Official press release:

TURIN, April 23 — Versatility and aerodynamic design

are united in a new concept station wagon with a raised roof     

the Ghia Vignale TSX-6 — created by Ford Motor Company’s Ghia Studio in Turin.

The sleek multi-function vehicle performs like a passenger car, a station wagon, a cargo carrier or even an urban pickup truck. "With the Ghia Vignale TSX-6 we want to demonstrate that versatility and functionality are not incompatible with modern design trends," said Donald F. Kopka, Ford vice president - Design. "In fact, the higher roof profile compliments the vehicle's aerodynamic design and enhances the Vignale TSX-6's multi-use capability."

The Ghia Vignale TSX-6 has three rows of seats on a midsized platform. There is seating for two in the front row, for three in the middle row and for two in the last row. All seats are forward facing. The raised roof enables the second and third row passengers to sit higher than the front seat passengers, thus providing better visibility and a feeling of spaciousness for passengers in the last two rows.

A seat-folding system is designed to serve a dual function:    the middle and rear rows of seats can be folded to make a double bed or a completely flat loading platform. A third option is a single bed plus half of the total loading capacity.

The Ghia Vignale TSX-6 also can be converted from a concept station wagon to a pickup style vehicle by moving the electrically controlled sliding rear roof section forward. That, combined with a bottom-hinged extendable rear tailgate, allows increased cargo capacity and thus permits tall objects to be transported. Flip-up rear quarter windows permit curbside loading or unloading.

The Ghia Vignale TSX-6's softly-rounded front is equipped with low profile mini-quad headlamps and a soft facia bumper that incorporates the cold air intake and flows into the stylish body surface.

The interior is lined with antique-style leather, and the seats are topped with feather-soft "comforter style" cushions covered with silk-type fabric, custom tailored in a-high-fashion color scheme and style. The instrument panel features an adjustable steering column, and all controls are ergonomically located.

The powertrain for the front-wheel-drive vehicle includes a 2.3-liter HSC (High Swirl Combustion) four-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection and EEC-IV engine controls teamed with three-speed automatic transaxle. The Ghia Vignale TSX-6 features independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar parallel four-link fully independent rear suspension, power front disc/rear drum brakes and power rack and pinion steering.

“The Ghia Vignale TSX-6 would not be out of place at La Scala, the stadium or making deliveries through the streets of Modena," said Mr. Kopka. "It would be an ideal family vehicle."

Dimensions:

Overall length    179.0    inches

Overall height    58.1    inches

Overall width    66.5    inches

Wheelbase    99.1    inches

Engine & performance:

Position: front

Type: 4-cylinder

Capacity: 2300 cc

Power: 87 hp @ 4000 rpm

Torque: 168 Nm @ 2800 rpm

Dimensions:

Length: 4550 mm

Width: 1690 mm

Height: 1475 mm

Wheelbase: 2520 mm