Ford Verve Concept
With the introduction of the Ford Verve concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, we have the first evidence of Ford's intent to align its North American and European products.
Yes, Ford has tried the world car idea more than a few times in the past, but we don't ever recall it looking this good. The Verve previews a so-called B-segment (or smaller-than-Focus) car that the company will sell in the U.S. in 2010. Similar versions for European and Japanese markets are expected to debut at the end of this year.
The version of the Verve that appears at the Detroit show is a variation on the one shown at the Guangzhou auto show late last year. Both are notchback four-door sedans with curved, coupelike roof lines distinguished by ellipse-shape side glass and deeply contoured side panels. The only major difference between the two is that the Detroit version has a second, smaller grille mounted above that monstrous whale shark maw of a lower grille. All three Verves share the so-called "kinetic" styling that's so far been a hit on the recently introduced Euro-market Mondeo.
Certainly the deep luster of the Rouge Red paint and sassy 12-spoke, 18-inch wheels help, but the Verve is one of the few small cars that doesn't look either cheap or cute or both. We consider this a major design success.
The interior is a bit more out there, with a wild combination of color and texture. Also the center stack looks a bit like Ultraman's chest. The basic arrangement is feasible for production, though.
For perspective, the Verve concept is 30 inches shorter in overall length than a U.S.-specification Ford Focus and rides on a wheelbase that's 5 inches shorter. We expect the front and rear overhangs of the Verve would have to be lengthened a bit for production to meet crash-protection standards. Front-seat passengers would have nearly as much room as those in a Focus; backseat passenger would be hurting.
Ford has also brought to Detroit the hatchback version of the Verve that the company unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show last summer to gauge the reaction of American show-goers to that much-maligned body style.
With the introduction of the Ford Verve concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, we have the first evidence of Ford's intent to align its North American and European products.
Yes, Ford has tried the world car idea more than a few times in the past, but we don't ever recall it looking this good. The Verve previews a so-called B-segment (or smaller-than-Focus) car that the company will sell in the U.S. in 2010. Similar versions for European and Japanese markets are expected to debut at the end of this year.
The version of the Verve that appears at the Detroit show is a variation on the one shown at the Guangzhou auto show late last year. Both are notchback four-door sedans with curved, coupelike roof lines distinguished by ellipse-shape side glass and deeply contoured side panels. The only major difference between the two is that the Detroit version has a second, smaller grille mounted above that monstrous whale shark maw of a lower grille. All three Verves share the so-called "kinetic" styling that's so far been a hit on the recently introduced Euro-market Mondeo.
Certainly the deep luster of the Rouge Red paint and sassy 12-spoke, 18-inch wheels help, but the Verve is one of the few small cars that doesn't look either cheap or cute or both. We consider this a major design success.
The interior is a bit more out there, with a wild combination of color and texture. Also the center stack looks a bit like Ultraman's chest. The basic arrangement is feasible for production, though.
For perspective, the Verve concept is 30 inches shorter in overall length than a U.S.-specification Ford Focus and rides on a wheelbase that's 5 inches shorter. We expect the front and rear overhangs of the Verve would have to be lengthened a bit for production to meet crash-protection standards. Front-seat passengers would have nearly as much room as those in a Focus; backseat passenger would be hurting.
Ford has also brought to Detroit the hatchback version of the Verve that the company unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show last summer to gauge the reaction of American show-goers to that much-maligned body style.
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