Fording into the future

Say hello to your next Ford. OK, so it won't look exactly like this, but soak it all in because the latest Blue Oval concept making its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show next week is the ultimate expression of Ford's new global design language. Meaning, well, say hello to your next Ford.

The Ford Evos concept doesn't just explore what future Fords will look like, but also dabbles with some key upcoming powertrain technologies. Right now it's a one-off, sure, but the Evos is more than just a design-led exercise to woo the crowds in Frankfurt. Here's the gist of it: when you buy a Ford in the future, you'll be buying more than just a transportation device. You're buying a personalised experience. That sounds corny, but Dearborn actually aimsto make its cars more likeobjects increasingly familiar to the 21st century man or woman — a smartphone.

Ford wants more driver interaction, connectivity and information to play a part in its cars, so think of future Fords as rolling iPhones.

"At Ford, the future of technology in the car will be defined by the experience that it delivers to the driver and passengers," says Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. "We see technology as more than just an impressive list of microprocessors, sensors and software; it's about the application of that technology to create an experience that enhances the driver's time behind the wheel. The possibilities are fascinating when we explore how to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and car linked by access to the driver's personal information," Mascarenas adds.

See? Your car will soon become your personal digital friend, and if there's one company that can pull it off, it's Sync-crazy Ford.

The carmaker's vision is one where the vehicle provides its driver with the same kind of environment as his home or office. That doesn't mean it comes equipped with a toilet bowl or a toaster, but it means that the Ford Evos concept possesses electronic trickery that you're used to in your laptop or mobile. It's all about personalisation, whether you're talking handling, engine controls or receiving data like your work schedule and local traffic or weather conditions. Think of it as a smartphone app with wheels.

For example, Ford says the Evos could automatically play the same music that was streaming at home before you left, or wirelessly communicate with all your gadgets in the office to switch off the lights and your computer as you pull away from the car park.

And, it's not just the digital generation that benefits, but the old-school petrolhead too, since the Evos can retune its handling and performance to match the road it identifies ahead, as well as of course the type of driver behind the wheel. Then the car automatically adjusts the powertrain, steering, suspension and braking for either flat-out motoring, or serene cruising. It's adaptive damping, turned up to 11. Of course it would all be hogwash if it didn't pack an eco-conscious drivetrain, which is why Ford fitted the Evos with a lithium-ion plug-in hybrid powertrain that allows the petrol engine and electric motor to work together or separately for maximum efficiency. Most of the time you'll be whirring around in EV mode, until you put foot and summon the cavalry.

Speaking of which, we've no idea about the system horsepower, but Ford has divulged information on the Evos' claimed range of over 800km.

It all sounds very exciting, especially now that we've just got around to the baffling notion of smartphones. Plus, if Ford goes further to give its future car the ability to wirelessly flush and put the toilet seat down after you've left the house, everyone's a winner.