Ford leaks preview of the Evos concept before Frankfurt Auto Show 09/01/2011
Ford will be unveiling its plug-in hybrid concept car, the Evos, at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show next month. To whet the appetites of automotive enthusiasts, the American automaker recently released the first images of the new car.
"In terms of silhouette innovation, we want a car that has a different profile - very, very sleek," said J Mays, Ford's group vice president of design, during a presentation in Michigan, The New York Times reports. "We also want to have something we call perceived efficiency. That happens not only through the silhouette or the teardrop shape of the cabin, but it happens through the lines on the side of the car that are pulling toward the back and almost vanishing at some point 100 yards behind the car."
According to Green Car Reports, the Evos focuses on a few different areas of innovation - the electric powertrain, a personalized driving experience, and monitoring the driver's well-being. The concept car can "learn" a driver's schedule so it can pre-heat or cool down to ensure that the temperature is just right when the driver is ready to go. It also features technology that automatically silences cellphones and simplifies the displays to decrease the risk of distracted driving.
The engine in the Evos is the same that will be built into the 2013 C-Max Energi. CNN reports that the hybrid engine will have a possible range of around 500 miles. It uses gasoline to accomplish high-demand tasks, such as accelerating and tackling steep inclines, while the electric motors handle the other jobs. Most hybrid vehicles allow drivers to choose between gas and electric, but don't offer the option to use both at once.