The Interstate was a concept study produced by International Automotive Design, presented as a compact estate-style vehicle designed to meet the demands of a conventional multi-purpose car. Unlike the related Impact concept, the Interstate was not completed as a fully drivable vehicle, but it was designed with production feasibility in mind, described as capable of being put into production quickly if required.
Its technical layout was largely shared with the Impact, using a Ford 2.8-litre V6 engine paired with four-wheel drive. The engine, rated at 148 hp (150 PS) at 5800 rpm with 218 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm, was housed under a sound-insulated cover whose shape was visible on the bonnet surface. The car had smooth exterior surfaces with flush-fitting windows and an unusual inward curve at the rear of the front wheel arch.
The removable glass roof could be stowed in the luggage compartment and incorporated a recessed cargo tray bordered by rails, with removable cross rails to allow loading of longer items. A side-opening tailgate carried a cover for the spare wheel. Front and lower side sections were designed to be produced using reinforced reaction injection moulding (RRIM), a material able to withstand low-speed impacts up to 8 km/h. Suspension followed the Impact's independent design, with alloy wheels fitted with BF Goodrich Euro Radial T/A tyres sized 275/60 HR 15.
The three-door, five-seat estate used plastic body panels. It had a wheelbase of 2610 mm, a track of 1490 mm front and rear, measured 4220 mm long and 1750 mm wide, and weighed 1275 kg.
