Autoblog

click above for more high-res images of the Ford Verve Concept

The rise in gas prices has increased demand for smaller, more fuel efficient cars in the American market, a call to which Ford has so far only paid lip service. The debut of the 2008 Focus at last year's Detroit Auto Show following the debut of several recent European market models like the Mondeo also caused people to call on Ford to bring its European Kinetic design to the U.S. Ford has finally responded on both counts, or at least it will for 2010 when the production version of this concept finally goes on sale here.

The Verve debuted as a three-door hatch at the Frankfurt Motor Show and then grew a trunk at a Chinese show last fall. It now comes to Detroit with a revised front fascia and taillights. The Verve certainly brings a new level of style that small US market Fords have lacked for a long time. Ford doesn't specify which fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine the Verve will get, but the 1.4L EcoBoost and the PowerShift dual clutch transmission would seem like a prime choice for the US market.

UPDATE: Gallery now contains 34 high-res pics

[Source: Ford]