Hoping to appeal to a more upscale clientele in Europe, the American car manufacturer is planning to launch Vignale, a new line of high-end vehicles, in early 2015. The luxury cars will come with deluxe features, Ford's most advanced technological developments, and a variety of exclusive services.
For the moment, Ford has presented its Mondeo Vignale concept in the form of a four-door sedan and a station wagon. The two concept cars stand out for their Vignale logos, 20-inch light alloy wheels, polished chrome door handles and side-view mirror caps, their distinctive front grille and their livery, in an exclusive "Nocciola" color.
The interior of the concept cars features polished chrome, stitched quilted leather seating and high-quality carpets, all in a style combining tradition and modernity, according to Ford.
Ford's latest technologies on board
In terms of equipment, the integrated Ford SYNC connectivity system, in combination with the MyFord Touch info-tainment system, makes it easy to sync up with smartphones and also provides a WiFi hotspot.
At the same time, Ford has developed an entirely automated park assist feature -- which allows drivers to park the vehicle from outside of it using a remote control -- as well as an obstacle avoidance system, which uses sensors to detect possible collisions, alerts the driver, and causes the car to swerve or brake if necessary to avoid a crash. These technologies are being designed precisely for use in the new Vignale cars.
Exclusive services
In line with the high-end positioning of the Vignale line, Ford plans to offer buyers of the car a personal welcome upon delivery of their new car, and to give them an exclusive leather bag with the Vignale logo. After purchase, they will be able to take advantage of services such as pick-up and drop-off of the vehicle for maintenance and repair work, as well as a lifetime of free car washes and invitations to special events. With this strategy, Vignale seems to be taking a cue from the treatments that many airlines reserve for their best clients.
The first Ford Mondeo Vignale vehicles, the sedan and station wagon, are expected to arrive in 2015. The name of Ford's prestigious new line dates from the mid-20th century, as Vignale was an Italian automobile and coach manufacturer acquired by a subsidiary of Ford.
