| Concept Car Preview | Frankfurt Motor Show | Ford Verve |
Ford has put some serious energy in to developing its latest, rather important, Verve concept. It's an exciting looking vehicle and we believe it'll prove to be a close representation of the production model that replaces the Fiesta.
Ford has performed several studies, particularly focussing on female supermini owners in Europe, and gained approval for some of the more radical design features of the Verve, like the aggressive looking deep front grille and the unusual - for this segment at least - rake of the windscreen.
Ford's concept is likely to be a star of the forthcoming
Frankfurt show for its flagrant deviation in style from the
current generation Fiesta. Expect the familiar, but not so sporty sounding, Fiesta moniker to be 'under review' at the very least.
Striking from almost every angle, the Verve does a great job at grabbing your attention - that is what Ford wants, make no mistake about it. Your eyes are literally thrown across the vehicle by the way the headlights streak across the front wings. The coupé-style low slung windscreen and roofline serve to bestow the concept with an exceptionally aerodynamic appearance; this is Ford's 'kinetic design' language that initially featured on the
iosis concept and then the
new Mondeo, clearly doing its job we reckon.
The Ford Verve is the first of three concepts that will preview different versions of the new Fiesta; the other concepts will show a five-door version and also a four-door saloon, these are likely to feature at the
Detroit and Beijing motor shows respectively.
The concept makes use of the all-new platform utilised to good effect in the soon to be launched Mazda2. Unlike most model replacements the concept shares the current Fiesta's length and wheelbase, affirming Ford's intention to end 'dimension creep' in its offering in this segment; apparently an important finding of its research groups.
We expect the new Fiesta to be launched around the middle of next year; in three-door form initially. It will be powered by several Ford-PSA diesel engines and Ford-Mazda petrol units and needless to say is a pretty vital car for Ford in Europe.
Richard Tanner - 5 Sep 2007