DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. (F) teamed with the maker of Airstream travel trailers to create a concept touring vehicle inspired by spacecraft as well as the aerodynamic icons of the American road.
With its silver, capsule-shaped exterior and orange-rimmed windows, the automaker says the Ford Airstream Concept is a futuristic crossover. And its 12 ceremonial rivets pay homage to Airstream's riveted aluminum construction.
Photo Essay: North American International Auto Show
"It's the ultimate modern touring vehicle that delivers flexibility and capability with dynamic design that evokes the spirit of the journey," Peter Horbury, Ford's executive director of design for The Americas, said in a statement.
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The concept, which was to be unveiled Sunday at the North American International Auto Show, is powered by a plug-in hydrogen hybrid fuel cell that operates under electric power at all times.
In addition to the driver's side hatch, the passenger side features a power clamshell door that runs two-thirds the length of the vehicle. A three-door hatch finishes the rear of the crossover.
Inside, the focal point of the rear seating area is a 360-degree screen for entertainment and games. The screen also creates ambient mood settings, including a modern lava lamp and virtual fire.
"We want to continue finding options for tomorrow's road trips," said Bob Wheeler, president and chief executive of Jackson Center, Ohio-based Airstream. "Our success ... has come from challenging the conventional thinking about what an Airstream is."
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