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R7at the Melbourne International Motor Show 2002 - photo by
Douglas Bevan.
Released for the first time to the public at the 2002 Melbourne International Motor Show, there were no shortage of tongues wagging over this bright orange wonder that promises to revolutionize the face of the Australian motoring industry. So what - you may say - it's just another 4wd - or is it? Back when Geoff Polites first presented his case to Ford's US based Presidency, it received an incredibly rapturous reception rarely offered to anybody in the Ford empire.
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To put this further in perspective - Ford had just discovered it's worsening financial
predicament and waved one of Ford Australia's expected allies - Jack Nasser - a not so sweet goodbye.
Going to the US bag in hand things could not have looked worse - but Geoff Polites did not have to hold his breath for long as William Clay Ford and Ford's group of Vice Presidents endorsed what we see now with whole-heartedly, and the rest - as they say - is now history. |
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It would be safe to say that
the R7 has surpassed almost all expectations of what was expected of Ford
for it's entry to the Sports Utility sector - offering far more than the
traditional off-roader and approaching features only found on vehicles of
twice the price.
The "R7 crosses the current boundaries and definitions between traditional cars and sports utility vehicles" says Simon Butterworth in Ford's press releases on the R7. |
"R7 is a natural progression from (the R5)," Geoff Polites continued. "The good looks and range of applications possible with the R5 really captured the imagination of the public. R7 adds to the expectations of what is possible from a true life-style vehicle. The needs of Australian consumers are constantly changing - we want different things from our lives - and we also want new and different things from the vehicles we drive."
| Considering Ford's investment of $500 million in it's E265 program, it'd want to
be a bit more than just a jacked up Falcon too - far more than GM's $200 million
earmarked for it's 4wd Commodore program.
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So what can you expect from the R7 when it is finally released come 2004? Try this explanation given by Ford Australia Chief Designer, Simon Butterworth "Excellent interior accommodation ... is hinted at with this concept, (and) is matched only by the superior driving dynamics" Excellent interior accommodation? Surely a fact hinted at by the R7's name - considering the seating capacity of the R5 was - wait for it - five adults!
Unfortunately a peek inside of the R7 reveals little to the truth of this matter - as this was one concept vehicle that was just that - a concept. With flat sheeting covering the framework of what was essentially just a clay model (and a convincing one at that) seat backs were simply bolted into position on top giving the illusion of a full interior from the outside. As such the R7 gave it's fair share of trouble to those running the show at this year's Melbourne International Motor Show - told not to turn the lights up too bright lest it melt... NEXT - R7 Story Part 2.
Click on the above picture to go to part
2 of the R7 story...
(Back to AU History / Tech or forward to R7 Part 2.)
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Info By Doug Bevan, site by Anthony
Robinson.