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Berlin, Germany – Making its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Ford Evos Concept represents the ultimate expression of Ford’s new global design language, and explores key future powertrain and vehicle technologies.

Created as a bespoke concept vehicle, the fastback introduces Ford’s first truly global design language as the momentum of the company’s One Ford product plan continues to build.

“The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development.

“With its compelling design and innovative technology experience, this is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand. While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products around the world will display many of the distinctive design ideas and advanced technologies it showcases.”

Technology vision for enriched customer experience

Ford Evos Concept is not just a design-led exercise. It also embodies the global Ford product development team's move to design and develop vehicles as more than just an interior and exterior, or a collection of attributes.

"Our goal is to focus on enriching a customer's every experience with their vehicle – by personalizing it, adapting it, and creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them," said Kuzak. "In the Ford Evos Concept, this objective is explored and extended to the area of connectivity, where the intent is not to convert the vehicle into a smartphone, but rather to provide personalised and safe connection to the outside world in an enriching manner designed totally for the vehicle context."

Ford's global Research and Innovation team, led by Paul Mascarenas, was tasked with building Evos Concept around a technology experience as visionary as the design. The result signals how Ford intends to build on the momentum of innovations like the SYNC in-car connectivity system.

“At Ford, the future of technology in the car will be defined by the experience that it delivers to the driver and passengers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Innovation. “We see technology as more than just an impressive list of microprocessors, sensors and software; it’s about the application of that technology to create an experience that enhances the driver’s time behind the wheel.”

The concept’s technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information is at the heart of the vision for its capabilities.

“The possibilities are fascinating when we explore how to enable a seamless lifestyle between home, office and car linked by access to the driver’s personal information,” Mascarenas said.

With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an exceptionally dynamic driving experience.

Ford researchers are focusing their efforts in this area to deliver on four key customer benefits: personalisation, seamless enhancement of the driving experience, looking after the driver’s well-being and delivering smart electrified powertrain optimisation.

The personalised, cloud-connected lifestyle

While today’s Ford products provide drivers with many personalisation options, cloud connectivity will enable future Ford vehicles to take the experience to the next level.

Drawing from a detailed understanding of the driver’s preferences and driving habits, the Ford Evos Concept combines this personal information with additional data from the cloud, such as the driver’s work schedule and local traffic or weather conditions. This information provides a personalised and seamless experience as the driver transitions in and out of the car.

“We’re researching how we can use patterns or preferences set by the driver to make life simpler,” said Mascarenas. “The car gets to know you and can act as a personal assistant to handle some of the usual routines of a daily commute.”

It could automatically play the same music or news program that was just streaming at home, or heat or cool the interior to an ideal temperature before the driver gets in without having to be requested by predicting departure time based on his calendar. Wirelessly communicating with devices in the home, it could close the garage door and switch off the lights automatically as it pulls away.

“This cloud-connected vision shows the enormous potential of tailoring the driving experience to suit the exact personal tastes and moods of the driver,” said Mascarenas. “From recommending a great driving road from friends on your social networks or resetting your alarm clock to let you sleep in when a morning meeting gets cancelled!”

Enhanced driving experience

Ford Evos Concept explores adaptive vehicle technologies to redefine the driving experience.

Current technology requires vehicle chassis settings to be defined based upon the abilities and tastes of a cross-section of drivers and the topography of typical roads. The concept foresees tuning handling and performance to the road ahead and the specific individual behind the wheel.

Learning driver habits and capabilities, the technology can overlay map and weather data sourced from the cloud to adjust powertrain, steering, suspension and braking systems for optimum enjoyment, comfort and safety. Because the vehicle is adaptive and honed to maximum performance based on the situation, it takes driving engagement to a new level.

Even the most spontaneous summer road trips usually have some kind of loose itinerary, whether it’s visiting vintage ballparks, exploring historic cities and heritage sites, or a Rain Man-style raid on Vegas. But most road-trippers will tell you that the allure of the open road has less to do with where you’re going than with the potential for adventure along the way: more often than not, the journey turns out to be more memorable than the eventual destination. And though the same is probably also true in the grand scheme of things, when you’re hitting the road to cover the Honda Indy 200, an open-wheel race on a natural-terrain road course in Lexington, Ohio, that draws many of the finest drivers in the world, it’s hard to keep that old Taoist principle in mind.

Given that Honda is the race’s main sponsor, I thought it was only right to show up in a Honda vehicle, so I arranged for a 2011 Accord Sedan SE. Granted, a family-oriented car like the Accord might not seem like an obvious first choice when you’re heading to an IndyCar event, but since I myself was not participating in the race, I thought it would be equal to the task. The 2011 Accord Sedan has benefited from various design tweaks and recently underwent a model change. Under the hood is a 2.4-litre, 177-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a five-speed automatic transmission. There weren’t many gadgets (including a navigation system or a sunroof), but it did come equipped with a much-needed XM Satellite Radio for the long drive. Most of the Accord’s refinements have improved fuel economy, but the leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, and 8-way adjustable electric driver’s seat with power lumbar support have also introduced a more luxurious quality.

After securing my luggage in the spacious trunk and making a patriotic final pit-stop at Timmy’s, I crossed the border and headed for my first waypoint: the Steel City, Pittsburgh, PA. I cruised along the I-90 West and then took the I-79 South to the Burgh, which despite its gritty industrial reputation is a beautiful city with a striking downtown skyline. Not only is Pittsburgh a great sports town, but it is also studded with interesting cultural sites (notably the Andy Warhol museum) and great restaurants, including the famous Primanti Bros. Sandwich chain.

After watching the hapless Pirates at PNC Park and then checking out a poker tournament at the Rivers Casino, it was off to the races in Ohio. While en route to Lexington I stopped at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, where several NFL greats, notably Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, and Shannon Sharpe, were being enshrined. This little detour also allowed me to take the winding US-30 Highway, which the SE negotiated expertly. The Honda Indy 200 was the second of three IndyCar races that I plan to attend this year, but I never get tired of being in the pits and around the cars and teams. In past years, the Indy 200 hasn’t exactly been a barn-burner: passing was almost unheard of, so qualifying was a top priority for all drivers. Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi not only won the pole – his first in a few years at an IndyCar race – but also topped the morning practice session. Dixon, who trailed teammate Dario Franchitti by 106 points in the drivers’ standings coming into the race, looked primed for his third win at this course. The two drivers who are challenging for the Driver’s Championship, Franchitti and Verizon Team Penske’s Will Power, started side-by-side in the third and fourth spots.

In the end, Dixon prevailed, winning his first race of the 2011 campaign and third career Mid-Ohio by passing Franchitti on a re-start with 24 laps to go. Franchitti and Power battled for position early on, but an unlucky caution spoiled Power’s pit strategy and cost him valuable positions. Franchitti ultimately finished second and Power fourteenth. Canada’s own James Hinchcliffe of Newman/Haas, who was competing in just his 12th IndyCar event, led the pack for 26 laps before going off course after a pit-stop, a critical error that left him bringing up the rear.

After watching the trophy presentation, I struck out for my last stop in the neighbouring city of Columbus to recharge my batteries for the long drive home. After putting some 2,000 klicks on my faithful Accord, I had come to feel like it was my own. Despite having spent eight hours behind the wheel, I experienced no discomfort (except for an ill-advised midnight run to White Castle for which the Accord cannot be blamed). Granted, driving the Accord Sedan is not going to get your heart rate jacked, but its balance of comfort, reliability, luxury, and fuel economy make it a strong contender in the full-size family-sedan market. The car didn’t turn any heads, but it proved to be a reliable road-trip companion.

MARKHAM, Ontario – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. today announced its new 2012 Veloster 3-door coupe will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $18,999. As a Hyundai, the Veloster will be very well equipped with features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, Gasoline Direct Injection fuel-saving technology, back-up camera and a 7-inch touch screen display as standard equipment.

The Veloster will be available at Hyundai dealers across Canada in September.

The Veloster arrives with the most aggressive adaptation of Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language. First launched in 2010, Fluidic Sculpture evokes the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. With the Veloster, Hyundai has enhanced the design to give the car more visual appeal on the road.

Equipped with a 138-horsepower, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 123 lb.-ft. of torque, the Veloster can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Hyundai’s first 6-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission. With Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology, the Veloster can achieve highway fuel efficiency of 4.9 L/100km – better than the Honda CR-Z Hybrid.

“The Veloster is a new type of vehicle for Hyundai,” said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. “The car was designed to appeal to people looking for a compact, stylish coupe with sporty handling to navigate the modern urban jungle and an efficient engine in this era of high fuel prices. We’ve also infused the Veloster with the latest technology to help buyers get the most out of their car. We believe there simply is nothing else like the Veloster on the market right now.”

Pricing for the Veloster starts at $18,999 for a very well equipped model with a 6-speed manual transmission. Additional standard equipment includes heated seats, Bluetooth, telescopic steering wheel, fog lights, LED position lights, centre-mounted dual chrome exhaust outlets and a sophisticated trip computer. The 6-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission can be added for $1,400.

A single, optional $3,500 Tech Package is available, upgrading the Veloster with 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation, premium 450-watt Dimension audio system with subwoofer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, upgraded seat covers and armrest, high-gloss black interior accents, alloy pedals and automatic light control.

A full complement of standard safety equipment includes six airbags, disc brakes at all four wheels and Hyundai’s Vehicle Stability Management system. Braking aids include ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Veloster combines the style of a coupe with the functionality of a hatchback, all while incorporating an additional passenger-side door. Hinged conventionally, the rear passenger side door of the Veloster provides safe and easy access to the rear seats. In order to maintain the classic coupe style, the passenger-side rear door handle is hidden in the C-pillar.

– Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) Expands As Stunning New Open-Top Model Joins IPL G Coupe in Infiniti Showrooms Beginning Spring 2012 –


Infiniti today announced that it will double its Infiniti Performance Line lineup of premium performance vehicles in spring 2012 with the addition of a new 2013 IPL G Convertible. More than just focusing on engine power and acceleration, the Infiniti Performance Line, or IPL, product design philosophy focuses on “total vehicle performance,” including unique driving attributes and exclusive exterior and interior features at highly attractive price points. 



The IPL G Convertible announcement was made by Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where the IPL G Convertible Concept is currently on display. The IPL G Convertible Concept features unique aerodynamic styling, the dynamic performance of an IPL-tuned V6, exhaust and suspension, 19-inch IPL aluminum-alloy wheels, three-piece retractable hardtop and a unique red leather-appointed interior set against a Malbec Black exterior – a level of equipment and performance modification expected to be shared with the production IPL G Convertible.



“The Infiniti Performance Line, as demonstrated by our first offering, the IPL G Coupe, challenges the concept of an ultra-high cost sports series. IPL pushes the premium performance envelope for buyers seeking a higher level of exclusivity and driving exhilaration, but does so with an Infiniti twist,” said Poore. “The IPL G Convertible will deliver the goods, just like the current IPL G Coupe does. Plus, the new IPL G Convertible offers the added pleasure of open-air motoring.”



The new IPL G Convertible is based on the foundation of the Infiniti G37 Convertible, which features an advanced 3.7-liter V6 and three-piece power retractable hardtop that’s designed to look as good with the top up as it does down. 



“Like every Infiniti, the new IPL G Convertible will take a different path from its established competitors,” added Poore. “It’s a terrific addition to the Infiniti Performance Line, taking the dramatic Infiniti G Convertible to an even higher level.” 



Additional information on the 2013 IPL G Convertible will be available during the production version debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.