Ford has shown an exciting V6 sports coupé, the Visos, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It hints what we can expect from future Fords and it also means that the legendary Capri is going to make a comeback!

According to Ford, the Visos whispers passion in every curve, every seam, and every angle. It builds on a history of Ford icons like the Model-T, the GT 40, the original Escort, the Puma and the Capri.

The Visos is a showcase for new ideas in automotive electronics, use of space, and interaction between man and machine. Ford says it is about the future of the blue oval.

The inside bristles with LCD panels and futuristic controls, while the outside remains sleek thanks to "Active Surfacing". This is a technique that sees the technologies of the vehicle hidden, until they are called for by the driver, the road condition or the vehicle's dynamics.

Comfortably fitting four adults into a sleek, sports coupé silhouette that is only marginally longer than a Focus, is unprecedented.

By giving the Visos dramatic, wide shoulders, Ford were able to move equipment that would normally be found behind the instrument panel, into the car's flanks. This allowed Ford to dramatically decrease the size of the dashboard itself, freeing up valuable cabin space.

The doors open in a conventional way, but are extended to cut deep into the roofline. The roof lifts up and folds inward on either side, for easy access to the rear seats.

Despite interior space that is appropriate to a luxury touring car, Ford managed to retain the energetic lines of a sports coupé. The B-pillar is also hidden behind the side-window glass, and Ford created a sharply curved C-pillar to give a distinctively Ford look to the side view.

Active Surfacing
Using Active Surfacing, Ford was able to hide the aerodynamic aids normally associated with high performance cars. This retains the purity of Visos' purposeful exterior shape without compromising its performance potential.

When the driver selects Sport mode it initiates a series of changes to the exterior, the interior and to the performance characteristics of the car. Externally, this results in the deployment of the front splitter, the rear diffuser and the rear spoiler.

In Comfort mode the vehicle does not necessarily require the same aerodynamic assistance and so these devices are retracted into the body. Regardless of the operating mode, the aerodynamic aids are deployed automatically at 90 km/h.

Active Surfacing is also evident in integrated door cameras that fold flush into the door panels when the vehicle has been 'shut down'. When the engine is started the cameras automatically rotate out of the door surfaces.

The camera imaging system provides a clear rear view and it features "blind spot detection" to warn the driver if it is not safe when changing lanes. When the car is parked the cameras retract into the car's bodywork, ensuring that they are fully protected from dirt or damage.

The front lights use a combination of different technologies to create a distinctive light graphic that is a key design signature for the face of the car.

A 6 cylinder bi-turbo engine powers the Visos. It has a power output of 350 bhp, and 295 lb.ft of torque is available. The engine is mated to a 6-speed advanced ASM transmission, driving all four wheels.

Is this really a hint at the introduction of a Capri replacement, or is that just wishful thinking on our behalf? Either way, expect some of the styling cues in a Ford dealer near you in the not too distant future.

Wheels24 - 20 Sep 2003