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Old 08-30-2007, 01:00 PM
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The Ford Verve Concept

Ford Verve Concept a bold and colourful concept car to be revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show gives the first hints of Fords future small-car design vision.

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 Ford Verve Concept is the first of three concept vehicles which will debut in key regions Europe, Asia and North America.

Finished in rich colours and distinctive materials inspired by the world of fashion and cosmetics, the Ford Verve Concept was created by a team of designers from Ford's studios in Dunton, England, and Cologne, Germany.

Building on the kinetic design momentum of Fords recent iosis and iosis X concept cars, and the more premium feel of production models like the new Ford Mondeo, the Ford Verve Concept is a bold expression of a small-car vision.

Its colour a deep magenta red encapsulated in a tinted clearcoat for an even deeper glow is a daring declaration of individualism and exclusivity.

Style and Energy in Motion The concept's face is bold and sporty, yet friendly and engaging. The front of the vehicle is dominated by a large, inverted trapezoidal lower grille and a large Ford oval badge centred in the compact upper grille opening.

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 lower grille and badge treatment are the Design teams intended signature elements to communicate the Ford design DNA in future products.

The bonnet shape is sculpted dynamically toned and athletic but not overtly muscular. This feeling combines with the more pronounced, rearward-stretching headlamp units inspired by Mondeo to give the face of the Ford Verve Concept a friendly, open and inviting personality. The prominent headlamps feature two projector beams and a light-emitting diode (LED) array.

From the side view, the concept has the purposeful, cab-forward look of energy in motion. The profile is emphasised by the pillarless side window shape, the upper contour of which mirrors the bodys curving upper contour line. This extends rearward from the angular A-pillar to marry the sculpted, semi-high-mounted, LED tail lamps themselves sculpted to become part of the fullness of the body shape and the car's integrated tailgate spoiler. These elements blend cohesively together and support the vehicles panoramic glass roof.

A bodyside belt line adds to the dramatic array of shapes that lend a feeling of controlled tension. The wheel arches also communicate tension and muscularity another signature of kinetic design.

At the rear, the lower diffuser with integrated centre exhaust outlet are central elements of a cohesive design that incorporates the encapsulated rear bumper and design accessories, like brushed aluminium accents on the lower edges of the fog lamps. The lower diffuser is formed of dark chrome, which provides a muted contrast with the deep magenta body colour to create a controlled expression of tension and suspense.

The 18-inch, 12-spoke, two-piece alloy wheel design lends even more drama to the car. The wheel design is light and airy, with a feeling of depth and three dimensionality that draws the eye to the base of the spokes. Ford Verve Concepts low-profile tyres each feature a sidewall stripe that complements the rich body colour.

Other accents on the vehicle evoking the way in which carefully selected accessories can complement fashions include a subtle chrome bar in the door handles and similar use of brushed aluminium on the lower grille surround, the rear number plate surround and on the lower edge of the front fog lamps.

These combine subtly to signal a higher level of premium quality than that typically found in small cars.

Exploring the Inner Kinetic The Ford Verve Concept is as dramatic on the inside as its exterior. From its boldly shaped surfaces and courageous use of rich colours and irresistible materials, the car has a playful sense of sophistication and fashion. It also pioneers new technologies that someday could be a production reality.

Pronounced sculpting characterises the upper instrument panel, created by the hands of Ford interior designer Tiago Diaz and supervisor Ernst Reim. Full surfaces and flowing contours on interior elements especially the instrument panel and door panels reflect the kinetic design elements on the exterior of the vehicle. These elements combine to create an enveloping feeling for the vehicles occupants, contrasting the airiness provided by the panoramic glass roof.

New Aesthetic Inspired by Mobile Phones

The Ford Verve Concept was designed for the generation that grew up with mobile phones.

A predominant feature of the interior is the centre stack of the instrument panel. Aesthetically, it follows the curves and contours of the instrument panel shape, soaring up with an eye-pleasing winged effect to frame 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. This alone indicates the level of sophistication incorporated in the Ford Verve Concept small-car vision.

Functionally, a key element of the centre stack design is the decoupling of the traditional elements of the entertainment system the screen, control elements and the electronics. Separating these elements allowed designers to place controls and buttons for optimal ergonomic positioning in a design that resembles the logic of a mobile phone.

This new approach means that the Ford Verve Concept introduces a completely new aesthetic a new approach to the form and function of interacting with underlying technologies. The unique architecture also embraces other key systems, including navigation and in-car phone controls.

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 centre stack structure flows into a centre 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 primary gauges speedometer and rev counter are uniquely framed by binocular-shaped, short tunnels of brightwork which complement the centre stack and contrast the rich interior colours like a fashion accessory.

Rich, Harmonious Colours

From the instrument panel to the seats, the Ford Verve Concept is trimmed elegantly in a harmonious blend of magentas. Materials were inspired by the exclusive fabrics and leathers of haute couture, according to Ruth Pauli, Chief Designer, Colours and Trims, Ford of Europe.

The harmonies and contrasts of the concept are distinctive. The portfolio of materials used by Pauli, colour and trim specialist Ulrike Dahm and other members of the Ford Design Europe team include:

* Deep burgundy leather for the upper instrument panel, contrasted in the lower area by a slightly green-hued black leather * The seats are covered in deep burgundy leather trimmed with electric magenta piping

Gauging Public Reaction in Frankfurt

As product development of a new generation of Ford small cars continues behind the scenes, Ford of Europe is hoping to gauge public reaction to the Ford Verve Concept during the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Source: [url=http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/7874]Technology News Daily[/url]
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