belts provide a broader contact area with the potential to spread impact forces across the chest, further reducing the chances of injury. The small, tubular-shaped inflatable bag deploys inside the shoulder belt in th
30/33
Ford’s experimental inflatable safety belts provide a broader contact area with the potential to spread impact forces across the chest, further reducing the chances of injury. The small, tubular-shaped inflatable bag deploys inside the shoulder belt in th
31/33
32/33
33/33
View gallery - 33 images

January 8, 2006 Concept cars are designed to showcase technological capability and to test market opinion. As such, the Ford Reflex concept car shown to the media for the first time today scores maximum points on both counts. The subcompact-sized Reflex is a technological showcase with its advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine, a liberal sprinkling of solar panels and advanced safety features as inflatable safety belts. More importantly, the advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine and new-generation lithium-ion batteries help deliver up to 65 miles per gallon, offering guilt free performance.

January 8, 2006 Concept cars are designed to showcase technological capability and to test market opinion. As such, the Ford Reflex concept car shown to the media for the first time today scores maximum points on both counts. The subcompact-sized Reflex is a technological showcase with its advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine, a liberal sprinkling of solar panels and such advanced safety features as inflatable safety belts. More importantly, the advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine and new-generation lithium-ion batteries help deliver up to 65 miles per gallon, offering guilt free performance.

"From consumer electronics to urban dwellings, small is becoming big in America," says Peter Horbury, executive director, North American Design. "The bold and innovative design of Reflex stretches the traditional boundaries of a subcompact car. Reflex delivers the fuel economy and flexibility that Americans have come to expect."

"Ford Reflex is a small car that doesn't feel small," says Freeman Thomas, director, North American Strategic Design. "It is a gorgeous sporty car that delivers guilt free performance with a hybrid engine. And thanks to its innovative approach to the interior, it has space for growing families."

Reflex is set off with Ford's three-bar grille – made of high-strength anodized extruded aluminum, which is hand polished to a matte finish. The concept's shoulder line flows upward to the B-pillar and back down into the wheel arch. Reverse butterfly doors aid vehicle ingress and egress.

The vehicle's low-voltage circuitry is exposed beneath the glass roof and rear hatch, giving a clever nod to accessible technology – even as a fashion statement. The roof also features self-powered solar fans that cool the car when parked.

Reflex's aggressive 20-inch wheels are polished alloy. The large diameter, narrow width and unique Michelin tire design provide low-roll resistance for improved fuel economy.

Lightweight, space-efficient materials define the interior with its innovative 2+1 backseat configuration. Mesh seat covers are transparent and sheer, offering maximum airflow for comfort and style. Unexpected colors – red and robotic white – create a sense of warmth and accessibility.

The cockpit comes alive with keyless activation. At the touch of a button, the instrument cluster controls appear in a cool blue hue as organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) switch on.

Located in the center console, touch-screen technology helps reduce driver distraction. Shift paddles that control the 6-speed semiautomatic transmission are tucked behind the steering wheel.

"The interior of Reflex is modern, with no wood and leather," says Thomas. "The color and materials challenge many of today's dark plastic interiors by offering a blend of warm and cool colors. It is a fresh approach that will inspire future trends in many industries, including fashion and home furnishings."

The back seat offers the ultimate in small-car flexibility. A second-row "love seat" can accommodate two children or one adult. With a push of a button, a divider bar raises through the seat bottom, transforming one seat into two.

Rear-seat passengers also have the luxury of watching their favorite movie on two small flat-screen monitors mounted to the lower portion of the front seatbacks. Like the front seats, the rear seats feature mesh wrapped around a lightweight inner frame.

Reflex takes safety innovation a major step forward. Advanced safety technologies include inflatable safety belts and BeltMinder™ for backseat passengers. The inflatable safety belt helps reduce injury risk to second-row occupants. Ford's patented BeltMinder™ technology alerts the driver when second-row occupants are not buckled up.

Reflex also is equipped with side air curtains. The love seat is fitted with an integrated rear-facing child safety seat. Understanding that the responsibilities of a parent don't end once the car starts, Reflex designers added a strategically placed "baby cam" in the headliner. From this vantage point, the driver can see streaming video images of the rear-seat occupants.

Reflex features an advanced diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that harnesses diesel, electric and solar power. This combination of power can deliver maximum fuel economy – up to 65 mpg – without compromising performance.

The concept features an electric motor on the rear axle in addition to the hybrid propulsion system on the front axle. The rear motor provides all-wheel-drive capability, improved driving dynamics and the fuel economy benefits of a full hybrid vehicle.

Reflex's energy is stored in a new-generation lithium-ion battery pack, using the same technology found in cell phones. Ford was the first manufacturer to produce an electric vehicle using this type of battery system when it introduced the electric Ford Ka research vehicle in 2000. Also contributing to Reflex's power and performance are unique headlamps and taillamps that integrate solar panels. The Ford-patented battery-charging lighting system improves fuel economy by using the sun's power to charge the on-board batteries, while capturing and reusing the daylight at night.

Reflex also uses ground rubber from scrap athletic shoes, called Nike Grind, as insulation to reduce noise and vibration in the car's interior.

View gallery - 33 images
No comments
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!