Ford previewed the latest iteration of its new global design language with the debut of the iosis MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show today. The front-end styling of the concept is said to be a direct preview of the next-generation Focus range, while the rear portion of the car foreshadows the next C-Max.
Since the 2011 Focus will be identical in all markets, this should be of particular interest to North American consumers, considering Ford’s U.S.-spec Focus has traditionally been interior to its European counterpart. There are also rumors about eventual U.S. availability of the C-Max, so the iosis MAX is truly a global concept car.
The interior of the show car is mostly experimental, with “floating” bucket chairs, an exotic dash and center console, high-tech gauges, and stylish accelerator and brake pedals. The exterior also has a number of unique show-car touches, including sliding rear doors and uniquely hinged front doors. Frameless windows, the absence of a B-pillar, and a the panoramic glass roof are further touches that are unlikely to see production.
One production-intent feature of iosis MAX is its new 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost motor, which delivers 180 horsepower with 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional motors with similar power. The engines feature turbocharging and direct injection technology to achieve this goal. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit in the iosis MAX is further optimised through the use of a new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, intelligent alternator and six-speed Ford PowerShift double-clutch automated manual gearbox.
Ford says the EcoBoost engines will be progressively introduced to Ford’s European product range from early 2010.
03/02, 6:45 PM
posted by:
CADDY-V
I’m not a fan of small cars.
but this little thing looks kinda cool.
03/02, 7:05 PM
posted by:
gogogodzilla
I like it as it is!
03/02, 7:06 PM
posted by:
CiNO
I want to see it in Orange Sunset!
03/02, 7:51 PM
posted by:
bobby lee
It looks like a good size and use of space, but for once I hope the production doesn’t look the like the concept.
03/02, 8:14 PM
posted by:
cire_1wb
I’m looking to replace my current Mazda3 daily driver with another compact product. Since Mazda butchered the 2010 Mazda3, I may have to wait until Ford releases the next Focus. I just hope they get it right.
03/02, 8:43 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
I actually like the grille insert.. it’s still three bars like the US models, but since Honda completely stole that idea with its new Insight and City grilles, Ford has wisely made the bars simple outlines! The rest of the car is a little busy.. particularly the weird windows all around and over the back of the hatch!
03/02, 8:50 PM
posted by:
bolex
..i’ll believe it when i see it here in US and resemble the Euro version. from what i remember the Ford Focus in Europe were more expensive (better looking, and better equipped) because US consumers arent willing to pay the premium for a small car. I’m almost certain the US one will be so watered down it’ll be ripe and ready for ‘rental’ fleets. hope they prove me wrong coz that suckers nice lookin (for a small car..)
03/02, 10:28 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I think I had iosis once. Couple of weeks sticking to lite beer fixed me right up.
03/02, 11:19 PM
posted by:
Architect
Very nice.
03/02, 11:41 PM
posted by:
maxcar
this car has some wicked cool hinges. i especially appreciate the rear hatch hinging at the mid roof point. the hood opening is a tad impractical, though.
03/03, 1:24 AM
posted by:
Andre Neves
I’m so sick of these “radical” concepts.
It’s like false advertisement or bait & switch. They get you all hyped up for something that looks nothing like what you thought. Leave it as is for once!
The doors are hot, too bad it won’t happen though.
03/03, 7:27 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Andre, Radical concept how?
The fiesta was released looking VERY similar to the verve concept, albeit slightly tamer.
Screw the doors on this. If they’re like that, fine, if not, no worries – we’ve all been using normal doors for years, it won’t hurt that bad to carry on with it.
03/03, 11:40 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
I like it
03/03, 11:51 AM
posted by:
jonmiles
Very, very cool. Keep kicking ass, Ford.
03/03, 12:51 PM
posted by:
TomF
Great-looking car. GREAT. Although I fear that, same as the Kuga, the version we eventually see Stateside will look more like the box this car was shipped in.
03/03, 6:50 PM
posted by:
scratchy
ok , here goes , what is god for Ford is good for your Iosis problems. i miss Need more oil …
03/03, 8:12 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Nice little car.
03/04, 2:42 PM
posted by:
rams
Just wondering, when was the last time Ford had a cool concept car into a production car? ‘Coz this one actually is a cool one.
03/04, 3:30 PM
posted by:
krautninja
i guess i’m odd man out cuz i just …dont like it. and they say the front end is a preview of the new focus and i hope not becuase the front end just looks awkward to me. I do like the doors tho, that is pretty cool. and 180 hp from the new 1.6 ecotec seems like a good deal. other than that….im really not taken by this
03/05, 7:45 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
rams: Probably the current Focus RS – sure it’s not “cool” even in concept form, compared to the Focus RS envisioned by some fans, but it is true to its concept and is very good as a car.
03/05, 7:51 AM
posted by:
MercMark
A puke green tic tac
03/25, 12:17 AM
posted by:
ootlink
I’m going to go iosis in the toilet now.
04/06, 8:17 AM
posted by:
JSurfer1451
If only cars could make it to production and still look like this American car companies wouldn’t be in the crapper. I know it would be impossible for a car like this to meet safety requirements but I still think they should take more risks when putting a car out. Sometimes it’s hit or miss with the public, but it’s still better than the dumbed down boring a$$ cars that are on the roads now.