As the population shifts back to the big cities, you'll need a rolling urban command center. Enter the SYNUS concept vehicle, a mobile techno sanctuary sculpted in urban armor and inspired by the popular B-cars of congested international hotspots. Short and slim for easy city maneuvering, it looks bank-vault tough on the outside - with intimidating and outrageous styling that even features a vault-style spinner handle in back with deadbolt door latching.

When parked and placed in secure mode, SYNUS deploys protective shutters over the windshield and side glass.

Small windows on the flanks and roof are non-opening and bullet-resistant. The SYNUS concept also signals security through its use of a driver-side dial operated combination lock on the B-pillar.

Flat glass in a slightly raked windshield furthers the armored-car look of this concept. Bold wheel arches make a design statement as well as accommodate the vehicle's exceptionally wide track.


On its welcoming inside, the SYNUS makes any mission possible. The interior can transform into a mini-home theater with multi-configuration seating and multi-media work station, all controlled by a Wi-Fi laptop.

Use the 45-inch flat-screen LCD from Sharp for Internet research, DVD viewing or any screening needs. Plus, you can monitor your surroundings in real time as seen by the rear-mounted cameras.

Driving SYNUS can be just as lively and efficient with a 2.0-liter diesel engine that delivers 134 horses and 236 foot-pounds of torque and is also designed to offer outstanding fuel economy.

DETROIT -- Tiny but tough is the design theme Ford Motor Co. is developing for its coming entry in the subcompact car segment.

Ford isn't revealing its subcompact, slated for U.S. introduction in 2007 or 2008. But recent show cars, including the SynUS concept that debuts Sunday at the Detroit auto show, hint at Ford's plans for the segment.

The SynUS, inspired by bank vaults and armored cars, is a boxy little sport wagon with bulletproof glass and doors that are 6 inches thick.

Despite many over-the-top elements - retractable metal shutters for its windows and a giant flat-screen monitor covering the inside tailgate - the SynUS features realistic touches aimed at the youthful buyers of subcompacts.

The concept's engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel borrowed from the European Ford Mondeo.

The SynUS is built on the platform used for the Ford Fiesta in Europe.

Ford designer Joe Baker says the Mini broke the mold in making a B-car desirable.

With its brawny version of Ford's three-bar grille, the concept also has touches of the Ford Bronco concept shown at the 2004 Detroit auto show.

The coming subcompact production car is likely to be derived from the Fiesta-based Ford EcoSport, an SUV-styled sport wagon sold in Latin America.

At less than 5 feet tall, the SynUS' tiny package counteracts any threatening imagery.

"Actually, it's just cute," Baker said. "If it was any larger, people probably would be freaked out by it."