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"Ford has released technical details and images of the Evos Concept\u2014a fastback sedan with gullwing-style doors and hybrid powertrain\u2014ahead of the car&amp;#039;s official debut next month during the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Evos is intended to offer hints regarding Ford&amp;#039;s design direction, along with new engineering solutions aimed at improving fuel efficiency. The car also includes upcoming developments of Ford&amp;#039;s Sync in-vehicle communications technology, along with other features intended to take the stress out of driving.   &amp;quot;The Ford Evos Concept unites three key elements which are at the core of our One Ford global product strategy: outstanding design, smart technologies and fuel economy leadership,&amp;quot; said Derrick Kuzak, Ford&amp;#039;s group vice president of Global Product Development. &amp;quot;While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products around the world will display many of the distinctive design ideas and advanced technologies it showcases.&amp;quot;    Hybrid Powertrain   One key element of the Evos that is set to have a role in a future Ford product is the concept car&amp;#039;s plug-in hybrid powertrain. This is the same one you&amp;#039;ll find in the upcoming C-Max Energi, a petite minivan shown during the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Using an Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine coupled to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, the C-Max Energi will have a driving range in excess of 500 miles, says Ford. There will be an electric-only drive mode, though no details about range have been released. Ford is likely targeting the Chevrolet Volt plug-in, which has an EV driving range of approximately 35 miles before its gas engine kicks in.   Ford is also showcasing in-car technology that monitors the driver and adapts the cabin accordingly. For example, when tackling a serious set of corners at high speed, the instrument panel knows to display a minimum of gauges to avoid distractions. The driver&amp;#039;s connected smartphone will also go into a &amp;quot;Do Not Disturb&amp;quot; mode. The Evos could also potentially `learn&amp;#039; your driving habits and routine routes, and tailor engine power to maximize performance and fuel efficiency.    Ford Design of the Future   The gullwing doors aren&amp;#039;t likely to make production, sorry. While clever in design and execution\u2014when raised the rear doors take the rear fenders with them\u2014don&amp;#039;t bet on this showing up in a Ford showroom. Yet features such as the razor-thin headlights and fastback sedan body style could figure into Ford&amp;#039;s product portfolio sooner rather than later. The front of the Evos already bears a striking resemblance to the face-lifted 2013 Ford Taurus, shown during this year&amp;#039;s New York Auto Show. Ford says the rounded windshield and A-pillars set farther back give the Evos Concept the feel of a &amp;quot;classic GT car.&amp;quot; Could the Evos also hint at the design direction of the next Mustang?   The rear of the Ford Evos Concept includes sleek LED taillights, a large central exhaust, and steeply raked rear screen. &amp;quot;We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading\u2014shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a strong premium visual appeal, and above all, are stunningly beautiful,&amp;quot; said J Mays, Ford&amp;#039;s Design boss.   "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/frankfurt-auto-show/news/a17611/ford-evos-concept/?click=main_sr>