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(Thu 19 Jul 07) As promised, Ford will have a production version of its iosis X concept on sale early next year.
The iosis X was put on display at the 2006 Paris Show (see previous story) and was partly an exercise in developing Ford's "kinetic design". But Ford also said that a production car could enter the market "in around 18 months". The Kuga is that car. Only a styling sketch has been issued so far, but it's clear that Ford has already backed off from some of the wilder design ideas of the iosis X; there's a larger glass area, for example, and the front end is a bit less fussy. Like the earlier concept, the Kuga is a five-door sports crossover, basically an SUV but with an attempt at dynamic on-road ability. According to Ford's Chief Designer for Exteriors, Stefan Lamm, "we believe that there is a role for a more athletic and charismatic vehicle that marks a departure from the norm, in the same way that the award-winning Ford S-MAX carved out new territory for an MPV." The Kuga will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Show in September. Production will begin at Ford's plant in Saarlouis, Germany, early next year, and European sales will start in the spring. Previous: Keeping Sane On Holiday Next: Girls On The Grand Tour |
