Is Ford going to produce the Reflex or something like it?

Question

I know there's a better chance that the Reflex concept won't make it to production, but do you think Ford will produce something like it? I mean the styling is way advanced and looks like a foreign concept, has an electric diesel hybrid engine which features up to 65 mpg, uses recycled rubber from Nike shoes to make the interior quiet, and solar cells along the roof and headlamps that charge the battery power the A/C and fans, and also power the head and tail lights.

Here are some pictures:

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/01/ReflexConcept_10_HR.jpg

http://www.rexkaile.com/motorshow/ford/ford_reflex_concept_2006_0004.jpg

http://www.xelopolis.com/news/janvier2006/reflex4.jpg

http://images.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/chicago/112_06cas_06z_2007_ford_reflex_concept_interior_dash.jpg

http://www.cars.com/features/autoshows/2006/detroit/coverage/images/Concept_Ford_Reflex_frontangle_cs_430.jpg

Answer 1

If they think it will sell, then they will build it.  It certainly looks good, unlike most hybrids, and with proper performance, it could be a success.

Answer 2

Who knows?  But I bet now that after these new mpg laws have passed, Ford and the other automakers will want to incorporate some of the ideas in this car into actual production vehicles.  whether or not they make that exact one is anyone's guess, but most concept cars are just that....nice concepts, but not much reality.  They're gonna have to start making them more fuel efficient somehow though.

Answer 3

Those figures were for an Aspire automatic.  An Aspire stick was rated at 38/54.  

What killed the Geo/Aspire?  CAFE laws.  They only made the Metro and Aspire because they needed some hypermileage cars to pull up their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE).  Once the mainstay of their fleet caught up with CAFE requirements, they dropped them like a hot potato.  That's why Chrysler never made one, they were already caught up.

The Reflex is the right idea, especially with the diesel.  The Chip Foose concept looks will quickly fade away, and it'll end up looking like a Taurus.   Still I hope they build it.

Answer 4

Well Ford is one of several auto companies which are developing plug-in hybrids.  They're planning to start selling them within 5-10 years.

Answer 5

Ford sold something like this car nearly twenty years ago.  I believe it was in 1988 they started selling the Festiva.  It was made by Kia with design input from Mazda.   EPA MPG was 35/42 with 5 spd.   With careful highway driving,  50 MPG was possible.

In 1994 it evolved into the Ford Aspire.  With the same 1.3L engine,  it had  enhanced styling (one auto writer  described the Festiva as looking like a "cinder block").  The Aspire had a redesigned suspension with 13 inch wheels instead of the tiny 12 inch on the Festiva.    Weight increased by 200 pounds,  but EPA MPG  was nearly the same at 34/42.  The Aspire was sold thru 1997.  Then it was more focus  on the guzzlers---unecessary, but highly profitable,  trucks and SUV's.

Who killed the Aspire?   The documentary films,  "Who Killed the EV-1"  and "An Unreasonable Man,"  are  required watching  to help answer this question.