Concept CUVs point the way to the future
By The Kansas City Star
January 25, 2008
Car companies use the annual Detroit auto show to showcase concepts that hint at future products. This year's show, which runs through Sunday, features numerous vehicles with Space Age materials or alternative-fuel powerplants, and three concepts give us a glimpse of what future crossover utility vehicles may be like.
Lincoln is using its premium utility vehicle to showcase a body made from recycled plastic and Ford's EcoBoost V-6. The 3.5-liter, direct-injection engine uses twin turbochargers to deliver 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. It is capable of running on regular gasoline or E85 ethanol.
Ford said its EcoBoost engine delivers 20 percent better fuel economy. Ford's twin-turbo V-6 makes the power of a V-8 with the fuel efficiency of a V-6. A four-cylinder EcoBoost engine is also being developed.
A 340-horsepower production version of the V-6 shown in the concept will be introduced in next year's Lincoln MKS luxury sedan.
The MKT's stylish plastic body panels are made from resins derived from discarded soft-drink bottles and other polyester waste. Ford said the plastic body saves weight, improves fuel efficiency and helps to keep plastic bottles out of landfills.
"The Lincoln MKT concept offers the comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a full-size utility and the performance of a sporty roadster - executed with new technologies and materials that make it as environmentally friendly as it is elegant," said Mark Fields, who runs Ford's North and South American operations.
Peter Horbury, executive director of design, said the MKT was designed to be a Learjet for the road. The four seats have unprecedented legroom, he said, and rear-seat passengers can recline fully because footrests deploy from the front seats.
Cadillac's fuel cell concept builds on the GM's E-Flex propulsion system found in the Chevy Volt and Saturn Flextreme. The fifth generation of GM's fuel-cell system and a lithium-ion battery produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and whose only emission is water.
The Provoq would be able to drive 280 miles on a single fill-up of hydrogen and 20 miles on its battery. Hydrogen to feed the fuel cell, which generates electricity, is stored in a pair of fuel tanks under the cargo floor.
Electricity generated by the fuel cell drives the front wheels as well as electric motors in the hub of each rear wheel, giving the vehicle all-wheel traction. GM predicts the Provoq could accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds. The top speed would be 100 mph.
Additional vehicle features include a solar panel integrated into the roof to help power on-board accessories, brake-by-wire technology and front grille louvers that close at highway speed to improve aerodynamics and open at low speeds to cool the fuel cell stack.
"Cadillac, at its very essence, is about premium luxury, design and technology, so it's fitting that Cadillac would be propelled by the most elegant solution," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "This signals Cadillac's intent to lead the industry with alternative-fuel technology."
The ecoVoyager concept is an electric vehicle capable of driving 40 miles on a lithium-ion battery pack. It would accelerate to 60 mph in roughly eight seconds. A small hydrogen fuel cell would extend the vehicle's range to 300 miles for long trips. Chrysler said the propulsion system is located below the ecoVoyager's floor.
Regenerative braking also turns braking energy into electricity that is stored in the vehicle's battery.
"While the ecoVoyager's supple, flowing one-box shape is purposely designed to achieve aerodynamic efficiencies," said Greg Howell, principal exterior designer, "it also pushes the Chrysler design language in a new direction of elegant simplicity."
The space normally occupied by a conventional powertrain was not needed, and that drastically reduces the front overhang.
The vehicle has a panoramic roof bisected by a central spine and a dramatic boat tail back end. The shape of the windows, headlamps, tail lamps and grille was inspired by Chrysler's winged badge.
Chrysler also uses a private jet analogy to describe the comfort and style of this futuristic concept. The interior has four seats with exposed frames and under-seat storage bins. Front-seat armrests contain switches that control seat heating and massage as well as operating the windows.
A console between the rear seats can keep six 20-ounce bottles cold.
The instrument panel is a full-width display screen. The left and right outer ends of this screen contain the side-view mirror image, while a third camera image in front of the driver serves as the rearview mirror. A section of the screen in front of the passenger can display a movie.
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