12 Sep 07
Ford's replacement for the current Fiesta may not carry on that long-running name: this supermini concept is called Verve.
A curvy three-door hatch with hints of the new Mondeo and the S-Max, the Verve hints at Ford's design direction for future compact cars, and the company says it will closely gauge public reaction.
The Verve's interior has, Ford says, been inspired by the latest mobile phones, and the cabin features Ford's Convers+ control system with colour display screen. The car is finished with a protective tinted clear-coat paint and has a full-length glass roof and 18" alloys. Without window frames or B-pillars, it looks modern and upmarket.
When it goes into production - probably with the styling toned down a little - this car will be built on similar underpinnings to the Mazda 2 supermini already on sale. It's been developed with a view to global sales, and will be produced on several continents.
Ford is also promoting a line-up of cars it calls Econetic. These are specially developed versions of existing diesel models giving reduced carbon dioxide emissions and improved fuel consumption.
First up will be the 115g/km Focus Econetic, which has a 109bhp 1.6 TDCi engine and delivers 65.7mpg. Like Volkswagen's BlueMotion models, the Econetics have improved aerodynamics and low-friction transmission oil. Expect similarly tweaked models across the Ford range soon. Ford is also promising Flexifuel versions of the Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max, capable of running on an 85% bioethanol blend (E85).
Check out the rest of our Frankfurt Motor Show coverage
