Saturday, August 25, 2007

Frankfurt: Ford Verve Concept

Ford has released all the official goodies regarding their newest concept car, the Verve. The name can be misleading, but this is none other than a concept preview of the next Fiesta B-segment vehicle. The good news is North Americans will be getting it as well, as the demand for cheap and fuel efficient vehicles grow everyday. The precursor of the Fiesta follows the kinetic design theme, already utilized on the Mondeo, S-MAX and the new Kuga. The front end is highlighted by a massive chrome-slat grille. The side and rear, however, look production-ready and certainly more civilian.

We take a look at the interior and we're mighty impressed as well, regardless of its concept status. The interior is likely to be carried out nearly identical when the Fiesta hits European showrooms in late 2008. The Fiesta, which will share platform with the Mazda2, will also be available in our local Lincoln/Ford/Mercury dealerships in spring of 2009. Alan Mulally desperately wants the European Fords sold in North America too. He knows they're better than what we got. Continue reading to view a hi-res image gallery and the official press release.

[Source: Ford]



PRESS RELEASE: Ford Verve Concept Hints at Ford's Future Small-Car Design Vision

FRANKFURT, Germany--Ford Verve Concept - a bold and colourful concept car to be revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show - gives the first hints of Ford's future small-car design vision.

The significance of the Ford Verve Concept is that it's the first physical evidence of the design direction for an all-new small Ford since it was announced earlier this year that the European arm of the company's global Product Development group is taking the design and engineering lead in creating a new small-car portfolio for major world markets. The Ford Verve Concept is the first of three concept vehicles which will debut in key regions - Europe, Asia and North America.

"Ford Verve Concept is presented here in Frankfurt as a bespoke concept car to generate reactions while our production plans are taking shape," said John Fleming, President and CEO of Ford of Europe. "Our Design team took an unrestrained approach to how our future small cars could look, and this eye-catching concept was one of the results. If we get the reaction we expect, I'm certain that the team will incorporate elements of this advanced design vision into our final production design. This will make the next generation of small cars from Ford very compelling indeed."

Finished in rich colours and distinctive materials inspired by the world of fashion and cosmetics, the Ford Verve Concept was created by a team of designers from Ford's studios in Dunton, England, and Cologne, Germany.

Building on the kinetic design momentum of Ford's recent iosis and iosis X concept cars, and the more premium feel of production models like the new Ford Mondeo, the Ford Verve Concept is a bold expression of a small-car vision.

As product development of a new generation of Ford small cars continues behind the scenes, Ford of Europe is hoping to gauge public reaction to the Ford Verve Concept during the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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