24·7: Where form meets consumer function

Ford Motor Company's 24·7 concept study is like none other.
Wrapped in simple, functional designs, the 24·7 coupe, wagon and pick-up concepts feature advanced communications and telematics technologies that allow each user who interacts with the vehicles the ability to access e-mail, a hands-free mobile phone, real-time route assistance, weather reports and custom features, such as stock readings.

The vehicles' exterior design features simple geometric shapes and machined surfaces that give a technical look and feel designed to complement the advanced communications and telematics technologies underneath the skin.

"The simplicity of the exterior design demonstrates that 24·7 is not about creating a highly stylised automobile that reflects the wants and needs of a particular designer. Instead, it is about developing a relationship with the consumer and having him or her be the personality that shines through the vehicle," says J Mays, Ford Motor Company vice president of Design.

All three 24·7 concepts feature 17-inch, six-spoke matte aluminium-finished wheels wrapped in specially cut 245/50R-17 Goodyear tires with digital patterned tread. The side mirrors have been replaced with 'lipstick' cameras that give the driver a panoramic view of their surroundings projected on the surface of the instrument panel. The front doors feature square or rectangular shaped push-button handles. Once the front doors are open, the rear doors can be opened from the centre to the back, providing unrestricted access to the rear seat.

The 24·7 badging mounted at the centre of the grille area is lit to match the exterior body colour of the each vehicle: yellow, green or orange.

The interiors feature specially designed bench-like seats that resemble a clamshell in their construction. The exterior seat surfaces are covered in a light-beige leather, while the inner parts of the shell are painted with each vehicles corresponding accent colour. Exposed parts of the seat structure are finished in aluminium.

The instrument panel is a dark grey, high-definition projection screen. Once the vehicle has been powered up and the driver has been selected, the gauges appear on the instrument panel in the ideal configuration for the specific driver. Using voice commands, the driver is able to choose the gauges that are active when needed.

The available choices include speedometer, oil, fuel, GPS/map, Internet, e-mail, mobile phone, compact disc/tape/radio and clock. All of the operations are voice-activated, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the wheel.

24·7's one-spoke steering wheel includes the controls for an auto/manual shift feature, which allows the driver to shift gears by pressing a button. A camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror is positioned to transmit images of the driver and passengers from the hands-free videophone.

The floor is covered in rubber matting that has a unique pattern with randomly alternating circular shapes in each vehicles accent colour.

24·7 is built on the all-new Ford Focus platform that has been lengthened two inches. It is powered by Focus' 2.0-liter Zetec I-4 engine.

"24·7 is not just transportation," says Mays. "It is about guiding you through life."

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