American legacy automaker Ford has crafted many interesting idea motors over its illustrious 119-yr (and counting) history. Few are privy that Ford experimented with a rear-engined Mustang in 1967 referred to as the Mustang Mach 2 Concept, a layout-engineering observe of a Ford-Cobra-fashion vehicle. It made us consider what might have been if the idea were given the inexperienced mild for manufacturing, thinking about the prevailing sixth-gen S550 Mustang continues to be driving on a the front-engine architecture.
And then, we've the Ford GT90 idea, a mid-engine sports activities vehicle designed after a modified Jaguar XJ220 chassis. The GT90 idea debuted on the 1995 Detroit Auto Show to plenty acclaim, and it`s now no longer tough to look why. It has a fighter-jet-fashion glass cover and a quad-turbocharged 5.9-liter V12 engine with 720 horsepower, unfathomable numbers withinside the mid-90s. It additionally scoots like a rocketship, dashing from 0 to 60 mph in three.1 seconds and with a pinnacle velocity of 235 mph.
However, the Ford Airstream Concept that debuted in 2007 made a greater lasting impression. It first seemed on the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a mashup among iconic camper maker Airstream and Ford. It's basically an Airstream trailer with 4 wheels, however it hides a few brilliance below its funky unfashionable silhouette.
Ford Airstream Concept: Hydrogen for the masses
According to SAE International, Ford's Scientific Research Laboratory commenced paintings in overdue 1997 on growing a low-value hydrogen-fueled engine. It brought about the improvement of the Ford P2000 LSR in 1999, a "no-compromise" own circle of relatives sedan that achieves 60 mpg and will attain 420 miles on a unmarried complete tank of hydrogen. The engine is a 1.2-liter compression-ignition 4-cylinder mill with direct injection that generates seventy four horsepower (fifty five kW).
Moreover, Ford started out manufacturing of hydrogen-fueled V10 inner combustion engines in 2006, approximately a yr earlier than the Ford Aistream Concept made its maiden look on the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. The V10 ICE generators characteristic 6.eight liters of displacement and compelled induction through supercharging (consistent with Green Car Congress) to pump out 235 horsepower and 310 lb-toes of torque. Ford additionally made the Tri-Flex Fuel Truck Concept that yr, offering the identical 6.eight-liter hydrogen-fueled and supercharged V10 engine that runs on hydrogen, gasoline, and E85 ethanol mixture gas.
The Ford Airstream Concept isn't simply a exhibit of the automaker's learnings in hydrogen gas mobileular generation. It additionally previewed the upcoming reputation of the crossover over a humble sedan.
Crossovers are the destiny
According to Ford's 2007 press release, the Airstream idea spoke "to the destiny of crossovers," a brand new marketplace phase Ford anticipated to pinnacle three million devices through 2010. "Crossovers are an an increasing number of crucial a part of our business, and Ford goes to maintain growing an expressive variety of those motors," stated Peter Horbury, govt layout director of Ford (now vice-president of layout at Geely Auto). Fifteen years on, crossovers now make up 24.1% of the U.S. passenger vehicle marketplace, making it the most important phase withinside the U.S. vehiclemobile industry.
More than simply predicting the destiny, the Ford Airstream Concept is a 0-emissions battery-electric powered vehicle prepared with an modern HySeries Drive plug-in hydrogen gas mobileular powertrain (consistent with Ford Authority). It ought to tour 25 miles in natural electric powered mode earlier than the gas mobileular wakened and recharged the idea's 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack. It ought to move 280 miles on a complete tank of hydrogen, giving it a blended 305 miles of using variety.
Psychedelic styling
It's tough to disclaim that the Airstream Concept is likewise one of the maximum alluring Ford idea motors. It has an Airstream-like metallic frame protected in bespoke reflective paint to imitate the sheen of naked aluminum. It has uneven doors, which include a roof-hinged strength clamshell door at the passenger facet and a liftback rear end. There are diffused sun sunglasses of orange at the outdoors that pay homage to Chuck Yeager's orange Bell X-1 (consistent with Car and Driver), the primary plane to interrupt the sound barrier.
Inside, the Airstream Concept has a Lipstick Red and white indoors that could make Austin Powers beam with pride. The pod-fashioned the front seats can swivel to stand rearwards, at the same time as the lounge-like rear chairs are extraordinary for on-street parties, no much less stronger through a cylindrical LED display screen that might mission DVD movies (heard of those?) or digital lights effects.
So far, the basis of smooth hydrogen generation is at a crossroads, however there may be wish at the horizon. Ford filed new patents for a hydrogen-fueled inner combustion engine in March 2022, even though it may take some time earlier than the patent turns into a reality. Toyota is operating on comparable generation with Yamaha in growing a hydrogen-powered ICE V8 engine. We're hoping Ford will resurrect the Airstream Concept while the generation turns into possible very soon — now no longer for the smooth tech itself, however for the way it conjures up recollections of a wonderful and nearly forgotten past.
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