Ford Airstream

Infobox Automobile


name = Ford Airstream Concept
aka =
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
parent_company =
production = concept - tba
assembly =
predecessor =
successor =
class = Crossover SUV
body_style = 2-door wagon
layout =
platform =
engine = "HySeries" Fuel Cell Electric
transmission =
wheelbase = Auto in|125.9|0.
length = Auto in|185.0|0
width = Auto in|78.9|0
height = Auto in|70.6|0
ground_clearance =
front_track = Auto in|67.6|0
rear_track = Auto in|69.2|0
weight =
fuel_capacity =
related =
similar =
designer =

The Ford Airstream is a new concept car which made its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Ford Airstream is a retro-futuristic crossover SUV that was inspired by the classic Airstream recreational vehicle trailers built since the 1930s. The modern Ford Airstream concept includes a plug-in hybrid hydrogen fuel cell drive system, called "HySeries Drive", that operates exclusively on electrical power. Ford calls the Ford Airstream Concept "a futuristic look at crossovers" as "modern touring vehicle(s)" for recreational travelers. The concept vehicle was designed in cooperation with Airstream - a division of Thor Industries. [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/01/07/033225.html]

Powerplant

The concept vehicle is powered by a rechargeable plug-in hybrid hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain, called "HySeries Drive". This powerplant system was developed with partial funding from the United States Department of Energy, and is currently being tested on a prototype version of the Ford Edge. The Airstream Concept's wheels are driven by electric motors, which are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The Ballard Power Systems hydrogen fuel cell system recharges the vehicle's battery pack as needed, as a portable generator, and the vehicle can also be plugged in, to recharge between trips. The HySeries Drive delivers the equivalent of a combined city/highway equivalent fuel economy of 41 mpg (U.S.) (5.7 L/100 km). In pure-battery mode, the Ford Airstream Concept is designed to travel about convert|25|mi|km|0, before the hydrogen-powered fuel cell begins operating to recharge the vehicle's 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack. With a full load of hydrogen, the range increases another convert|280|mi|km|0, for a total of convert|305|mi|km|0. The sole exhaust emission from the operating vehicle is water vapor. [http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1530&press_subsection_id=421&make_id=92]

Exterior

The Ford Airstream includes asymmetric doors. The passenger side door is a power clamshell hatch that runs two-thirds the length of the vehicle for loading of passengers and cargo. The crossover includes a rear hatch for loading cargo aft.

Interior

The interior was inspired by spacecraft images and environments portrayed in according to Ford. It is described as a "lounge atmosphere" meant to provide a relaxing experience while traveling. The instrument panel includes flush-mounted, touch-sensitive controls and a single multi-function gauge display with primary driving information. A center-mounted dual-view screen provides a camera view and secondary driver-oriented information, and also allows the front-seat passenger to view DVD films and work on the internet.

The front seats are captain's chairs that can swivel and rotate to face aft. The rear seats are lounge-like, and includes a 360-degree viewscreen for entertainment, games, internet access, and as a live camera feed. The concept vehicle seats include 4-point safety belts.

pecifications

*Powertrain: Ford / Ballard HySeries Drive plug-in hydrogen hybrid fuel cell
*Chassis dimensions
**Overall length: Auto in|185.0|0.
**Wheelbase: Auto in|125.9|0.
**Overall width: Auto in|78.9|0.
**Overall height at curb: Auto in|70.6|0.
**Front track width: Auto in|67.6|0.
**Rear track width: Auto in|69.2|0.
*Suspension
**Front: Double wishbone independent suspension
**Rear: Multi-link independent
*Interior
**Front headroom: Auto in|37.5|0.
**Rear headroom: Auto in|36.2|0.
**Front legroom: Auto in|39.6|0.
**Rear headroom: Auto in|33.1|0.

External links and references

* [http://media.ford.com/products/press_article_display.cfm?article_id=25147&vehicle_id=1530 Official Ford Airstream press release package from Media.Ford.com]
* [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/01/07/033225.html TheAutoChannel.com coverage of the Ford Airstream at the NAIAS]
* [http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070107/BUSINESS03/701070559 Detroit Free Press article on the Ford Airstream concept]
* [http://www.airstream.com/ Airstream (div. of Thor Industries) web site]
* [http://www.ford.com/ Ford Motor Company web site]
* [http://media.ford.com Ford Media informational web site]