Ford Australia will introduce a “Smart Drive” outdoor experience at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week.
The 4600 sq m “Smart Drive” experience is aimed at engaging showgoers with first-hand exposure to Ford’s show lineup and provide them with the opportunity to check out the features of Ford’s key show vehicles.
“The Ford stand is dynamic and the ‘Smart Drive’ experience is a key part of our strategy to showcase our Smart technologies and stimulate participation in a really exciting drive experience at the show,” Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano said.
“Our show stands are known for their customer involvement, creativity and energy and this year we wanted to take it to the next level,” he said.
“The Darling Harbour precinct is a perfect location for our ‘Smart Drive’ experience. It’s only 10 metres from the main Darling Harbour entrance and will be a must-see experience for all visitors to the show.”
“Smart Drive” links directly with Ford Australia’s indoors showroom exhibit, which showcases the future direction of Ford’s vehicles and technology.
As part of “Smart Drive”, Ford Australia has an undercover static display of 14 vehicles from its range – including Fiesta, Focus, Focus ST, Mondeo EcoBoost, Falcon G6E and XR6 ute – right through to the Ranger pickup. FPV’s GT RSPEC and Pursuit Ute will also be on display along with the Ford Performance Racing’s 2013 Car of the Future.
Showgoers will also be able to participate in a 10-minute “smart drive” of the new Focus Titanium, all-new Ford Kuga and Ranger Wildtrak around a specially constructed course that will highlight key technologies and capabilities of the vehicles.
Some of those technologies in the new Focus Titanium include Active City Stop, Active Park Assist and SYNC connectivity. Ford personnel will also demonstrate the new “open sesame” automatic tailgate in the Ford Kuga and there will be a “dyno” display showcasing the EcoBoost engine in the Falcon.
To demonstrate the Ranger’s off-road prowess, showgoers will be able to experience the tough truck’s Hill Descent / Ascent Control as it climbs over a specially created track.
The ‘Smart Drive’ display has been created using large shipping containers painted in Ford Blue Oval livery, which have been strategically placed to provide a partial off-road course for the Ranger, as well as dedicated areas to demonstrate the Focus Titanium’s Active Park Assist technology. Up to seven vehicles will circulate around the specially built track during the 10 days of the show.
Five other vehicles – including Ford Performance Racing’s V8 Supercar, will be stacked on the shipping containers to create a standout presence at the show.
Ford’s motor show stands in Australia have consistently had the longest dwell-times – the time showgoers spend on a particular stand.
The Ford stand at the last Sydney motor show won the converted Australian Event of the Year award in 2010, with independent research by the show organisers placing the Ford experience as the stand that had the most impact.
“The combination of Ford’s showroom of the future and the massive hands-on ‘Smart Drive’ experience demonstrate how Ford is Going Further to deliver a really memorable experience for all show visitors,” Graziano said.
Ford Smart Drive Experience
Outside Display
Fiesta Metal
Focus ST
Focus Trend sedan
All-New Ford Kuga
Territory Titanium
Mondeo Titanium EcoBoost hatch
Mondeo Zetec wagon
Falcon G6E EcoBoost
Falcon XR6 EcoLPi Ute
FPR “Car of The Future”
Ranger
Outdoors Smart Drive Track
Focus Titanium
Ford Kuga
Ranger Wildtrak
Ranger (with accessories)
Container Display
Fiesta Zetec sedan
Focus Titanium sedan
Focus Titanium hatch
Ford Kuga Titanium
FPR