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Global Concepts
Mercury (my)
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Designers and engineers evidently spent a lot of time considering different ways to get people and things in and out of the (my) mercury concept vehicle. The result of their considerations is what Ford Vice President of Design J. Mays calls a "modern coupe" with a large rear hatch that swings up from a short tailgate, taking with it, as a unit, amber-colored backside and rear windows. The tailgate extends out to create a large cargo area behind the four bucket seats. Front doors swing open conventionally and rear doors swing open to the back. Designed with maximum versatility combined with style, the four-wheel-drive concept demonstrates one vision for a multi-activity vehicle that blurs the boundaries between a car, a truck, and a sport utility vehicle.
(my) builds on the design direction already established for Mercury by other recent concept and production vehicles—the MC2 and MC4 concepts and the Mercury Cougar. Its silhouette is formed with an arching roof and hard-edged rear hatch line, accented by precise, flared wheel houses to create a bold, solid, grounded stance.
The technical, highly machined look of the exterior is carried over to the interior with aluminum-like accents and exposed framework. Exposed sheet metal on the C-pillar is designed to create a sense of safety and security. Uniquely designed bucket seats are mounted on polished aluminum arched tracks that create open space under the seat for plenty of leg room or storage space. The seats are leather-covered.
The front center console features an amber-colored mouse-like device that functions as the control for the radio, climate control, and global positioning systems; the display screen also is housed in the center of the dashboard, as are the tachometer, speedometer, and fuel gauge. Center mounting would allow for production of both left- and right-hand-drive versions.
The rear bucket seats fold down, and the floor of the cargo area extends over the back of the seats for a flat, expanded cargo space. With the rear tailgate extended, there is 1.8 m (6 ft) of cargo area.
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