Detroit Auto Show: Ford Fairlane Concept
The Fairlane is what the biz likes to call a "segment-buster." At least that's what Ford is hoping. In the press release there's mention of the "busting" that is likely to happen when this upscale crossover vehicle hits the scene. Supposedly the inside space is set-up like a minivan while the outside looks positively Land Rover-ish. I'm not quite sure what the "rolling galley" is but if Ford can actually make a minivan look this good they might be on to something. J Mays calls it a "people mover with presence," who comes up with these lines for the execs anyway? Seriously though, the Fairlane could have been horribly done but I like the idea of masking a true minivan interior in an SUV shell. More pictures inside.
The Fairlane interior has three zones that include the use of materials like maple bentwood, Lloyd Loom woven rattan made from recycled paper (?) and durable woven canvas that separate each row by job description.
These are no longer called suicide doors but French-opening doors. When the rear doors are opened, the powered armrests on the second row seats automatically retract downward to allow for better maneuverability.
Ford calls this design upright, clean and uncluttered.
The rear door has a flip down utility area complete with a refrigerator, cutting surface and utensils. The door doesnt just open down like a tailgate, but left and right too.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
motech 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
dam thats one good looking ugly car
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tony 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Oh Boy another stupid crossover thing ! Keep em coming ,we cant have to many and kill another good ford nameplate while you are at it !
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Krubster 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Whoa! Where'd this come from? I'm intrigued.
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Jason 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
As a minivan I think it is cool. It would do really well as long as they don't get sued by Land Rover.
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Tim 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Kind of reminds me of a Chevy Astro, but with a flat hood, as opposed to the 45deg hood on the chevy, amazing how big a difference that can make.
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Richard Bae 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
it's like the designers were thinking land rover from bottom to around the belt line or so and then started looking at the mini.
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Zeke 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I feel like this (as well as many recent Fords) is missing some more delicate detailing to break up the broad plain-ness of the surfaces. Good idea though.
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Brad Barnett 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Who's naming concepts at Ford? First the Sinus, now they disrespect the Fairland badge by putting it on this thing.
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Alex Lau 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Frim the front and sides it looks like a Scion xB.
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Patrick 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Jason: Ford owns Land Rover; I don't think they would sue themselves
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Geoff 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I think Richard Bae's hit the nail on the head there. And by the way, that should be "Freedom-opening" doors...
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Jason 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I can't believe they would call that thing a Fairlane. I thought Chevy was way off base when they come out with another Malibu. This takes the cake by far
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ottav 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Considering the success Ford has had with their conventional minivans, they might as well build this instead.
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Rick 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
dont kill the Fairlane name that was brought up in the fifties and held strong until the early seventies
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Rob 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Very-2 good looking crossover vehicle. If would come in production, I will buy it.
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Ray Flower 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I like this look, at least from the picture, how the actual vehicle would look (probably no suicide doors), who knows. But I really am a toyota dude.
The price would be a concern as well, I'm not into paying 30 grand for any car. 20 grand is the most I'll pay for any car. So this would probably be out of my price range, of what I'm willing to spend on any car.
But I do dig the look, crisp and clean.
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Nolan Burchfield 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
This is horrible. Why would they name it Fairlane? Fairlane was a CAR, not an SUV! They should reintroduce the Fairlane as a car, and not this trash.
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Pedro 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Fairlane IS a car!!! I have an 67" model. This trash is a Rover. The people who named this, should read the Ford History. Keep out yours asses of your chairs!!! Go to GM
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