Installing a “powerwall” capable of projecting vehicle and concept designs in 3-D and virtual environments is among the ways Ford has upgraded its German design center in Merkenich-Cologne. The €11.6 million expansion also involves new milling machines that use CAD to create precise clay models of new vehicles for aerodynamic wind-tunnel testing, as well as redesigned existing studios. The center also features an open and fluid design that creates an atmosphere for effective communication and idea exchange, Ford says. It is home to the design and development team with global responsibility for small and compact vehicles, including the Fiesta and Focus. The 3000-m² (32,000-ft²) expansion brings the center’s total area to 16,000 m² (172,000 ft²).