Admittedly, the beautifully crafted aluminium body of the
classic Airstream caravan isn’t your average house on wheels. But then
Ford’s radical interpretation of it hasn’t created an average car
either... which is exactly why we had to drive it!
There’s no doubt that Ford’s take on the Airstream brings the notion of
caravanning right into the 21st century. It features a wheel in each
corner stance and aluminium coloured bodywork, as well as chrome inserts
that shimmer in the sun.
Inside, the cabin is equally wild.
Apparently, the designers’ other key inspiration was the classic film
2001: A Space Odyssey. As a result, the driver’s door is supposed to
represent the escape hatch in a spacecraft, so it’s awkward to climb
through.
Once inside, the seats are surprisingly comfortable,
while the dash is smooth white plastic, and stretches away in front of
you in classic MPV style. The driving position isn’t bad, either, but
rather van-like with pedals that feel as if they’re beneath you rather
than in front.
On the road, it’s clear the Airstream has been
built more to be looked at than to drive. The steering requires a
bodybuilder’s arms and the length of the wheelbase means this isn’t the
most manoeuvrable motor around, and far from nimble.
Ford says
it’s in the back that it expects people to be having the real fun.
Rather than being laid out in consecutive rows, the chairs are
positioned around the edge, so it’s a much more sociable environment
than conventional MPVs. The centrepiece of the rear is a 360-degree
screen called a Dynascan. It actually resembles the Time Rotor part of
the console in Dr Who’s Tardis, but it could play a part in future
models.
Ford claims that the screen is the smallest of its kind
ever made, and you can use it to play games on, or even simply as a
decoration. At the Detroit Motor Show – where this model was first shown
off – bosses had it replicating a lava lamp and the flames of a fire.
However,
perhaps the most serious part of this car is the power source. Just
like the Ford Edge we have already driven it features the firm’s
electric- hydrogen fuel cell HySeries Drive.
The lithium ion
battery is charged up from the mains supply. When this runs down to 40
per cent of its power, the hydrogen fuel cell seamlessly steps in to
recharge it. This gives the vehicle a range of about 225 miles, until
both the batteries and hydrogen are exhausted.
The system works
remarkably well, with instant power delivery, thanks to the Airstream’s
two electric motors – one over either axle, offering all their available
torque in one lump. It’s quiet, too.
The only noise that you
hear is a whirring sound as the vehicle rolls away. However, that’s soon
drowned out by the wind. And of course, the only emissions that the
Airstream kicks out are water and hot air, so the environment is the big
winner.
But the most impressive thing about the Airstream is its
sheer size. The dimensions are about the same as the Range Rover
Sport’s, although with its paintjob it looks bigger. And that means this
is one MPV you wouldn’t lose in the supermarket car park on a Saturday
afternoon.
Rival: Citroen C4 Picasso
While it can’t claim to have links to classic American caravans, the Citroen Picasso is one of the most exciting looking people carriers on the market. With up to seven seats it’s also extremely practical, and there are a range of efficient diesel engines, too.
Key specs
* Engine: Twin 65kW electric motors
* Power source: Lithium ion batteries, 35kW hydrogen fuel cell
* 0-62mph: 15 seconds
* Top speed: 80mph (limited)
* Economy: Equivalent to 40mpg
* CO2: None
* Standard equipment: Four-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, Dynascan in-car entertainment, 360˚ TV screen, dash-mounted power read out, electric tailgate, front-wing-mounted video camera
* On sale: Not yet!
* Power source: Lithium ion batteries, 35kW hydrogen fuel cell
* 0-62mph: 15 seconds
* Top speed: 80mph (limited)
* Economy: Equivalent to 40mpg
* CO2: None
* Standard equipment: Four-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels, Dynascan in-car entertainment, 360˚ TV screen, dash-mounted power read out, electric tailgate, front-wing-mounted video camera
* On sale: Not yet!
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