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 doesn?t just open down like a tailgate, but left and right too.

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