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Today In Ford History--jan. 5
On Jan. 5, 1998, Ford Motor Company unveiled its first P2000-a lightweight, family sedan prototype that gets 63 miles per gallon. It was the first in a series of research vehicles in Ford’s pursuit of that elusive combination: a low-emissions, fuel efficient family car with no compromise in safety, performance, durability, functionality and comfort.
With extensive use of aluminum, titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber, the P2000 research platform weighed 2,000 pounds, about 40 percent less than a standard Ford Taurus. The first version had an aluminum direct injection engine, while later versions of the P2000 were powered by hydrogen internal combustion, hybrid electric and fuel cell powerplants.
Much of the technology developed in the P2000 program will appear in future Ford vehicles, including the Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicle later this year and the fuel cell Focus that will be available to fleet customers in 2004.
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*Retired.
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