Ford has unveiled a new Verve concept car as a followup to the four-door version shown at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China in November. Overall, this concept is quite similar to the Chinese concept, with some changes to the car’s face.
While the Chinese Verve four-door was derived directly from the original Verve Hatchback concept, this new Verve sedan has a rethought grille design and more aggressive front fascia.
The Verve Hatchback — introduced in August — was a direct preview of the forthcoming next-generation Ford Fiesta, which is expected to be sold in North America, Europe and Asia.
Ford has described the sedan as a “small-car vision for North America.” Ford has suggested the car might hit the market in 2010.
While it’s not clear if any possible production version of the Verve sedan will be sold under the Fiesta nameplate of something else, Ford apparently intends to bring this car to market.


01/13, 5:18 AM
posted by:
Ecky69
Build it and they will come. If Ford stays true to the design, I can see people in the small car market really taking to this. But, I can see Ford screwing this up somehow.
01/13, 9:07 AM
posted by:
larsim
You wanna know why Ford will never build this vehicle here in the US? Because it looks good. They, Toyota, Chev, etc (for the most part), would rather keep feeding the public with boring/uninspiring vehicles. I continue to buy Nissan/Infinity. Thank you very much :]
01/13, 9:10 AM
posted by:
Brendino
I think the front end took a step backwards from China to America. Wonder if this was done for engineering reasons…
Other than that, I think it’s a really interesting shape, and to be honest this thing is so elegantly designed on the outside that it’d probably make more sense as a Lincoln. Heck, it’d probably actually make a profit that way!
01/13, 9:25 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
I’ll say this much, it’s a definite improvement over the awful Chinese concept.
01/13, 11:03 AM
posted by:
Zo
This looks good but would be way too expensive to sell as a Ford. I like the Lincoln idea Brendino.
01/13, 11:09 AM
posted by:
golf4me
Pretty nice, but the interior is quite busy looking. They tried way too hard in there. I hope this grille will become the new “3 bar” across the brand. It’s much better than the Edge/Fusion/Taurus versions.
01/13, 12:32 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomr
The bigger upper grille and simplified headlights are huge improvements from the China concept.. but now the grouperesque lower grille with the mismatched insert seems a bit superfluous. I’d rather they just bring the Mazda2 over as is, and stop trying to Americanize it for Ford.
01/13, 12:53 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
this is better then the focus
01/13, 1:54 PM
posted by:
chadsuke
This would definitely help Ford out. I really like the design. I understand that engineers will probably have to make the roof a little taller for the production version for the sake of headroom as well as remove most of the eye candy on the exterior and interior, but as long as they keep the basic shape it should look great. The 1.6L from the previous Fiesta will probably be the engine offered and should be perfectly adequate. I’m amazed that they made a B-seg sedan concept that actually has a good looking rear end. I would buy this for 13K-14K over a Yaris sedan for sure.
01/13, 3:20 PM
posted by:
barnedo
Now that’s what I’m talking about Ford. This is sick….in a good way. Build it! And don’t change it from the concept!!!!!!!
01/13, 4:19 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
As much as I want to see a WRC version of the Focus sold in the US I would also like to see a WRC version of this car sold in the US as well. The Focus would occupy a higher perfromance and price range while the Fiesta/Verve would be a more like Civic Si money and counter the Suzuki Swift when that gets back around to American shores
01/13, 7:08 PM
posted by:
Robert
What you see is pretty much what we’re getting. Sort of like the difference between the Accord concept and the real coupe - some toning down, but not a drastic departure. This car will debut in the U.S. in 2009 as a 2010 model.
The base engine is expected to be a 1.6. The 1.4 EcoBoost is expected to make it on as well (150hp or so).
So, for all of you who are going to tell us why this car will never make it here - you are completely wrong. Sorry.
01/13, 9:06 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
So what you’re saying, ‘Robert’, is that ‘LP’ is wrong? Wow, what a surprise. And by surprise I mean that he’s got a perfect record of being wrong and worthless.
01/13, 9:13 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
CA36gtp, Zoomzoomer- The Chinese concept is the same, with the exception of it’s fog lights, bumper and wheels.
golf4me- I agree, but I think it looks very spacious and active that way. Would you agree?
01/13, 9:48 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
The point of having a concept is to gauge the public’s interest, people. A manufacturer wants to see what design features work and which don’t before putting something on the market. Simply state your opinion and get on with your life, please.
IMO, the rear of the car looks good but the front just looks odd. Maybe if they chop off the lower 1/4th of the whole car it would look better.
01/13, 11:22 PM
posted by:
Robert
Well… LP and larsim. Both pinnacles of automotive accuracy. Not that veiled, huh?
01/14, 12:13 AM
posted by:
(V)ike
Kill the fusion and build this.
01/14, 12:49 AM
posted by:
Brendino
LP, you had a chance to show that you weren’t totally biased by saying that it’s a nice concept. But you skipped it and went straight for the Ford bashing.
come on, dude. give props where props are due
01/14, 1:31 AM
posted by:
A4
Iarsim, if youre going to buy INFINITI, learn how to spell their name.
01/14, 8:28 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Damn this thing looks great! I really want to see one on the lot though. Like LP640 said, see what makes it to production. Great concept(s) Ford!
01/14, 8:52 AM
posted by:
Justacarguy
Will Ford going back in the good times?
Times when Ford Design as Escort, Sierra, Thunderbird, Tempo, Taurus, were the most advanced, the most radical, even than Audi or BMW.
Do not stay on promises, DO THE F….G THING!!!!!!
01/14, 10:41 AM
posted by:
jonnycat
Much better than the last release of the sedan.
01/14, 11:19 AM
posted by:
chadsuke
It’s a shame that Ford won’t just scale up the size a little to C-seg and make this the replacement Focus.
01/14, 8:12 PM
posted by:
SERSteve
I like! might want to tone down the red interior, before production.
01/15, 10:55 AM
posted by:
superbad
The interior is obviously all concept. The exterior is so nice for a small car and I hope that Ford changes very little for production - they got this right! worth the wait for a B segment car. Nice interior materials are a great idea - it might convince some mid size sedan owners to downsize.
01/16, 12:30 AM
posted by:
mazdaman
I thought the Verve looked a little odd as a sedan when I first saw the Chinese concept. It looks much better to me now. In fact, I can’t wait for it to reach U.S. shores. I don’t care if it’s called Fiesta or Verve, just bring it to market looking as much like the concept as possible. I hope Ford takes full advantage of the good looks of this line by offering 3 and 5 door variants as well. I think all 3 variants would have a place in the U.S. market.
It’s a shame that the 2008 Focus didn’t look more like this. I think I could almost forgive the carryover platform if they would have just dropped a more attractive design on top of it.