| Ford has unveiled the iosis, a head-turning new
concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, to express its design strategy for
the next generation of European road cars.
Following in
the footsteps of the SAV concept shown at Geneva, the iosis
concept car represents a new design language for Ford |
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Styled from a radical new design brief, iosis is an exciting four-seater
saloon within a muscular coupé profile. iosis follows the recent
SAV concept launched at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in demonstrating the
company's new "kinetic" design direction; making future Fords
look more sporting, dynamic and exciting.
This startling new design, penned by a team led by Martin Smith, Ford
of Europe's executive design director, showcases visual elements that
will strongly influence a new generation of Ford products. It is not the
precursor to a production model, rather an indicator of future trends.
"Ford products are acknowledged for their class leading driving dynamics,
our objective, quite simply, is to express this leadership in our design,"
said Martin Smith. "We are calling this new language Ford 'kinetic'
design, because we believe it expresses energy in motion.
"We’re bringing together all of the elements of this exciting
design language into one concept vehicle," he added. "We want
this new expression to make our cars totally irresistible, so they actually
turn heads."
Every car company has identifiable generations of vehicles and Martin
Smith has been tasked with developing the next generation for Ford. When
he arrived at Ford last year, Smith recognised that Ford's leadership
in driving quality needed to be reflected in the product’s emotional
and visual appeal.
“The forms will be more distinctive and emotional, more athletic
and muscular," explained Smith. "Equally, we have to combine
safety and dynamic performance and still keep the brand identity. The
iosis has great stance, it is powerful, assertive and confident, and it
just cries out to be driven. That’s kinetic design - energy in motion,”
says Smith.
Him and his team quickly identified the graphic elements that are the
recognised key signatures of Ford design. Amongst the most important is
the ‘inverse trapezoid’ air intake below the grille. Together,
these upper and lower grille graphics represent the new face of Ford.
A further element considered an imperative by the team, is the further
development of the well defined wheel arch lip originally pioneered on
Focus in 1998.
Rather than static, straight lines, the intention is to make them more
dynamic. The undercut surface supports this aspect and it is complemented
by the kick-up on the rocker panel, which repeats almost exactly the shape
of the "day-light opening" (DLO) graphic.
Another recurring design theme is the kick-up in the DLO at the ‘C’
post, which is echoed in the headlamp design. It is also mirrored in the
design of the hood itself that raises the upper surface to give a cushioning
clearance from engine hard points below. This ridge then continues along
the ‘A’ post and cant rail before terminating in dramatic
cat’s-eye-style rear light clusters.
A particularly dramatic aspect of iosis is its angled pivoting door arrangement
that gives complete, uninterrupted access to the interior. Constructed
from F1-style carbon fibre for lightness, the doors are powered by ram
motors that swing them upwards and outwards from the ‘A’ and
‘C’ posts via a system of sophisticated hinges that ensure
additional support isn’t required when the doors are open.
Advanced technology where deployed on iosis is practical and realistic.
Mounted in the rear valance is a camera to complement the two door-mounted
units that replace conventional rear-view mirrors. By using three cameras
in addition to the conventional interior mirror, the driver is assured
complete 360-degree vision.
“The interior follows the same direction as the exterior design,”
says Smith.
"We connected futuristic materials with sophisticated materials,"
he explained. "There are very technical materials like rubber compounds
combined with leather, and neoprene combined with high quality aluminium
components, for example."
The interior team wanted the driver to be enticed by the interior as the
doors swung open. Immediately apparent is the ultra-modern steering wheel
fashioned from solid aluminium and with contrasting orange glove-leather
grips.
Another example of this approach is in the sequential gear shifter inspired
by the Focus World Rally Car, and located just a hand span from the steering
wheel. Beautifully crafted from solid aluminium and finished in a unique
anodised soft warm brown-grey with orange leather, it embodies all the
themes running through the interior - contemporary craftsmanship and high
quality materials. The starter button is mounted beneath a flip lid on
top of the shifter.
Ahead of the driver is a simple instrument binnacle, featuring the counterbalanced
needles traditionally found on a high quality chronometer. Between the
dials is a high definition LCD screen for navigation or to display views
from the three rearward facing cameras.
The sweeping centre stack houses docking points for a pair of memory sticks.
It is likely in the future that a conventional key or even keyless entry
will give way to memory stick activation, allowing full individual driver
data to be stored.
The interiors team has developed eye-catching seating for the iosis, with
skeletal frames resembling a ribcage and a vertebrae structure fashioned
from silver carbon fibre and aluminium. Separating the front seats is
a 'flying bridge' centre console housing the electronic parking brake.
A unique leather finish with a subtle metallic look has been specially
developed for iosis. It retains a natural grain in a deep charcoal tone,
yet the top surface is picked out with a subtle graphite shade to create
the effect.
“The interior architecture is quite simple in itself,” explains
Smith, “but its design shines through in its detailed execution
and the choice of contrasting materials, unusual in automotive applications.”
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