Verve, Ford's new small concept car to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

The Ford Verve Concept demonstrates what a future small car in Europe might look like.

Ford's new small car concept will be on display from 13 September to 23 September at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, the first sign of what the future may hold for the much-awaited global 'B-car'.

The 'Verve', as it is being called, is Ford of Europe's concept for a sleek new mini model that will be later tailored for Asia, and potentially other markets across the globe.

Earlier this year, Ford announced that the European arm of its global product development group would take the design and engineering lead in the creation of a new small-car portfolio for major world markets. The new small cars will share common engineering, but looks and features may vary from market to market.

Accelerating product development and reducing manufacturing complexity is one of the company's four priorities. Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally has said he wants to bring product teams together from across the globe to create common vehicle platforms.

"Ford Verve Concept debuts in Frankfurt as a concept car to generate reactions while our production plans are taking shape," said John Fleming, president and CEO, 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 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."

While the Verve is a concept, designers grounded their efforts with an eye toward production feasibility, according to lead exterior designer Chris Hamilton.

The Ford Verve Concept is the latest application of Ford of Europe's kinetic design philosophy, first seen in the iosis and iosis X concepts and incorporated into such successful production vehicles as the new S-MAX, Galaxy and Mondeo.

"Ford Verve Concept is clearly our most expressive form language yet," said Martin Smith, executive director, design, Ford of Europe. "Bold, even radical, it demonstrates the dynamic possibilities for expressing Ford's kinetic design philosophy in a small car that is a chic, modern and individualistic statement for a sophisticated, fashion-aware generation."

According to Smith, the concept for the European market aims to look "precision sculpted" with an appearance of "agile muscularity" and "toned athleticism".

The front of the vehicle is dominated by a large, inverted trapezoidal lower grille and a large Ford oval badge while the lower grille features strong horizontal blades punctuated by a regular array of 'bullet' shapes that combine to create the visual effect of corresponding vertical bars.

The bonnet (hood) shape is sculpted dynamically and combines with the more pronounced, rearward-stretching headlamp units - inspired by Mondeo - which Ford designers hope gives the face of the Ford Verve Concept a friendly, open and inviting personality.

From the side view, notable features include a purposeful, cab-forward look, a pillar-less side window shape, angular A-pillar to marry the sculpted, semi-high-mounted, LED tail lamps, the car's integrated tailgate spoiler and a panoramic glass roof.

Inside, the Ford Verve Concept features full surfaces, flowing contours and an instrument panel centre stack, Ford designed, to appeal to a generation that grew up with cell phones. For instance, the designers decoupled the elements of the entertainment system -- placing controls and buttons for optimal ergonomic positioning to resemble the logic of a mobile phone.

At the top is a large-screen, colour Ford Convers+ system incorporated in the upper dash. The Ford Convers+ system incorporated in the concept is the latest-generation Human Machine Interface (HMI) recently introduced in the Ford Mondeo.

The concept's heating/ventilation controls, highlighted in a lozenge shape at the midpoint of the centre stack, feature large twist dials which were inspired by the sculpture found in high quality power showers.

The center stack structure flows into a center console, which provides stowage areas, including a tray for a mobile phone or MP3 player, as well as a large bin for a purse or shoulder bag near the handbrake.

The Ford Verve Concept is trimmed in a blend of magentas. The exclusive fabrics and leathers of haute couture inspired the materials, according to Ruth Pauli, Chief Designer, Colours and Trims, Ford of Europe.