Ford Indigo – From “Need for Speed” To The Road (almost)
FORD INDIGO
FORMULA INTERSTATE ‘96
Words by Carlo Brema
We do not talk a lot about concept cars – not much because they often represent a test bench for the stylistic choices that a brand will pour on future models, but because it is practically impossible to drive one, also due to the total lack of mechanical parts. Often numbers and performance figures stated in the technical sheets that accompany the exhibition to the general public of one of these concepts are only estimates and in most cases the short movements from the stage to the transport truck take place by pushing the vehicle, also because without engine, the weight is reduced. So why are we analyzing a 22 years ago concept car? First of all, the Ford Indigo Concept was one of those cases in which a prototype was equipped with a real working engine, two models were produced, one of which was marching and one for exhibition only.
The history of the Indigo is known to most thanks to the famous video game “Need for Speed 2”, but to be honest, the reality of the facts is compelling in equal measure, even without improbable pixelous flights, which over time are now old stuff. The Indigo Concept was in fact produced to overturn on the road some main features of racing cars taking part in the Formula Indy championship – hence the name. It can be defined as a technical exercise that interlaces with a stylistic exercise where the form is entirely devoted to the function. As for the Indy cars, there is in fact an extremely small car body developed to accommodate two people on board a minimalist but not necessarily uncomfortable interior, thanks to two quite comfy leather seats. The wheels are located outside the body and are covered by small black mudguards, which contribute to accentuate the contrast between the sharp design of the red body and that large skeleton cover in black plastic that hides engine and mechanical parts. Its teardrop shape is what makes the Indigo a spectacle for the eyes, with the back part literally detached, with a fixed spoiler that overhangs a cut-tail that integrates two pairs of tailpipes. The four wheels are located at the respective ends of the car and this, also confirmed by those lucky enough to drive it, has made the Indigo agile in the corners and perfectly able to manage the power released by its 435-horsepower V12. Just the engine, a powerful evolution of the 3-liter Duratec V6 that equipped the Ford Taurus, became a 6.0 and one of the key points of the car, which weighing only 1.043 kg was able to push the small fury from 0 to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of around 276 kph. The gearbox is a sequential 6-speed, combined with an only rear-wheel drive transmission, exactly as expected from a car with a racing soul. The thin windscreen, again son of a careful aerodynamic study, is there just to avoid a midges’ lunch at every drive.
Now let’s call into question its many points in common with Formula Indy race cars, the true focus of this project, hence we underline that we are dealing with a monocoque produced by the British Reynard Racing Cars (winner of the 1995 constructors championship in the CART/PPG Indy Car World Series) and composed of a central structure in carbon fiber, aluminum and composite materials. The fact of having a single piece as a structure for the cabin area, not only allows high safety standards, but also an optimal aerodynamic effect, with the air flows that could exploit the front spoiler and the openings available for the particular design of the car. The suspensions, both front and rear, are built with the same principle of those used in Formula Indy and produced by Reynard Racing too, with the only difference that for the front ones it was necessary to reduce the length and adapt the geometry, in order to allow having two seats in the cockpit. The gearbox is a sequential 6-speed (+ reverse), there are buttons on the steering wheel to go up and down; in this second case it is necessary to act on the clutch, which is also made of carbon fiber, while an electronic hydraulic system handles the gears while upshifting. Science fiction? No, the future at hand according to Ford.
It took only 6 months from the first projects to the realization of the Indigo, even less for the owner of the only marching specimen to destroy it in an accident, so that the last remaining Indigo was kept by Ford, although not marching and without that amazing V12 stowed in that tiny engine compartment. Even today, looking at that unique shape made even more futuristic by the use of HID lights on the thin front lip, the feeling that is transmitted to us is that of an Indy Car for the endless American interstate. With such a weapon, the need for speed would be satiated properly and never as in this case, a concept car has shown that it can be much more than a charming stylistic exercise. Too bad for the tragic end of the working one, but maybe destiny wanted that such a special car would remain unique, and above all properly unattainable.