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New York Auto Show: Ford Caters to Family With Concept Van
Apr 06 2009 by Jennifer Newman
After a long road trip with our two sons this winter, my husband and I wished we had a temporary divider in our car that would separate us from our children and their noisy gadgets (and maybe occasional crying). Ford must have heard my cries for help, because its Transit Connect Family One concept van has just that.
The Transit Connect Family One concept was designed with family use in mind. It has two rows of seats with room for five, and besides the Plexiglas divider that separates the front passengers from the rear (don’t worry, it can be opened easily), it has under-floor storage for a folding stroller; a carpet-less floor for easy crumb cleanup; a built-in changing table; scooters mounted on the cargo door; large-screen TVs; a first-aid kit; walkie-talkies; and built-in dispensers for sunscreen and hand sanitizer.
Another standout feature is its radio frequency identification tags. Just hook one of these tags to your kindergartener’s backpack, and the Family One’s in-dash computer will notify you when the backpack isn’t in the car with you and the kids. Even better, it’ll tell you where the missing backpack is hidden. I’d want at least 100 of these tags to attach to coats, winter hats, bags, homework folders, etc. The Family One also has removable, washable seat covers and an awning that extends from the rear cargo doors when they’re opened.
It’s unlikely the Family One will make it to production. A lot of its features are over-the-top, but I’d love to see the radio frequency identification tags make it into a future car.
The base Transit work van, which is the basis of the Family One, gets 22/25 mpg city/highway and costs $20,780.
For all its incredible interior features, the Family One’s exterior is a bit of a turnoff. It looks clunky in the photos, with its white body color and electric-blue doors. Maybe it’ll look better in person. You can check it out at the New York auto show.
Beginning Wednesday, check out MotherProof.com’s coverage of the New York auto show. The show opens to the public on Friday and runs through April 19. Its hours are 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are available at the door or online, and they cost $14 for adults and $4 for children under 12, with $2 off for groups of 10 or more.
Good features. Too bad this car will not make it to production.