Ford Verve Concept 2007

[Matt]

FORD VERVE CONCEPT HINTS AT SMALL CAR FUTURE

All eyes will be firmly focused on the Ford stand at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show when the manufacturer of the UK’s best-loved small car takes the wraps off its vision for the future, - the Ford Verve Concept.


Ford Verve Concept hints at the new design direction for future compact cars and the company plans to closely gauge public reaction while their designers work behind the scenes creating Ford's next supermini generation.


The latest in a series of striking show stoppers, Ford Verve Concept follows in the footsteps of the Iosis and Iosis X, whose kinetic design philosophy inspired production models like the critically acclaimed new Mondeo and S-MAX.


Martin Smith, Executive Director of Design for Ford of Europe, explained: “Bold, even radical, Ford Verve Concept demonstrates the potential of Ford’s kinetic design philosophy to visualise a small car that is a chic and modern, and one that makes an individual statement for a sophisticated, fashion-aware generation.”


Bold and sporty, the front of the supermini is dominated by a large, inverted trapezoidal lower grille with the familiar Ford oval centred in the compact upper opening.

Particularly eye-catching in deep magenta with a unique tinted clear coat finish, Ford Verve Concept’s sleek lines, 18-inch alloys, panoramic glass roof and
B-pillarless structure give it an elegant, coupe-like look.


The visual splendour continues inside with a fresh and innovative approach to interior design that's been inspired by the latest mobile phones. Sensuous curves combine with clever technology to create a stylish but user-friendly environment.


Ford's Convers+ system, which allows quick and easy access to all driver-operated functions, is central to the ergonomically excellent design. A large colour screen displays all essential information while every surrounding button and switch has been crafted with the kind of minute attention typically associated with larger, upmarket vehicles.


“A new generation of buyers raised with mobile electronic devices would feel right at home in this new automotive interior, one that exceeds the standards typical in the small-car segment,” said Niko Vidakovic, Chief Interior Designer, Ford of Europe.
Taking its lead from the success of Ford's new S-MAX and latest Mondeo, the Verve Concept symbolises Ford's ambition to be a leader in small vehicle design by creating individual cars for individual customers.


With elements of the Ford Verve Concept almost certain to appear in future production models, small car buyers have some exciting times ahead.

[whiteballz]

I'd hit it...

[silverhawk]

i like ford's new design style. it reminds me of the opel corsa

[Clivey]

i like ford's new design style. it reminds me of the opel corsa

*Cringes* Which one (Corsa that is)? It's a bloody crossover for goodness sake!

IMO it's just another one of these pointless crossovers with a stupidly large grille and "bigger is better" styling. Boooring!

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

Face it Clive. You just hate Fords.

[Clivey]

Face it Clive. You just hate Fords.

That's the thing, I don't...it's just frustrating that whenever they show signs of making something you'd actually want to own, they then go and screw it up and conform to the latest "car design fashion" - massive wheels and arches (it's a Supermini with factory fit 18"s, and it's not even a "sporty" version FFS!), massive grilles, 4x4 styling and lots of chrome...It's like the 70's but taller!

Seriously: When I opened the thread, I looked at thbe pics before I read the text. I thought "Meh, it's a crossover", then read the text and realised "Oh, it's the next Fiesta. Haven't Ford realised what a failure a tall version is with the Fusion?"

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

OK, I agree that the idea is stupid, but what can you do? The manufacturers are trying their hardest to fill every niche that no one asked for. Take the Merc CLS for example, and the stupid S-Max. And btw- the Corsa VXR has factory fit 18" wheels for an extra £400.

Every manufacturer has its lemons and good cars. The new Mondeo is a good car, and this will probably be a lemon. It's a stupid-looking thing, so I'm with you there- just yanking your chain because it's early in the morning!

P.S. WTF is going on with that grille...?

[Clivey]

OK, I agree that the idea is stupid, but what can you do? The manufacturers are trying their hardest to fill every niche that no one asked for. Take the Merc CLS for example, and the stupid S-Max. And btw- the Corsa VXR has factory fit 18" wheels for an extra £400.

Yeah, but the CLS is actually a good-looking saloon! AND the only Corsa that's available with 18" wheels is the "Sports" version. Same goes for the Mini etc. This concept just appears to be a high-end "non-sporty" version...so does that mean the "ST" or "RS" gets 20"s?

Every manufacturer has its lemons and good cars. The new Mondeo is a good car, and this will probably be a lemon. It's a stupid-looking thing, so I'm with you there- just yanking your chain because it's early in the morning!

Actually the main problem I have with that isn't the looks - it's the best looking Mondeo ever. It's the sheer size of the thing. It's only 1cm shorter than an Audi A6 saloon yet it's supposed to be a "D-segment" car. The latest Focus already feels too big (read: wide) for some British roads, so this is going to be ridiculous.

P.S. WTF is going on with that grille...?

Due to a lack or originality they're copying Peugeot...a small grille between the headlights and a HUGE gob beneath them. Samey and boring despite looking like some startled form of aquatic life.

[orne]

Yeah, but the CLS is actually a good-looking saloon! AND the only Corsa that's available with 18" wheels is the "Sports" version. Same goes for the Mini etc. This concept just appears to be a high-end "non-sporty" version...so does that mean the "ST" or "RS" gets 20"s?



Actually the main problem I have with that isn't the looks - it's the best looking Mondeo ever. It's the sheer size of the thing. It's only 1cm shorter than an Audi A6 saloon yet it's supposed to be a "D-segment" car. The latest Focus already feels too big (read: wide) for some British roads, so this is going to be ridiculous.



Due to a lack or originality they're copying Peugeot...a small grille between the headlights and a HUGE gob beneath them. Samey and boring despite looking like some startled form of aquatic life.

Well, this is a concept car, so it's bound to have big wheels

As for the size, I agree with you there, we can't go the "bigger is better" route.

I like the design though, both interior and exterior but we must wait for the final version to see what it'll look like and to know the dimensions and weight figures.

[Ferrer]

I think it's really fugly. Especially considering the Mazda 2, which is based in the same hardware, is so brilliant mechanically and aesthetically. If you fancy a Fiesta buy a 2.

[Clivey]

I think it's really fugly. Especially considering the Mazda 2, which is based in the same hardware, is so brilliant mechanically and aesthetically. If you fancy a Fiesta buy a 2.

Hang on...there's a common theme here:

If you want a Fiesta; buy a Mazda2,
If you want a Focus; buy a Mazda3,
If you want a (previous gen) Mondeo; buy a Mazda 6.

Why doesn't Ford therefore concentrate on other things - like a decent successor to the Mk1 Escort, Cortina or Capri? After they stopped making those, they lost the plot!

[Ferrer]

Hang on...there's a common theme here:

If you want a Fiesta; buy a Mazda2,
If you want a Focus; buy a Mazda3,
If you want a (previous gen) Mondeo; buy a Mazda 6.

Why doesn't Ford therefore concentrate on other things - like a decent successor to the Mk1 Escort, Cortina or Capri? After they stopped making those, they lost the plot!

I agree with you on the first statement, but not the second or the third. I'd say that if you want a Focus or a 3 your best bet is a C30. And if you want a Mondeo, buy it, it's a good car which goes well and looks good.

However I sort of a gree with you, altough I'd fast forward a lot. The Mk I Focus was brilliant, good looking and shapr to drive. As was the Mondeo or the Puma. But the new Focus Mk II and Mondeo Mk IV are simply too big, heavy and bland (the later on the Focus). There are better alternatives, altough that doesn't meant they aren't good cars on their own.

[Waugh-terfall]

Mazda = win.

Didn't the new Civic Type-R Concept have 20inch alloys?
The Focus ST Concept definately did.

the new Mondeo seems to be setting the trend for new cars except the new Mondeo actually looks good. As for rubbish tall Fords the facelifted C-Max looks good and seem to sell like hotcakes in France.

'Hints at the Small-car future' - what, that there isn't going to be one?

[Ferrer]

Mazda = win.

Actually no. The 3 is stupidly big and doesn't sell.

We went to a local Mazda dealer yesterday asking for the new 2 and the salesman stubbornly tried to sell us a 3 because many were sitting unsold but registered because they hadn't been meeting the sales targets at all.

[Waugh-terfall]

Actually no. The 3 is stupidly big and doesn't sell.

We went to a local Mazda dealer yesterday asking for the new 2 and the salesman stubbornly tried to sell us a 3 because many were sitting unsold but registered because they hadn't been meeting the sales targets at all.

Odd, they seem to be doing ok around here.

They aren't that expensive and yes, they are big but for people on a budget it's perfect. It's 1mm shorter than a Peugeot 307 Estate/SW and much better priced AND better looking, thus, Mazda = win