The Orange County Register has an interesting look at the development of the Ford Reflex Concept, which took just 11 months. In February, 2005, Ford set out to build an environmentally-friendly sports car to take on trendy compacts like the Mini Cooper. In March, lead designer Tyler Blake shades in exterior details that expose the car’s internal mechanics (i.e. exposed electronics via rear window). In June, Freeman Thomas – designer of the new VW Beetle, the Audi TT and the Chrysler 300 – assumes the team leadership after leaving Daimler-Chrysler. In August, the Reflex is ready to build. In November, the car slowly takes shape in a shop. By January, the car is done and on display at the Detroit auto show. Find the full article here (registration required).
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03/08, 4:36 PM
posted by:
shane
In the second sentence I think you mean feb. 2005
03/08, 4:42 PM
posted by:
paperycow
…and it shows…
03/08, 6:28 PM
posted by:
Mike
BUILD IT
03/08, 7:47 PM
posted by:
DaEMoN
Ain’t that a little small?
On a serious note: “take on trendy compacts like the Mini Cooper” but ain’t that a two seater?
I have seen some more pics, by the way, and it really does look futuristic and sporty.
03/08, 8:13 PM
posted by:
E M
Who cares that it came in 11 months? It is too small, not great looking and Ford will likely make it FWD, and isn’t the Celica only selling like 5k a year now? Ford, fix your bread and butter cars first.
03/08, 10:10 PM
posted by:
BodegaBay
OMG, a design that is not retro from Ford? Gasp. I can’t believe J. Mays gave the go for this team. Forget it, Ford isn’t brave enough to bring bold designs to the market.
03/09, 1:38 AM
posted by:
digitalzombie
is this some kind of urban suv? to go against fx and murano?
03/09, 8:33 AM
posted by:
David
Regardless of whether this concept makes production or not, it was still good and I would bet a lot of little things in and on it will make it to production on other vehicles. What I think I liked most about this concept was the Diesel/Electric Hybrid power plant. Good power with great fuel economy. I don’t remember the exact numbers, but I think the fuel efficiency was something like 67 MPG. WOW!!!
03/09, 10:15 AM
posted by:
Scootness
Neat idea, bad time. If I were Ford, I would sell the design to some foreign company for millions and save us from having tons of these sit on our lots.