Ford drives backwards at Detroit Auto Show

January 14, 10:30 AMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Automotive Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

GM, Chrysler, and Ford are all featuring future hybrid and
electric vehicles at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Ford
actually featured its Prodigy at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show!
The car had looks enabling it to be in the same room as
many of the offerings at in this year’s show!

Although the Prodigy was not completely electric, with gas
mileage that toped 70 miles per gallon, it is a car that Ford
should have on the road now!

Initially introduced at the Detroit and Geneva Auto Shows,
the Prodigy was lightweight, aerodynamic, and was large
enough to be a family size vehicle with mass appeal.

Neil Ressler, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer and Vice President
of Research and Vehicle Technology said that the Prodigy would
help Ford to go a long way towards the goal for offering an extremely
fuel-efficient family vehicle that would be an interim step between
the auto manufacturer’s P2000 research programs and an affordable
production hybrid.

The Prodigy had an aerodynamic design that enhanced the
vehicle’s looks while reducing air resistance. Small side-mounted
cameras were used in place of air catching side mirrors. The car had
a drag coefficient of 0.199, which is significantly improved over the .26 –
.28 offerings at the current show. This lower drag enabled the Prodigy
to gain an extra 4 miles per gallon.

The sedan was built on a lightweight platform and weighed about 2,400
lbs. This is almost 700 lbs. lighter than the new 2010 Ford Taurus. On
the inside, efficient interior design enabled the Prodigy to equal the
interior space of the Taurus.

The Prodigy was powered by a four-cylinder 1.2-liter direct-injection
diesel engine providing about 74hp. It was combined with a 47hp electric
motor located between the engine and the transmission. The car had
regenerative braking to help recharge the batteries, and the engine
stopped running at stoplights and restarted in less than 0.2 seconds
when the driver’s foot touched the accelerator.

The car also featured variable ride height, grill shutters and shields
underneath that helped to make smooth air flow around and under the
vehicle. The car’s exterior was clean and simple with trapezoidal front
and rear lights and a louvered grill that opened and closed as determined
by the engine’s cooling needs. Additionally, the car had a wide overall
stance including 19 inch five-spoke chrome wheels and tires set to
the outer edge of the car. This gave the Prodigy a dramatic sporty look.

It is my opinion that rather than featuring the redesigned 2010 Tauras
at this year’s Detroit Auto Show (remember, the Taurus has a poor track
record to overcome!), Ford should have gotten the Prodigy on the road!

Can the company continue to make such missteps by driving backwards?
Well, likely for not much longer!

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
www.DriveTheBestBook.com.
.