Autoblog

Next Ford Mustang to ditch retro look in favor of futuristic Evos styling?

John Neff — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

Matt Ramsey from The Wall Street Journal claims that the next-generation Ford Mustang will be ditching its '60s-inspired retro styling. Citing people familiar with Ford's plans who have seen the new Mustang, Ramsey claims the new model will look more like the 2013 Fusion and be a dead ringer for the Evos concept car that debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall. The reason for abandoning the retro-inspired styling, says Ramsey, is Ford's desire to appeal to Generation Y consumers - people born between 1980 and 1999.

It may very well be the case that the next Mustang, which Ramsey says will be a 2014 model (we suspect it will be labeled a 2015), will look a lot like the Evos concept, but we don't buy some of the author's reasoning for why the Stang's retro look might be going away. He cites declining sales of certain retro-styled vehicles like the Volkswagen Beetle and Mustang itself, but having just experienced an economic recession, many models saw their sales decline during the past two years compared to prior peaks, not just ones with retro styling. In particular, he cites Volkswagen selling just 6,468 units of the New Beetle last year compared with over 81,000 in 2000, but last year was that generation's final year of sales. It has been replaced with the all-new-but-equally-retro 2012 Beetle, sales of which are up 2,722 percent so far in 2012.

And as for the Mustang, after enjoying a competition-free pony car market from 2002-2010, it's now sharing that segment's sales with worthy competition from both Chevrolet and Dodge. Its sales are certainly below their peaks from last decade, but again, a recession and new competition where there was none before will do that.

So while we have no reason to argue against Ramsey's claim about the next Mustang moving away from its retro roots, we're not sure we buy his evidence for the reason behind it.

Next Ford Mustang to ditch retro look in favor of futuristic Evos styling? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford set to double the amount of SYNC-controlled apps at CES

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, CES, Technology, Hatchback, Electric

For the fourth year in a row, Ford is going big at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and that includes the North American debut of the Evos concept, a new production car and even more SYNC-controlled apps.

Next week at CES, Ford will reveal the 2013 Ford Fusion, which is also set to bow halfway across the country at the Detroit Auto Show. Joining the Fusion will be the normal smattering of Mustangs and Focus sedans, hatchbacks and the all-new Electric, along with the Evos concept that debuted earlier this year. The Evos' presence is particularly important, as it outlines Ford's plan for a cloud-connected vehicle, and there's a chance we'll see those concepts evolved even further at CES.

Finally, Ford reps say they'll be doubling the amount of apps available through the automaker's SYNC infotainment system, so expect more streaming, more social and more connected apps to be available later this year.

Ford set to double the amount of SYNC-controlled apps at CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reimagines Santa's sleigh with Evos design, EcoBoost power

Chris Shunk — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Ford

Ever thought about how much CO2 is being emitted from Santa's reindeer? Neither have we, but Ford has. The folks at the Blue Oval figured out that Chris Kringle's road crew drops a knee-wobbling 214,670 tons of CO2 each year while delivering presents to 267 million homes.

Those are sobering statistics, so Ford decided to fight back with EcoBoost power. The Ford design team started with the Evos concept morphed into an imaginary Santa-worthy sled. Under the hood rests a 123-horsepower, 125 pound-foot 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine that reduces CO2 by 191,843 tons. This new sled is obviously good for the environment, but we're guessing the reindeer union is going to lose its lunch over this one.

Ford also interviewed Mrs. Claus for her thoughts on the new sled. Santa's significant other likes the boosted 1.0-liter and even pointed out that the new sled would afford The Big Guy extra time to reconsider the naughty list, meaning there's still a glimmer of hope for the MyFord Touch team.

Click above for a high-res image of Santa's turbo sled, and hit the jump to read how Ford came up with those fantastic numbers.

Continue reading Ford reimagines Santa's sleigh with Evos design, EcoBoost power

Ford reimagines Santa's sleigh with Evos design, EcoBoost power originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detailed: Evos Concept foretells Ford's future [w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Technology, Ford, Design/Style

In the past few years, Ford hasn't done too many high-style concepts. Most of its design studies have generally been previews of a future production model, with a few recent and distant exceptions. But the Ford Evos Concept stands apart.

Unveiled last evening and previewed here in Berlin, Germany ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Evos is the next step in the One Ford strategy, creating a new global styling language to go along with its new global architectures. Whereas the outgoing Kinetic design was a stylistic turning point for Ford, debuting in Europe and then slowly making its way to the States in the form of the Fiesta and Focus, the Evos is a clear picture of the future face of a global Ford. And while we won't see a production model based on this 2+2, Ford's head of design, J Mays, says we'll be seeing the first roadgoing example of this new styling not in four years, but in a scant four months.

Continue reading Detailed: Evos Concept foretells Ford's future [w/video]

Detailed: Evos Concept foretells Ford's future [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style, Electric

We now know what Ford is planning for the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The manufacturer has released a slew of photos and information on its new Evos Concept - a design study that will likely influence the look of the company's products in the near future. While we aren't likely to see many four-door gullwing hatchbacks in the Ford product line any time soon, chances are that the automaker's artists will roll in elements like smaller, more discreet headlamps, more vertical hexoganal grille and a sleek silhouette. According to Ford design guru J Mays, the new look is penned, "not to provoke, but to seduce."

The look is likely to command Ford design for the next five years or so, and you won't hear any complaints from us on that front. Inside, the Evos also hints toward what's coming down the pike in terms of interior design as well. With a driver-oriented instrument panel and an inverted 'L' climate system, Mays says that future Ford models will boast a more cockpit-like feel.

Befitting a true concept car, Ford says that the Evos is powered by the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain found in the C-Max Energi. That means that a set of lithium-ion batteries store and release electricity to allow the vehicle to operate primarily as an electric vehicle. Hit the jump for the press release and a video on the concept.

Continue reading Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video]

Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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