Ford Reflex
Encyclopedia
The Ford Reflex is a concept car
introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
that, according to Ford
, "proves small cars can be bold and American". It is a technological showcase that includes solar panel
-powered headlights, integrated child seat, baby cam with a monitor mounted on the dash, inflatable rear safety belts, and an interior quieted by ground rubber
taken from Nike
athletic shoe outsoles. A production version of the Reflex design has not yet been announced. It features an advanced diesel
-electric hybrid engine
with new-generation lithium ion batteries that help deliver up to 65 mpgus of diesel fuel, and can accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 60 mi/h in 7 seconds.
The concept features an electric motor
on the rear axle in addition to its hybrid propulsion system on the front axle. The rear motor provides all wheel drive capability, improved driving dynamics, and the fuel economy benefits of a full hybrid vehicle. Reflex's energy is stored in a new-generation lithium-ion battery pack
, using the same technology found in cell phones. Ford was the first manufacturer to produce an electric vehicle
using this type of battery system when it introduced the electric Ford Ka
research vehicle in 2000. Also contributing to Reflex's power and performance are unique headlamps and taillamps that integrate solar panel
s. The Ford-patented battery-charging lighting system improves fuel economy by using the sun's power to charge the on-board batteries, while capturing and reusing the daylight at night.
The Reflex features 2+1 seating, with a center-mounted rear "love seat" for 2 children or one adult, that also includes a fold-out rear-facing child seat. "Ford Reflex is a small car that doesn't feel small," says Freeman Thomas, director, Ford North American Strategic Design. "It is a gorgeous sporty car that delivers guilt free performance with a hybrid engine. And thanks to its innovative approach to the interior, it has space for growing families."
Reflex is set off with Ford's three-bar grille – made of high-strength anodized extruded aluminum, which is hand polished to a matte finish. The concept's shoulder line flows upward to the B-pillar and back down into the wheel arch. Reverse butterfly doors
aid vehicle ingress and egress.
The Reflex concept car is similar in size and general configuration as the Mazda Kabura
concept, and if they are both ordered into production could share a common platform, with styling and powertrain differences to set the pair apart. For example, while the Kabura concept included a 2.0L 16 valve DOHC piston inline-four engine, a production Kabura might end up with a rotary engine
, as used in the Mazda RX-8
. The Reflex would likely have a more conventional gasoline or diesel (or hybrid) engine.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
that, according to Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, "proves small cars can be bold and American". It is a technological showcase that includes solar panel
Photovoltaic module
A solar panel is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells...
-powered headlights, integrated child seat, baby cam with a monitor mounted on the dash, inflatable rear safety belts, and an interior quieted by ground rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
taken from Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
athletic shoe outsoles. A production version of the Reflex design has not yet been announced. It features an advanced diesel
Diesel-electric
Diesel-electric transmission or diesel-electric powertrain is used by a number of vehicle and ship types for providing locomotion.A diesel-electric transmission system includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric traction motors...
-electric hybrid engine
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
with new-generation lithium ion batteries that help deliver up to 65 mpgus of diesel fuel, and can accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 60 mi/h in 7 seconds.
The concept features an electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
on the rear axle in addition to its hybrid propulsion system on the front axle. The rear motor provides all wheel drive capability, improved driving dynamics, and the fuel economy benefits of a full hybrid vehicle. Reflex's energy is stored in a new-generation lithium-ion battery pack
Battery pack
A battery pack is a set of any number of identical batteries or individual battery cells. They may be configured in a series, parallel or a mixture of both to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, or power density...
, using the same technology found in cell phones. Ford was the first manufacturer to produce an electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
using this type of battery system when it introduced the electric Ford Ka
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
research vehicle in 2000. Also contributing to Reflex's power and performance are unique headlamps and taillamps that integrate solar panel
Photovoltaic module
A solar panel is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells...
s. The Ford-patented battery-charging lighting system improves fuel economy by using the sun's power to charge the on-board batteries, while capturing and reusing the daylight at night.
The Reflex features 2+1 seating, with a center-mounted rear "love seat" for 2 children or one adult, that also includes a fold-out rear-facing child seat. "Ford Reflex is a small car that doesn't feel small," says Freeman Thomas, director, Ford North American Strategic Design. "It is a gorgeous sporty car that delivers guilt free performance with a hybrid engine. And thanks to its innovative approach to the interior, it has space for growing families."
Reflex is set off with Ford's three-bar grille – made of high-strength anodized extruded aluminum, which is hand polished to a matte finish. The concept's shoulder line flows upward to the B-pillar and back down into the wheel arch. Reverse butterfly doors
Butterfly doors
Butterfly doors or vertical doors are a type of door sometimes seen on high-performance automobiles. They are similar to scissor doors, but while scissor doors move up, butterfly doors also move outwards, which makes for easier entry/exit at the expense of saving space.The McLaren F1, Alfa Romeo 33...
aid vehicle ingress and egress.
The Reflex concept car is similar in size and general configuration as the Mazda Kabura
Mazda Kabura
The Mazda Kabura is a concept car shown by the Japanese manufacturer Mazda in 2006.-Concept overview:The Kabura, introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, is a sport compact which shows styling themes and technologies which could appear in future production models...
concept, and if they are both ordered into production could share a common platform, with styling and powertrain differences to set the pair apart. For example, while the Kabura concept included a 2.0L 16 valve DOHC piston inline-four engine, a production Kabura might end up with a rotary engine
Wankel engine
The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that...
, as used in the Mazda RX-8
Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, it is powered by a Wankel engine. The RX-8 began North American sales in the...
. The Reflex would likely have a more conventional gasoline or diesel (or hybrid) engine.