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2008 Detroit Auto Show - Ford Verve Concept Video

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Changed little in overall looks from the previous two Verve concepts, this U.S. version is also attractive.
Ford Motor Company
Ford designers have added the upper front grille with its three horizontal bars in an attempt to bridge the gap in design styles between Ford's design language in the U.S. and Europe.
Ford Motor Company
Imagine this interior toned down by about 50 percent and it's easy to see this stylish little number in production.
Ford Motor Company
Don't expect the 18-inch wheels or deep-luster paint, but the basic form of the Verve concept is entirely doable.
Ford Motor Company
Regardless of the final price, the Verve will be the least expensive four-door coupelike vehicle on the market.
Ford Motor Company
We prefer the European and Chinese versions of the car without the second grille and chrome driving-light surrounds.
Ford Motor Company
Sometimes the Verve just cruises around, sucking in vast quantities of plankton.
Ford Motor Company
Not an interior for introverts.
Ford Motor Company
The turn signals integrated into the outside mirrors and a nice dose of chrome give the Verve a surprisingly upscale look.
Ford Motor Company
Ford designers figure the young folks will like the bold combinations of textures and colors.
Ford Motor Company
Like Ultraman, the Ford Verve interior can blast enemies with an Ultra Attack Beam.
Ford Motor Company
Two things you don't expect of a small, budget car: elegant styling and red-line tires.
Ford Motor Company
The Verve will go on sale in North America in 2010.
Ford Motor Company

Ford Verve Concept

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What is it?
Ford Verve

What's special about it?
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.

What's Edmunds' take?
We like it. Bring it unchanged, Ford. And also bring the Euro Focus. Oh, and the Mondeo, too. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit