Ford wonders what a modern-day Model T might be like (hint, it's an EV)
Photo: KEVIN A. WILSON, Autoweek
Think that the SUV and/or CUV craze is a relatively new phenomenon? Peter Horbury, head of design for Ford in the Americas, suggests that the Ford Model T was really a crossover. He has a point, considering that the old-timer sat rather high off the ground (because of the shoddy roadways at the time) and featured a modular design capable of hauling people, stuff, or a combination of both.
Ford wonders what a modern-day version of the T may look like and what it would be powered by. To find out, Ford commissioned some young designers the task of modernizing the Tin Lizzy. The winning design, created by Dong Trang, a junior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, is an electric vehicle which features a removable battery. That battery is charged with on-board solar panels and an electricity-generating suspension system. The innovative modular structure can be converted from a hatchback to a pickup bed and can seat up to four passengers. Click past the break for some video of Trang explaining some of his concepts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin Nugent 8:45PM (5/05/2008)
You see no where is another hot innovative fun idea that money could be made off of but nobody wants to step up to the plate
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jamesFF 5:20PM (5/07/2008)
That's funny, the original Model T was competing against electric cars.
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LaughingTooHard 11:09PM (5/08/2008)
Simple, effective and logical changes to what most people consider a automobile to be.
Congrats to Dong in thinking that a Global design would the most efficient based on needs rather than wants.
Blending the multi-use energy storage, collapsible roof, fully modular interior and a suspension that converts movement to battery charge rather than waste heat, make for a well deserved win in this competition.
Thank you for your hard work
I'll take two!
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