[Nihar Mazumdar]

There are two concepts that Audi has made that I think would be very good candidates for a Ford whitespace competitor.

 

[Nihar Mazumdar]

Source: TopSpeed

Audi TT Sportback:

The TT Sportback measures 4.47 meters (176 inches) long, 1.89 meters (74.4 inches) wide and 1.38 meters (54.3 inches) tall. This new body rides atop a 2.63-meter (92.9-inch) wheelbase. These dimensions make the TT Sportback 11.4 inches longer, 2.4 inches wider and 1.2 inches shorter in height than the TT Coupe. It also has a 4.7-inch longer wheelbase than the TT Coupe to make more room for the rear seats.

Audi E-Tron:

Moving over to the sides, you’ll notice a lot of the same cues that you saw on the e-tron Quattro Concept, but more refined. The Sportback Concept has beefy front fenders and rear haunches. Where things differ here, however, is that the sharp body lines of the rear quarters and fenders are now separated with a crease in the body just below them for a unique look. Down below, the Sportback gets the same styling we say on the Quattro, but the side skirts are toned down a bit while the area just above gets a long LED strip that helps to define the side profile. Of particular note here is the fact that the roof slopes down rather violently beyond the front doors, leaving little room for rear quarter glass. This model is also void of any door handles but does have the side view cameras mounted to the beltline.
...

Around back, the first thought that comes to mind here is “bubble butt.” It’s a rash generalization as there’s really not anything that bubbly going on back here, but the sloop of the rear hatch and the rounded appearance above the beltline area gives the concept an interesting look, to say the least. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of the rear of the Porsche Panamera, but that’s no surprise, really. After all, we’re talking about Audi here, and no brand under the VAG umbrella has had a unique idea in quite some time. The taillights on this concept feature a matrix layout similar to that of the Quattro Concept but have been fashioned so that together they look like a two-sided arrow. The rear fascia is quite obsolete as far as style goes, but down below there is a bit of cladding to add some character.

 

[2b2]

^Links:
https://www.netcarshow.com/audi/2014-tt_sportback_concept/
https://www.netcarshow.com/audi/2017-e-tron_sportback_concept/
&

...Cuv...hybrid (or low cost plug-in)...rebody-ing it for ultimate aerodynamics...(maybe lower ride-height too -or- with active (speed sensitive) height lowering)

&
you gonna tie this into Fomoco, Nihar?
or should we be looking for a diff forum-section as a permanent home for this thread?

 

[Nihar Mazumdar]

@2b2 Ford cars

I'm speculating the shape. When we hear more about Ford's plan we'll add more here as well.

 

[2b2]

'K
I'll just leave this here :angel

from: BEYOND UNCOVERED: Lincoln's Future Lineup SPECULATION

...attaching "car-ish" examples

edit/AND...
digging up that camo^pic leads me to wonder IF
that THIRD new platformitecture —the SECRET one we know nothing about— ..."e1",
could [not will] be used for

can't get more white-spaced!! — –O lo

 

[jpd80]

copied from...

...KILL ALL CARS / #meToo !​

I wonder if there would be a place for the Euro Ford S-Sax in North America,
it's an MPV but not so awful as some designs...

And this is the Ford Galaxy stable mate, much more of a mini van

from: Mission2020​

was daydreaming about my ideal car and somehow started wondering what a C-Max would look like if it was re-skinned with the Macan?
very rough&quick:

if anyone isn't sure, the middle one is the re-skin
& fwiw
_ovl___wlb____w____ht________
184.3 - 110.5 - 76.7 - 63.9 - Porsche Macan
173.6 - 104.3 - 72.0 - 63.9 - C-Max
177.9 - 109.8 - 71.9 - 66.3 - Grand C-Max (not used nor harmed in this chop)

 

[Nihar Mazumdar]

It visually makes sense for Ford to build something like either of these concepts.


Mid/Fullsize:

<-------

Compact/Subcompact:

<--------

They fit comfortably between the sedan and SUV.

Here's another example from Audi:

I've also linked full spec sheets for the Buick Regal and Audi A5 sportbacks vs. Mercedes GLC and BMW X6 crossover coupes.

https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/x6/specs
https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/glc-coupe/specs

https://www.caranddriver.com/audi/a5-sportback/specs
https://www.caranddriver.com/buick/regal-sportback/specs

 

[Nihar Mazumdar]

@jpd80 I would like to see the Galaxy MPV come to the US. Though they might wait for its redesign.

The future of the sedan:

Ford, make a competitor to this (EXACTLY, with the practical SUV trunk).

 

[wingsnut]

At our track recently, I saw the shape of what I was pretty sure was a Mach One BEV running around. If so, I take back my previous comment that it was not unique. This was very unique. I liked what I saw.

 

[2b2]

Wings, if you have the time / inclination...

Which of the already-numerous pix in this thread is closest in overall SHAPE to what you saw??
...maybe 'squint'? ;

 

[wingsnut]

Wings, if you have the time / inclination...

Which of the already-numerous pix in this thread is closest in overall SHAPE to what you saw??
...maybe 'squint'? ;

Sure, in your post #5 above, showing the 9 vehicles, I would say the profile looks similar to the 1st or top left white vehicle. What I saw had a bit more rake in the back, less CUV-ish, which is what I disliked on the clay concept they showed. I am feeling better about it, as what we saw was probably very early. And again, I am not even certain of what I saw, and was to busy with testing our project, to ask.

 

[2b2]

^ TY!
one of my faves for YEARS, by "BlackManta"

can't even remember which French Concept it was based on

edit:
thanks for the direction to...

When/if they return, I wouldn't be surprised if it's with the DS brand. The Numero 9 concept from a few years back was gorgeous. It would fit into that "white space" quite nicely.

Found:
NetCarShow - 2005 Citroën C-sportlounge concept

 

[wingsnut]

^
Again, if that was what I saw (BEV Mach One), then I liked it and that is surprisingly close to it.

sans the early MKZ grill, of course.

And agreed, that was one of my fave concepts.

 

[Bloggin]

If it has the shape of the i-Pace it could be a good thing. But this long wheel base short nose is based on a full EV, without a need for ICE space up front.

 

[ZanatWork]

I'm holding out some blind, optimistic hope that one "white space" vehicle will be a Flex successor, because they really are useful as **** and thick on the ground out here on the left coast.

Having something with space to rival my Expedition but with much better MPG has been a huge deal for me. I love my ol' truck, but I can limit its use for truck-specific things, now.

 

[rmc523]

I'm holding out some blind, optimistic hope that one "white space" vehicle will be a Flex successor, because they really are useful as **** and thick on the ground out here on the left coast.

Having something with space to rival my Expedition but with much better MPG has been a huge deal for me. I love my ol' truck, but I can limit its use for truck-specific things, now.

I too have wondered if Flex has turned back into favor to have a next-gen model. Obviously it won't be intended to light up the sales charts, but if it can continue to pull in high $$ sales, maybe they'll see a reason to finally give it a redesign instead of canceling it.

 

[2b2]

I'm holding out some blind, optimistic hope that one "white space" vehicle will be a Flex successor, because they really are useful as **** and thick on the ground out here on the left coast.

Having something with space to rival my Expedition but with much better MPG has been a huge deal for me. I love my ol' truck, but I can limit its use for truck-specific things, now.

Is that a new signature, Zan? :thumb::thumb::thumb: can't believe I'd've missed it

&
imho/wondering/hoping whether the most innovatively-interesting vehicles will be on the secret3rd platformitecture - - Flex is a definite candidate imho
:nerd: ...think making a List would be a nifty idea

 

[ZanatWork]

Is that a new signature, Zan? :thumb::thumb::thumb: can't believe I'd've missed it

&
imho/wondering/hoping whether the most innovatively-interesting vehicles will be on the secret3rd platformitecture - - Flex is a definite candidate imho
:nerd: ...think making a List would be a nifty idea

I've had that sig for awhile, and still believe in it. Mercury remains my first car-brand love, and that'll never change.

As far as the Flex goes...far and away, the most comfortable/usable vehicle I've ever owned. It fits my life like a glove.

 

[Nihar Mazumdar]

This is why Citroen is my favorite brand. Not Ford. (4th Favorite after Citroen, Peugeot and Audi)

If Ford is paying attention, these are some more whitespace designs they could use.

 

[ZanatWork]

This is why Citroen is my favorite brand. Not Ford. (4th Favorite after Citroen, Peugeot and Audi)

If Ford is paying attention, these are some more whitespace designs they could use.

Pass.

All those flattened greenhouses fairly scream "claustrophobic driving experience", and other than that...eh..nothing all that original. The burgundy model's profile pic looks like the upcoming Focus squashed in a carnival mirror.