One of the few genuine surprises at this year's Paris Show was the appearance of a brand new concept car from Ford, called iosis X. You should recognise the iosis name, as it was originally used on the sensational four-door coupé concept at the Frankfurt Show lat year. The new show car applies that car's "kinetic design" language to a crossover design that Ford tells us will influence a new niche model for Europe, to be built on the Focus platform.

On the outside of the iosis X are wild five-spoke wheels that extend into the tyres, which themselves feature an inverted trapezoid tread pattern. That shape is employed extensively elsewhere, most aggressively at the front. Advanced LED technology is used for the show car's lights and they combine with the blue-white paintwork to produce an eye-catching effect. More subtle are the large silver stripes running the length of the car; look closely and you'll see that the stripes are actually etched into the full-length glass roof. Neat.

Ford's designers admit taking influence from the latest ski and extreme sports equipment and this really shows on the inside of the concept car. Materials used include neoprene and shiny 'Piano White' continuing the winter sports theme. A unique feature is the adoption of a glass floor, allowing occupants to see the terrain underneath. Whatever about Ford making a new sporty crossover for Europe, we don't think a glass floor will ever be an option! The cabin is dominated by the sweeping central section, but the driving position is quite conventional.

We hope to see the new SUV at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show. As ever, watch the Motorshows page for the latest news.

Shane O' Donoghue - 4 Oct 2006