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Ford’s Interceptor concept shows a possible design direction for new Ford sedans. For information on current Ford products, go to Fordvehicles.com.

DEARBORN, Jan. 2, 2007 - In an effort to combine power, styling and functionality from the rolling icons of its history, Ford Motor Company is introducing the Ford Interceptor concept next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.The Interceptor comes equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox mated to a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine that delivers 400 horsepower and runs on E-85 ethanol. It is a powerful sedan that draws on the cues of one of last year’s big hits for Ford at Detroit’s auto show.

“The Ford Interceptor concept combines ‘Built Ford Tough’ attitude with the sporty elegance of ’60s Ford sedans,” said Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas. “This concept celebrates the best of American muscle. And if it looks familiar, it should. That’s because we’ve translated the design language of last year’s F-250 Super Chief pickup concept onto a car.”

In terms of exterior design, the Ford Interceptor concept features substantial, sometimes brutish, surfaces and sections and the traditional rear-wheel drive proportion that includes a short front overhang, extended dash-to-axle ratio, low cabin and higher beltline.

As a nod to performance purists, the ultimate muscle lies under the powered clamshell “shaker” hood, which caps a thoroughly detailed engine compartment.

The Interceptor concept features signature Ford design touches like the horizontal three-bar grille that is structurally integrated into the bumper beam as well as professionally applied “squircles” — or square circles — inside and out.

Inside, for instance, squircles finished with Titan Metal painted inserts accent the Ford Interceptor concept’s instrument panel, door trims, console, floor and four seats.

Its low-back seats, finished in thick black leather with exposed-edge seams and contrasting stitching, offer a modern touch to muscle car seats — along with headrests that deploy from the roof.

The concept’s minimalist interior is sleek, focusing the driver’s attention on the speedometer and tachometer, whose needles start at center and move opposite each other.

The audio control panel and climate controls are hidden — but deployable. And the gated six-speed shifter is exposed, just waiting to be thrown into gear.

For safety, the Interceptor concept incorporates Ford’s patented four-point “belt and suspenders” safety belt design in all four seats. This showcases a possible next-generation safety belt that is more comfortable and easier to use than traditional three-point belts.

Additionally, the rear seat is equipped with inflatable safety belts. As its name suggests, the inflatable rear safety belt fills with air during a crash.

A strap of air bag material is hidden in the seat belt webbing. The strap inflates into a cylindrical shape when frontal air bags deploy. The concept of inflatable belts is to spread forces from a vehicle crash over a broader section of the body than traditional safety belts, further helping to reduce the pressure on the chest and helping to control the motion of the head and neck.

Early research has shown that the inflatable belt may be effective for enhancing protection of the occupants in the rear seat. Preliminary consumer research indicated that the thicker safety belt (when not inflated) seemed more comfortable to some people, as compared with a standard safety belt, because it felt like it was padded.

The Interceptor concept’s 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine is an upgraded variant of the 4.6-liter engine under the hood of the current production Mustang GT. The Cammer modular engine has powered Ford Racing’s FR500C race car to the top of the Grand Am Cup’s GS class, achieving five victories on its way to the Drivers, Manufacturers and Team Championships in its first season of competition.