Taking Urban Living to a New Level
"Say what?! They can't be serious," were just a few words uttered during Ford's introduction of the extremely odd, albeit
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| Unlike most concepts at the North American International Auto Show, Ford doesn't expect would-be buyers to jump all over its SYNus concept. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Truth be told, Ford didn't expect would-be buyers to jump all over it anyways.
But the new concept should pique the interest of auto show passersby, and in so doing heighten peoples' awareness about what new technologies Ford is busy at work developing for the urban environment.
Why urban? When cars were just being developed people were moving from the farm to the city, and then when those cars wore big fins and loads of chrome it was an exodus from the city to the suburbs. And what about now? Urban real estate, or anything close to town, is hot property in today's world, and Ford wants to show those buying into the inner city that it is
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| J Mays, Ford's head of design who introduced the crossover SUV, showed those attending how the automaker plans to use the SYNus for heightening peoples' awareness about what new technologies Ford is busy at work developing for the urban environment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
What kinds of problems? First and foremost is the lack of parking, and when a spot can be found it's a "small car only" space more often than not. The SYNus is not only compact, but based on Ford of Europe's B-segment Fiesta. That puts it into the size spectrum of Toyota's Echo Hatchback and Hyundai's Accent, and yes the same class as Scion's xB - the U.S. only crossover that makes the SYNus appear aerodynamic.
Seriously though, while diminutive in size, the SYNus is tough enough to stand up to pretty well anything an urban guerilla can throw at it.