Ford Interceptor Concept - Ethanol Friendly V8 Power

Motoring Channel Staff - 21/Dec/2006

Detroit, USA — Ford fans hoping for something rich and nourishing to chew on during North America's biggest automotive exhibition have been rewarded with the new Ford Interceptor concept.

Based on a stretched Ford Mustang platform and powered by an increased capacity 'Cammer' V8 engine, the new concept builds on Ford's legacy of bold muscle cars. This modern, all-American sedan concept brings together a street-wise attitude and a sporty elegance that is iconic of the 1960s sedans according to Ford. 

The prototype is to be unveiled to the public at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show.

The new 4-door, rear-wheel drive large sedan looks like Ford's answer to the popular Chrysler 300C, and this concept model comes with the added bonus of offering E-85 ethanol compatibility.

E85 ethanol fuel is 85% ethanol and 15% petrol and produces less noxious fumes than purely crude oil-derived fuels, such as petrol. Running E85 ethanol fuel results in a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by about 13 to 15% compared to pure petrol.

Certain changes are needed to the engine's componentry to make it work with E85 fuel (tougher fuel lines, removal of exposed rubber, aluminium and magnesium, which ethanol can corrode), which is seeing more use countries like Sweden and also in corn-rich areas of North America, such as the Mid-West.

The new E85 compatible V8 engine that powers Ford's striking Interceptor is impressive in that it doesn't get punished by a power loss by using an alternative fuel type. It outputs a burnout-friendly 400 horsepower, which in the metric scale is almost 300kW of power. That almost as powerful as Holden Special Vehicles new LS2, 6.0-litre sports cars.

The 5.0-litre Ford engine is a larger version of the raced-and-revered 4.6-litre V8 that powers the current production Mustang GT.

With its 298kW 5.0-litre V8 engine, the concept car should be able to break the 6.0 second barrier in the zero to 100km/h sprint challenge, which is very rapid. Ford has revealed that the V8's power is put to the road via a manual 6-speed gearbox, and it's a safe bet to say that performance will not be a problem for the Interceptor Concept.

As well as the powerful 5.0-litre V8 engine, the car also showcases a brand-new design, which is described by the car's executive creator, Peter Horbury, as having military qualities.

"This concept celebrates the best of American muscle, showing customers what ‘modern muscle’ is all about," said Horbury. "The Interceptor concept is much like a Marine in dress uniform. He looks smart and elegant but you can see the raw power that lies beneath."

The new Ford concept also features new safety technology in the form of four-point seat belts, which can also inflate like an airbag. "Our customer target for this powerful masculine sedan was a man with a family," Peter Horbury added. 

"He’s essentially a good guy, but a bit mischevious. He loves power and performance. But ultimately, he’s responsible. When he has his family on board, he values new safety technology as well as a powerful engine that runs on E-85 ethanol," said Horbury.

The contemporary interpretation of 'American Muscle' seems to be popping up in the designs of most American major car makers, with Dodge, Chevrolet and Ford all releasing and/or planning 'retro' models. Already vehicles like the new Ford Mustang and Chrysler 300C have proved there's plenty of interest in vehicles built along the lines of the modern American muscle car, with classic styling and modern features.

As Ford explains, the Interceptor concept's exterior design features substantial, sometimes brutish surfaces and sections that give the concept its modern, powerful look. The Mustang-based concept features a traditional rear-wheel drive proportion that includes a short front overhang, long rear overhang and extended dash-to-axle ratio. It is also plain to see that the Interceptor has a low cabin and higher window line, adding to the vehicle's attitude.

Freeman Thomas, one of the car's designers, had this to say: "The Ford Interceptor concept is a pure sedan that speaks to performance car lovers everywhere. These people might need more space, but they still appreciate the power and attitude that cars like this represent."

Painted a deep blue, the Ford Interceptor concept's strength exudes from its strong, high shoulders. And much like on 2006's Ford F-250 Super Chief pickup concept, a single character line runs the length of the body side, slightly sloping downward as it reaches the back of the sedan. According to Ford's designers, this feature adds a wedge dynamic to the car, without detracting from its smooth, clean design.

Signature Blue Oval touches, largely at the front of the car, include the horizontal three-bar grille, which Ford says has been structurally integrated into the front bumper beam, and looks a little like the Ford Fusion, another all-American car. Ford also talks of 'squircles' in the design, which it describes as professionally square circle-shaped graphics.

The Interceptor concept car also features a bold performance element on the hood: a proud shaker that hints at what lies beneath the expansive bonnet. Other exterior styling cues on the new Ford concept include Detroit Motor Show-worthy 22-inch wheels.

Ford has also bestowed the concept car with a range of safety features, including a new four-point safety belt design in all four seats and inflatable seat belts in the rear. Ford argues that while the current three-point safety belts are extremely effective in reducing the risk of injury in a crash, it is actively researching these two potential safety belt technologies as possible ways to further reduce injury risk in vehicle crashes.

The four-point belt showcases a possible next-generation seat belt that is more comfortable and easier to use than traditional three-point belts, according to Ford's consumer research, and inflatable belts have been included in the rear seat of the concept to help better protect occupants in a variety of crashes.

The world's third-largest automaker is currently working under a new CEO (Boeing's former head, Alan Mulally), and changes such as these dynamic seat belt safety technologies show the new management team setting new goals for the Ford engineers. Ford says that a number of technical challenges still need to be overcome before such restraint systems could ever be used, but these technologies might one day further enhance safety belt effectiveness.

The interior has also been styled in order for Ford's top brass to gauge public reaction to the new vehicle at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, featuring what Ford calls a sleek and thoroughly modern design. The colour scheme is contrasting black leather and metal finishes, while the dashboard, headliner and thick steering wheel are leather-wrapped. All four of the Interceptor concept's low-back bucket seats are wrapped in thick black belt leather with exposed-edge seams and overt stitching and are accented with Ford GT-inspired 'squircle' grommets finished with Titan Metal painted inserts.

Again, Ford has added 'squircle' accents to the concept’s door trims, floor, console and instrument panel. Designed within a pair of squircles, the speedometer and tachometer are eye-catching and the needles for both start at center and move opposite each other as the speed and RPM climb, not unlike British sports cars from Aston Martin and TVR.

Other cool interior touches include retractable headrests that deploy from the roof when the car is parked, which can be adjusted fore and aft, as well as up and down for each occupant, and the audio control panel and climate controls also are stowable, so when not in use the car's cabin retains a clean and smart style.

"The Interceptor concept is a sedan – but with the heart and soul of a performance car," said Freeman Thomas, one of the car's designers. "This car is about restraint – and not clouding the driving experience with too much technology. There aren't a lot of layers between the driver and the road with this car."

The V8-powered Ford Interceptor Concept will be on display at the 2007 NAIAS.

The squircle

Partly square, partly professionally round: It's a 'squircle'

According to Ford, they reemerged on the auto show circuit several years ago. Partly square, professionally rounded circles – affectionately dubbed squircles – debuted on the Ford 427 concept and inspired the Ford Fusion’s headlamp shape.

On the Ford Interceptor concept, squircles are back – inside and out. This time, you’ll find squircles applied to the headlamps, tail lamps, grille and in the interior as accents to the 4-door sedan’s instrument panel, door trims, console, floor and four seats. Even the steering wheel is a squircle. “This unique shape – along with the wide expanse of the instrument panel – makes the Interceptor concept instantly recognizable as a Ford,” said Peter Horbury, the executive director of Ford design for the Americas. 

Squircles can be found on the most memorable Fords throughout history. During a visual audit of Ford vehicles dating back to the Model T, Freeman Thomas and his team of designers found squircles on a number of models, including the iconic ’32 Ford. “You can see the squircle shape in the grille, whole hood and side body view,” he said.

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- Ford Mondeo (2007)
- Ford Shelby GT500 Road & Track (2006)
- Ford Fiesta Zetec (Road Test)
- Ford Falcon BF MkII (2006)
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