By Mark Kleis
Friday, Apr 23rd, 2010 @ 5:55 am

Ahead of the official reveal, Ford has taken the wraps off of its upcoming Start Concept car. The Start is powered by an all-new three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine said to produce power similar to the automaker’s existing 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.

Ford has officially taken the wraps off of a previously unknown concept car, known as the Start Concept. This vehicle represents an extension of Ford’s One Ford plan, and also brings a new EcoBoost engine into the line of existing and upcoming EcoBoost engines.

Ford Start continues trend towards smaller EcoBoost offerings
Ford says that the Start Concept was a perfect opportunity to debut a new EcoBoost engine, coming in at just 1.0-liter of displacement and with just three cylinders. Ford says this EcoBoost engine has output in line with its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque in the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Inside sources tell Leftlane that the three-cylinder EcoBoost engine will not only match the power output of the larger 1.6-liter, four-cylinder naturally aspirated unit, but should allow for a “few extra miles per gallon.”

Ford also expects the official carbon dioxide emissions to be under 100 g/km.

The inspiration for the Ford Start Concept
Ford says that the Start Concept was aimed at addressing the growing problem of massive urbanization. Ford points out that 50 percent of the world currently calls an urban setting home, and that number is expected to climb to 70 percent by 2050.

“Our ambition with the Ford Start Concept was to design a car that transcends the practical realities of commuting in these mega cities and goes beyond just dressing the technology. We wanted to design a car you would also love,” explained Freeman Thomas, design director.

Ford also says that when designing the Start Concept that they turned to iconic, classic designs, such as the Porsche 356 Speedster, and the Alfa Romeo Zagato SZ. Their goal was to find a design that was simplistic, but conveyed its purpose well.

Ford Start technology
Ford says the Start Concept also debuts a concept phase technology, known as MyFord Mobile Concept, which pairs smart phones with the vehicle, allowing for occupants to perform several in-car functions. This expands the MyFord technology, based on touch screen and voice command functioning, set to debut in the 2011 Ford Edge.

The MyFord Mobile Concept also allows for phones to be docked with the vehicle, and then gives access to phone contacts and navigation tools through voice activation, as are all messaging, direction and communication features.

  

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