Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Ford
Frankfurt Preview: Ford Verve Concept
click above image for gallery of high-res pics
Behold the Verve Concept, Ford of Europe's B-car concept that will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Sketches of the car appeared yesterday, and judging from our gallery of high-res pics, they seem to have been accurate. Pegged as the precursor to Ford's upcoming redesign for the Fiesta, the Verve Concept blends "Kinetic Design" elements inspired by the Iosis Concept that have trickled down into production cars like the new Mondeo and S-Max. In this case, the cat-like slit headlights dominate the small car's front end, along with a rather oversized lower grille. The rear features taillights above the belt line, a center-mounted exhaust, and small lip spoiler above the hatch. We can also see that the Verve's roof is all dark-tinted glass. Aside from the out-of-proportion front grille, our only gripe with the Verve are those chrome plated wheels that look decidedly aftermarket, and not in a good way.
Clearly the new Fiesta will be toned down compared to the Verve when it arrives late in 2008, but this concept is not hiding much. The Fiesta will share a platform with the new Mazda2, and eventually cross the ocean to be sold in the U.S., as well. Considering Ford's current financial strain, and regardless of clashing design themes (Kinetic vs. Three-Bar), we expect the European Fiesta to arrive for sale in the U.S. with little alteration.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Gallery: Ford Verve Concept
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
EM 11:13AM (8/23/2007)
Looks very much like a Mazda concept. Which is a good thing, in my opinion.
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Ligor 11:17AM (8/23/2007)
that's a fresh idea from Ford
question is, is it for Europe only?
This could be the nw Focus, with some character line added to the sides
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Chase 11:17AM (8/23/2007)
Yeah, that would be an awesome car for under 9,000 euros. When you are paying that much, if the design is even acceptable you are lucky -- and this thing looks pretty awesome.
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DP 11:18AM (8/23/2007)
Hallelujah! The sketch pictures were actually representative of the real car! Hopefully this will get to the USA soon.
(With those 'cat-eye' headlights, this could be used by Mercury and called the Cougar!) In fact, Ford should consider bring Ford-of-Europe designs here wholesale, and badge them as Mercury, and move that brand to be a trendy, European style brand. (Instead of weakly chromed Fords)
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SPG 2:28PM (8/23/2007)
I have been thinking the same thing ever since the second last Mondeo came out.
Let's hope that Ford feels the same way that we (and I'm guessing quite a few other people) do and move forward with this idea.
However it looks like the Mercury brand (which you can't even get in Canada any longer) is destined to fail which is actually pretty sad.
It'll be a lesser tragedy the Oldsmobile but still.......
John P. 11:21AM (8/23/2007)
Sign me up. I want one. Now, Mr. M. Bring it over NOW and don't wreck it with the generic looking Gillette Fusion grill.
Pretty Please?
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Richard 11:22AM (8/23/2007)
Yeah!
Nice.
I would rather have the Citroen that inspired it.
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Yaroukh 3:34PM (8/23/2007)
quality of Euro-Ford products is superioir to Citroen's
alfredo 11:30AM (8/23/2007)
I like it very much...and I would buy consider buying one if it came to the US, but what's up w/ all the pink? Even the seatbelt's that color. Is this suppose to appeal to females instead of males?
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Tim UF 11:30AM (8/23/2007)
screw the "Bold" design language and chrome bars... this is far more interesting... and yea, its likely a sibling to the mazda2... not a bad thing
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Rene Curry 11:30AM (8/23/2007)
My first thought was it was a Chrysler when I seen the picture.
That small upper grille just below the hood looks like a sweeping Chrysler logo belongs there.
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Philip 11:30AM (8/23/2007)
Im not a American Ford fan as such but that car is a winner, I love the Design and that Magenta color, Check out the Interior, That is an expensive top of the line model, Id bet it would be sold as a Ghia model in Europe.
I hope it comes here unchanged, if not Ford have on themselves to blame.
Its not a focus as someone commented, to see the European Focus go to Ford.co.uk
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A.N.E. 11:33AM (8/23/2007)
Looks like a macho-grilled Mazda2.
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Jared 11:34AM (8/23/2007)
Now that is a beautiful car. If only Ford would sell it in the US...
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Nellydesign 1:26PM (8/23/2007)
I swear the people on this site are illiterate. READ THE PRINT! Its coming here.
Jared 1:30PM (8/23/2007)
Nellydesign: I read that just fine. The thing is, I don't believe it -- Ford and GM have disappointed us in that regard too often in the past.
rwcmick 8:51PM (8/23/2007)
it's coming to the usa...but as a sedan. boo hiss
Jared 11:35AM (8/23/2007)
I like it a lot. In so many ways, it's one of the nicest looking interiors I've seen. But...I can't wait until they pass up on it and build nothing like it so we can just get on as normal.
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Brad 11:36AM (8/23/2007)
Wow a car that looks promising!
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geo.stewart 11:37AM (8/23/2007)
I like it.
it looks, from the pictures, proportioned more like a C-class or Focus version rather than B-class vehicle.
So, does that make it too small inside? hope not. would guess not.
but yeah, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
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