FIRST ROW BUILT FOR DRIVING

The driver zone is marked by a strikingly low dash to aid visibility, finished with an oak and maple bentwood laminate derived from the furniture industry. The exposed wood-grain finish speaks to the vehicle's modernity and authenticity. This same wood finish trims the door panels, accented with brushed-aluminum window and door-lock controls, and second-row seat bolsters.

The modern, user-friendly instrument panel is wrapped in light tan leather and decked with exposed-grain bentwood. The large, circular speedometer and tachometer are trimmed in brushed aluminum and housed underneath a uniquely segmented portion of the bentwood that is subtly raised from the rest of the dash.

This wood treatment also appears on the two middle roof pillars (B and C pillars) as part of the unifying, sophisticated design theme. Two similarly styled smaller circular gauges for fuel and oil measurements flank the large gauges.

A tasteful, two-spoke steering wheel is accented with tan leather handgrips that extend from each spoke and match the seats. The center console tunnel includes a large storage bin with a tan leather flip-up cover.

The console is trimmed with brushed aluminum that extends to the forward tunnel area – with two exposed map storage bins – and flows into a center stack with radio and climate control functions. The controls' simple, modern design keeps the dash free of clutter, while placing all necessary functions within easy reach.

Heating and cooling are supplied through an air vent that runs the entire length of the dash. Located just below the bentwood dash, this vent includes numerous directional fins that provide even distribution of air throughout the cabin.

The tan leather front-row seats offer comfort and Command Seating™, thanks to a relatively high seating position and side bolsters that are rare in people movers. The front seatbacks are finished in an extremely durable woven material that helps make the transition to the second zone.

This material, being used for the first time in a vehicle, is made from recycled paper by Lloyd Loom, a home décor company based in the United Kingdom since 1917. The material is known for timeless elegance and sophistication, as well as its unique ability to resist scuffs and water. It also accents the door panels and second-row armrests.

FIRST-CLASS SECOND ROW

The second-row zone is the most revolutionary interior statement, taking first-class aircraft seating to new heights. Covered in a closely woven canvas like the roof perimeter, the two reclining club chair-type seats offer luxurious adult-size comfort, best-in-class reclining angles and easy, flat-folding capability for maximum cargo capacity. They also offer first-of-its-kind storage with four separate bins, one in each armrest.

"The Fairlane's second row seats put limousine seats to shame," says Tomasson. "They are luxurious for adult passengers and game-friendly for kids."

The subtle change in seat materials helps create a unique atmosphere. The door panel and roof treatments, however, tie the zones together with the same design theme and materials selection. A roof-mounted center DVD screen and easy-to-access DVD player that slides from the rear of the center console conveniently offer the latest entertainment options.

The seatbacks are shod in a good-looking, easily washable stainless steel finish that starts the transition to the rear zone. These seats quickly and easily fold flat to open cargo space or entry space into the third-row seats.

THIRD ZONE – UTILITY PLAYER DOES IT ALL

The third row is built for maximum utility and flexibility so Fairlane can be as useful at the destination as it is on the journey. The third-zone design communicates a utilitarian space with a sophisticated, yet practical, stainless steel-finish load floor and functional elements.

Second- and third-row seatbacks fold flat to reveal this spacious and durable load floor that easily washes free of debris, from wet camping gear or your muddy Labradors. The industry-first triple-action rear door opens to the left or right and the flipglass opens upward for convenient loading in almost any situation. The novel upper glass section can be opened to load smaller items or to protect the prep area.

"The second- and third-row zones give you the luxury of flexibility that matches Fairlane's ability to move in and out of different settings with ease," says Tomasson. "The Fairlane allows you to be the chef at a family picnic or take your friends to the finest restaurant in the city."

The rear zone's home design theme continues with a unique all-in-one food storage and preparation area integrated into the rear door. This unique rolling galley includes a brushed stainless steel refrigerator and food preparation tray that fold down from the rear tailgate. The tray comes complete with molded-in bowls for chips and salsa.

BUILT-IN SAFETY

The Fairlane, like all Ford people movers, raises the bar for safety with a long list of advanced safety technologies, such as the Safety Canopy™ rollover protection system and Ford's Personal Safety System™ with dual-deployment front air bags, energy-absorbing safety belts and load-limiting retractors.

SOLID FOUNDATION

The Ford Fairlane concept rides on an all-wheel drive version of the company's mid-size CD3 architecture, with fully independent front and rear suspensions. The Fairlane is the first CD3-based people-mover concept, demonstrating the architecture's flexibility next to its production mid-size-sedan cousins – the 2006 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr.

This architecture will eventually be the basis for up to ten unique vehicles in North America and approximately 800,000 vehicles annually over time.

The Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) and electronic throttle control. It could deliver the smooth, spirited performance, along with good fuel economy and very low emissions ratings that are enjoyed in production versions.

The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with wider ratios that allow this smaller, more fuel-efficient engine to deliver smooth, consistent shifts and great low-end torque and performance feel.

More photos...

Source: Ford Motor Company