Ford Verve Concept: The Future of Fiesta?

Motoring Channel Staff - 24/August/2007

Cologne, Germany — Joining the Kuga concept on the Ford stand at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show is another compact design, this one called the Ford Verve Concept.

Like many of Ford Europe's concept cars the Verve provides clues as to the overall design and look of an upcoming model, and this one is believed to be an all-new compact car. Speculation has been rife that this is representative of the next generation Fiesta.

There has also been talk that it could be the inspiration for a new Ka model as well, but this is less likely as the Ford Verve Concept is larger than a Ka and features none of its trademark design features.

"Ford Verve Concept is presented here in Frankfurt as a bespoke concept car to generate reactions while our production plans are taking shape," stated John Fleming, who is the 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."

But what if Ford doesn't the get the reaction it expects? It's an unlikely event because the car is attractively styled, but it would certainly change the way it designs it's next generation small cars.

Ford released a statement that reads: "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 design is fairly generic, save for the huge front intake/grille section, and draws parallels with the Fiat Punto. Ford Europe also explained that the Verve Concept will be the first of three concept vehicles "which will debut in key regions - Europe, Asia and North America".

Ford's new concept car was "inspired by the world of fashion and cosmetics" and was developed simultaneously at two of Ford's European design centres, one in Dunton, England, and the other in Cologne, Germany.

Like the new Ford Mondeo - which will be released in Australian later in 2007 - the Verve Concept incorporates what Ford calls kinetic design and a "more premium feel" which is expected to manifest in improved standard features. It features short front and rear overhangs, a prominent 'face', flared wheel arches and other bold styling cues, such as LED brake lights.

Ford hopes for a positive reaction to this new concept at the world's largest motor show in Frankfurt, and thus far it's been pretty good. The new Fiesta is almost guaranteed to resemble this new concept.

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- Ford Mondeo (2007)
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- Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (Road Test)
- Next-Gen Ford Falcon in Detroit (2008)
- Ford Shelby GT500 Road & Track (2006)
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- Ford Fiesta Zetec (Road Test)
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