2003 Ford Visos Concept
A Vision of the Future?
In recent times Ford has concentrated on bringing together its Living Legends range of production and concept cars in celebration of its 100th Anniversary. One hundred years of history has been melded into recent reincarnations of the Thunderbird roadster, 60s Mustang pony car and Le Mans winning GT-40, among others.
However, where the upcoming GT-40 substitute, simply dubbed GT, reminisces about wild top speeds, international race circuits and the checkered flag, Fords latest Visos concept projects a different agenda for the time honored brand. Combining high-performance excitement with long distance comfort, the Visos is a car that not only represents the future of Ford, but how they plan on getting there.
With thick black outlines around the cars LED headlamps, a thin, mesh grille and smoothly integrated bumpers, the Visos gives the brands new edge styling a show car twist. From the front quarter, the Visos appears to be a two door coupe, however moving along the sides reveals that its more of an extended hatchback.
The effect is most present from the rear. Broad shoulders cleanly cut from the side merge with the tapered cockpit, housing two sets of C-shaped LED brake lights. The angled rear fascia integrates into the rear bumper accented by mesh and stainless exhaust tips. Surprisingly, part of the Visos inspiration comes from the affordable yet legendary Capri - the original mid-70s and early 80s era car, not the awkward Australian-made convertible that reared its ugly head in the late 80s and died none too soon in the early 90s. Many details, particularly the two simple side vents, the sloping rear C-pillar plus the interior-mounted B-pillar are each pinched from the earlier Capri, but nevertheless have been integrated into the Visos design cleanly.
Strangely, unlike many other concepts displayed at this years Frankfurt show, the Visos does not feature side view mirrors. To maintain safety and extra visibility, Ford has opted to incorporate cameras at key points throughout the body. Once the car is started, retractable cameras rise from the Visos door, capturing and displaying real time video. Aside from the doors, the Visos also features two cameras mounted in the third brake light for direct rearward vision. Though these cameras cover a significant area behind the car, they cannot access the cars blind spots. The solution: a separate monitoring system directly warns the driver of vehicles or objects that otherwise might go undetected. If you can still scratch the Visos while parking, just do everyone a favor and turn in your license.
Under the Visos bulging hood is an unconventional power unit. Theres no big block pushrod V8 with rumbling exhaust or rev-happy 4-cylinder. Rather, the Visos uses a high-tech diesel engine. At three liters in displacement the cubic inch count may seem small, but with common rail technology thats assisted by a high-pressure turbocharger, the engine output surprises. With 350 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of maximum torque the Visos is more like a modern-age diesel muscle car than a luxury tourer!
In order to optimize the power, Ford has chosen to adapt a 6-speed sequential shifting transmission that splits power to all four wheels. Filling up the cars wheel wells are a set of 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in custom Continental high-performance tires.
As the Visos is designed to be both a sports car and a luxurious long distance cruiser, Ford paid particular attention to ensure that passengers are comfortable for any length of journey. The interior setup is simple yet effective, featuring four individual buckets split by a center console that runs the entire length of the cockpit. Controls for the stereo, navigation, and HVAC system are mounted here, all within convenient reach of driver and passengers.
The front passenger in particular is treated to rather luxurious accommodations. At the push of a button, the seat reclines extending an adjustable footrest. Meanwhile, the driver of the Visos is faced with a minimalist navy, gray cockpit featuring milled aluminum accents on the pedals, door pulls, steering wheel and console. Three metal-trimmed 3-D style gauges clearly display all relevant information to the driver, with little fuss.
Aside from being fast and comfortable, the Visos moves a step ahead by providing an active interior and chassis. A what? With two modes, sport and comfort, the Visos prepares either for racy or relaxed driving at the touch of a button, heightening or lowering the suspension. For the former, front and tail spoilers, as well as a diffuser, are electronically lifted.
On the inside, the seats automatically firm up, contouring to the occupants body. The grippy three-spoke steering wheel is extended towards the driver, while the sequential gearbox shift times are reduced. If the driver opts to go back to the comfort mode the seating returns to normal, and so long as the car is below 56 mph, the aerodynamic aids retract into the body.
While there are definitely no plans for the Visos to go into production, its always interesting to see what advancements major manufacturers come up with. After all, it is entirely possible some of these features will end up part of a production Ford in the near future.