20 Nov 07 14:26
Ford has unveiled the saloon version of the Verve concept that will evolve into the replacement for the current Fiesta. The three-door version was unveiled in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and that's now been followed by the four-door revealed at a show in Guangzhou, China.
Like the hatch, the saloon has many echoes of the current Mondeo. It's likely to be named Fiesta by the time it reaches the UK market, although it's expected to keep the Verve badge in some countries. The saloon is unlikely to go on sale in Britain, where hatchbacks dominate the small-car market.
Phil Spender, chief operating officer of Ford China, said: 'With this new four-door Verve concept, the picture of Ford's big plans for the small-car segment is becoming clearer. Our future small car is being developed as a global car. It will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured globally.' That could include production in China, depending on the outcome of talks currently in progress.
European design director Martin Smith said: 'Looking at these concepts together, you can just imagine how exciting the successor to the Ford Fiesta will be when it hits the market.'
Features previewed in the concepts include a central instrument stack with Ford's latest Convers+ telecommunications system - as found in the latest Mondeo - influenced by mobile phone interfaces. Ford is promising big improvements in interior quality.
The next stage in the Verve story will be in January at the Detroit Motor Show, where Ford will unveil a third Verve concept to preview its US-market 'subcompact' model.
