Ford’s SYNUS Diesel Urban Concept B-car
08 January 2005
At the NAIAS in Detroit, Ford unveiled a small diesel-powered urban concept car, the SYNUS. The SYNUS comes from the Ford Fiesta architecture, and is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder diesel engine. The Fiesta is smaller than the Ford Focus, and is known as a B-segment car.
Popular in other markets because of narrow streets and dense traffic, B-cars are almost unknown in the US. Given increasing urbanization, however, Ford thinks that “the time may finally be at hand for the B-car market in the United States”.
The 2.0-liter 16-valve diesel engine in the SYNUS is taken from the Ford Mondeo sedan and delivers 134 hp (100 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.
In the Mondeo (Ford did not release fuel and emissions data for the concept vehicle), the Duratorq diesel engine with a manual transmission (as in the SYNUS) generates combined cycle (European) fuel consumption of 6.0 liters per 100 km (39 mpg US) and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 9.8 seconds. The Mondeo emits 159 g/km CO2.
With the SYNUS, Ford is promoting the use of B20 biodiesel.
The SYNUS concept is suited to bio-mass diesel fuel. Twenty percent of every gallon of this blend is bio-mass diesel; the other 80 percent is traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel. Non-toxic and biodegradable, bio-mass diesel is made from such things as agricultural products and even recycled restaurant grease. Unlike oil, these sources are readily renewable.
Not only would reliance on bio-mass reduce the need for petroleum, that reduced need would eliminate or delay the need to extract petroleum from areas with fragile ecosystems.
Playing the diesel/biodiesel card makes a great deal of sense for Ford, especially given its strength in diesel engines via its work with PSA. Assuming the diesel market for passenger cars in the US begins growing, Ford could reclaim some of the marketshare it has lost.
A note on the design. The SYNUS looks like a little armored car. When parked and placed in secure mode, SYNUS deploys protective shutters over the windshield and side glass. Small windows on the flanks and roof are non-opening and bullet-resistant. The rear hatch has no window at all, and opens with a vault-style four-spoke spinner. The driver’s door is opened with a combination lock.
A 45-inch LCD panel from Sharp acts as the rear window while the vehicle is underway and allows the driver to get a high-definition, closed circuit view outside the vehicle from tiny, exterior cameras. The LCD screen acts as a multimedia hub that connects to a wireless internet system, a PC controller, videos or electronic games.
Love the idea of an urban diesel, but do we really need to be protected by an armored car? Looks like the design team went a bit militia on us...
Posted by: Michael | 08 January 2005 at 10:07 PM
They need to make larger fenders to protect the wheels from enemy fire.
A 21st century gangster car for sure.
these people are very conected, are they expecting anarchy or warfare in the cities?
It is the natural progression of globalism after all.
Posted by: gangster | 09 January 2005 at 11:42 AM
Leave it to Ford to put out a concept car that lame: Put out a subcompact diesel car because you know there's pent-up demand, but make sure it's an utter failure because of crappy packaging.
What were they smoking when they dreamt up that stupid armored-car concept?! Bulletproof windows, retractable shields, and a spinning-spokes wheel like on a bank-vault? Give me a break!
With that rear hatch having no window at all, and a stupid teevee screen acting as the rear window while the vehicle is underway, the rear view is gonna suck.
A two-dimensional rear view will totally eliminate all possibility of depth perception while reversing. ...All in the name of the armored concept.
It begs the question: Are they trying to appeal to drug-dealers? Or are they thinking that ATM maintenance companies want to miniaturize their fleets? Or that people who want to drive enviro-friendly cars live in crime-ridden neighborhoods?
Okay, okay, I realize it's just a concept, but I wish they hadn't burdened a cute little diesel with this lame idea.
Posted by: John | 09 January 2005 at 08:34 PM
I wonder if the aftermarket folks will design a machine gun mount for the roof! especialy if it is fitted with a sun roof. After all you can still purchase assault weapons.
Posted by: Alan | 11 January 2005 at 07:52 PM
This concept vehicle is exactly what an urban drive like my self needs. I don’t think it’s over the top with all the armor and personal protection items. Living in NYC I can really appreciate Ford’s concept and I can wait to get one.
Posted by: SeviceTech | 13 January 2005 at 05:54 AM
you know, I think I'll buy a SYNUS just to make the quiet people in my suburbs scratch their heads once I lock the car down. If the base price gets around 28k, then we're in business. side note: I already drive a VW GTi, and I would LOVE armor plating, that would be cool.
Posted by: Buttons | 13 January 2005 at 09:15 AM
I THINK THE CAR IS HOT!!!! YOU HAVE ALOT OF PEOPLE MAKING THERE CARS BULLETPROOF ANYWAY. IF YOU HAVE A FENCE AND GARD DOGS AND AN ALARM IN YOUR HOME TO FEEL SAFE, WHY NOT FEEL SAFE IN YOUR VEHICEL? TO SOME PEOPLE THIS MAY BE REDICULUS BUT BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN. WITH THE GROWING THREAT OF TERRORISM AND CRIME RATE SKYROCKETING I THINK THE CAR IS COOL AND I WOULD DEFINATELY BUY IT.I AM NOW SAVING FOR THE 2005 CHRYSLER 300C AND IF THIS CAR COMES OUT B-4 I GET THE 300 IM GONNA BUY IT WITHOUT A DOUBT. NOT ONLY IS IT SAFE BUT IT IS A HEAD TURNER! YOU WILL HAVE EVERYONE WONDERING WHAT IT IS AND WHATS INSIDE. UNLESS YOU R INTO FAST CARS(WHICH IM NOT)THE 2.0 LITERS AND THE 4cyl IS PERFECT AS FAR AS FUEL ECONOMY AND 4cyl LASTS LONGER THAT 6. ANYWAY I CANT WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT ITS AS GOOD AS BROUGHT!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MONTE OF STATEN ISLAND | 16 January 2005 at 02:55 PM
WATCH THIS SPACE!
I think, perhaps, maybe they have some enemies already!!
E. Codiesel
Posted by: Mr. E. Codiesel | 27 February 2005 at 01:29 PM
Yes ,this is very nice concept, many people have threat of enemies, terrorist especially for politicians, so i think this car will have better market, if it brought to politicians of "INDIA"
Posted by: ATUL MAHAJAN, YAVATMAL,(INDIA) | 22 March 2005 at 08:56 PM
I have never really been all that impressed with Ford; however some of their new concepts and hybrids look very promising. In regards to Ford’s SYNUS Diesel Urban Concept B-car it's pretty darn cool. If it were availble I would definately check it out before I made any purchases.
Posted by: Canada | 02 June 2005 at 11:08 AM
320 of torque in a fiesta!!! It's not only ridicullous it's dangerous!
6l looks cool bus I've been driving a focus diesel for 4 years and it takes 5,5l/100kms.
My wife drives a citroen diesel (C3 a fiesta like car) that needs 4,5 l/100kms with the air conditioning on.
Posted by: David | 18 August 2005 at 08:17 AM
I AM LOOKING TO CONCERT MY B 4000 MAZDA TRUCK TO PROPANE GAS .DO YOU HAVE SUCH A KIT?
JOSE
Posted by: JOSE E | 21 November 2005 at 09:15 PM
its pronounced sin eus
Posted by: hi | 23 November 2005 at 04:08 AM