Frankfurt Preview: Ford unveils stunning Verve Concept

The Ford Verve concept will be premiering at next month's Frankfurt International Motor Show, the blockbuster in motor shows. The Verve brings the firm's 'kinetic design momentum' to Ford's next-generation of small cars, taking cues from the iosis Concept and siblings such as the new Mondeo and S-Max. The Verve Concept is very much a bold expression of small-car vision.

But while certain design elements are likely to be ditched for production, this is the biggest clue yet as to the Fiesta's new look, while the concept hints too at the next-generation Ford Ka. The design very much embodies 'kinetic design', its front being dominated by a chromed gaping lower grille and sweeping headlights. A poised stance, sweeping side profile and subtly-designed additions at the rear including styled exhausts and lip spoiler contribute to the concept car's sporting intentions but are all likely to be shown the door for standard production variants. Beltline rear lights are however almost certain for the new Fiesta in favour of the previous-generation's pillar-mounted tail-lamps.

The first look at the next-gen Fiesta's interior reveals what could be a remarkably high-quality and design-led cabin, while the concept's full-length panoramic sunroof previews a future box on the options list.

The Verve Concept is one of three eye-catching concepts that the firm is to debut in key regions - Europe, Asia and North America - to gauge public opinion in helping to develop a new small-car portfolio for major world markets. Whether the next Fiesta will enter the US market unchanged from the European version remains to be seen, however given the conflict between 'kinetic' and 'three-bar' styles, it is expected that the new Fiesta will arrive on US shores largely unchanged.

Press Release

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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