Ford Verve concepts

Infobox Automobile


name = Ford Verve
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
assembly = Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil(sedan)
class = Concept car
body_style = 4-door sedan
3-door hatchback
engine = 1.4L I4
wheelbase = Auto in|98.0|0
length = Auto in|145.4|0
width = Auto in|65.1|0
height = Auto in|54.3|0
layout = FF layout

The Ford Verve concepts are a series of subcompact car concepts from Ford of Europe. Together, they are expected to form the basis of the replacement for the current Ford Fiesta [http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=16459 Channel 4: Frankfurt preview: Goodbye Fiesta, hello Verve?] ] and help Ford meet market demands for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. [ [http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/249331 The Star: Ford revs up new small car prototype Verve] ] The production versions will be sold in North America, Europe, and Asia. [ [http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070824/FREE/70824001/1024/FREE Automotive News Europe: Ford Verve Concept for Frankfurt] ] The first concept debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Verve comes in both four- and three-door body styles. The four-door is the basis for the production vehicle that will be sold in North America beginning in 2010. The European three-door is being shown to test market reaction to the body style – as a possible additional small car for the North American market.

Viewed from the front, the vehicle features:

Ford Verve SMPR [http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/verve/ FORD VERVE CONCEPT - Ford Motor Company - digital snippets ] ] : A bold, three-bar graphic with a Ford blue oval in the upper grille opening and downsized the lower, inverted trapezoidal grille. Pronounced, rearward-stretching headlamps, giving the face of the Ford Verve concept a friendly, open and inviting personality. A toned and athletic hood sculpture that’s not overtly muscular. Prominent headlamps that feature two projector beams and a light-emitting diode (LED) array. Two unique LED side markers flank the front fascia. Specially designed 18-inch, 12-spoke two-piece alloy wheels that lend even more drama to the car.

From the side view,

The profile is emphasized by the pillar-less side window shape, mirroring the body’s curving upper contour line. This extends rearward from the angular A-pillar to marry the semi-high-mounted, LED tail lamps sculpted to become part of the fullness of the body shape.These elements blend cohesively together and support the panoramic glass roof. Subtle chrome bars accent the door handles. Brushed aluminum accents the lower grille surround, the rear number plate surround, and the lower edge of the front fog lamps.Low-profile tires feature a sidewall stripe that complements the rich Rouge Red body color.

source: Ford Verce Concept SMPR

First Verve Concept

The Verve continues Ford's Kinetic Design family styling theme, first seen on the Ford S-MAX.

Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe, described the Verve as "a chic, modern and individualistic statement for a sophisticated, fashion-aware generation." [cite web
url=http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=26614
title=FORD VERVE CONCEPT HINTS AT FORD’S FUTURE SMALL-CAR DESIGN VISION
accessdate=2008-01-13] The concept was created by a team of designers from Ford studios in Dunton, England, and Cologne, Germany.

Occupants are cocooned in a cabin trimmed in different hues of glove leather, with an array of modern multimedia conveniences at their fingertips.

The slick three-door hatchback features a panoramic glass roof, pillarless side glass, LED headlamps, high-mounted LED taillamps, integrated tailgate spoiler and dark-chrome lower diffuser with integrated center exhaust outlet.

The car rides on 18-inch low-profile tyres mounted on two-piece, 12-spoke alloy wheels.

Second Verve Concept

On November 19, 2007, Ford unveiled its second Verve concept. This second version took the form of a four-door notchback and was styled similarly to the Frankfurt version of the car. It was finished in frosted grape. [ [http://www.fordeurope.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4137&highlight= Forum at FordEurpope.net] ]

Third Verve Concept

An further four-door Verve concept car for North America was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in January 2008. [ [http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=27479&make_id=trust Media.Ford.Com - "Ford Reveals Small-Car Vision for North America" - 13 Jan. 2008] ] [ [http://autoshows.ford.com/207/2008/01/13/verve-concept-ford%e2%80%99s/ Ford Auto Shows - "Verve Concept: Ford’s New Vision for Small Cars" - 13 Jan. 2008] ] It was finished in Rouge Red, and unique to this version, featured a modified front fascia. The most notable changes were in a deeper upper grille, with Ford of North America's trademark 'three-bar' graphic, and a downsized lower inverted trapezoidal grille.

It was confirmed in the press release that a model based on this concept will launch in North America in 2010.

References

External links

* [http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/verve/ "Verve Concept: Social Media Press Release] From Digital Snippets - 08 Jan 2008
* [http://autoshows.ford.com/207/2008/01/13/verve-concept-ford%e2%80%99s/ "Verve Concept: Ford’s New Vision for Small Cars"] at Ford Auto Shows - 13 Jan 2008
* [http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=25873 "New Ford Small Car Concept Debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show"] at Media.Ford.com - 24 Aug 2007
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordmotorcompany/sets/72157603680178759/ Ford Verve Concept] Flickr set