2005 Ford SAV Concept

Aside from looking spectacular on the show floor and in photos, the future of family transportation is heading in the

Ford's styling team tried to reinforce the sporting nature of the SAV by covering all surfaces in muted grey tones complemented by more grey tones. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

direction of adaptable seating configurations. I'm not talking Stow n' Go here, but rather a remote-controlled, power-operated transforming rear-seat arrangement. Yes, remote controlled. At the push of a button (on a remote), the two seats in the second row slide outward and the one third-row seat snuggles up in between for cozy close supervision within reach of the passenger-seat disciplinary adviser (Mom). Did I mention the seat transformation is controlled by remote? I haven't seen anything transform like that since I donated Soundwave to a Christmas toy drive, except maybe the Scion commercials. Filling out the rear cargo area are a pair of integrated luggage modules.

Also on the interior design front, Ford's styling team tried to reinforce the sporting nature of the SAV by covering all surfaces in muted grey tones complemented by more grey tones. Actually all the grey is just the backdrop for the slashes, slivers and even swaths of the same bright orange featured in the grille surround. Sporting almost to the point of

Showing Ford's new physical identity with pride and aggressiveness, this Sport Activity Vehicle will be right at home in Europe. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

irritating, I would have to say. What is definitely sporting is the flow-through center stack and console with the high-mounted transmission and the flat-bottomed steering with its aluminum highlights.

Over in Europe at least, the new image is fitting, as European Ford products are noted for their sporting legacy and dynamic character, attributes that the Ford Taurus (SHO aside) never displayed and new Five Hundred struggles to emit. Showing Ford's new physical identity with pride and aggressiveness, this Sport Activity Vehicle will be right at home, in Europe.