Press Release
Exterior design development: a saloon that thinks it's a coupe
Unique proportions and a stunningly original design define Ford of Europe's new design language
An original double pivoting and pillarless door opening system for optimum interior access
Dramatic, precision, high technology lighting
Cameras replace rear view mirrors to offer unparalleled all-round visibility
This car represents a vision of the future for Ford's design direction. It will send a very clear message that the SAV Concept shown at Geneva 2005 was the first step forward in an exciting journey for Ford design. iosis is the design statement that defines the future of the Ford brand in
Martin Smith, Ford of
iosis is an exciting blend of four-seater saloon configuration encapsulated within a muscular coupe profile that is unique within its size and class.
This startling new design theme penned by a team led by Chief Designer Exteriors, Stefan Lamm and including Domenico ‘Nico' Tonello (Design Manager, Exterior Design) and Andrea di Buduo (Designer), showcases elements that will influence a new generation of Ford products.
The current generation of Ford products are contemporary, modern designs that demonstrate great build quality and fine execution. We are using that basis to create the next generation of vehicles,” explains Lamm.
But, he says, we only have to look at what is happening in design away from the automotive industry such as interior design, architecture, media and other fields to see the cautious direction that dominated towards the end of the last century is now being abandoned for designs that are more experimental and dramatic, “Maybe it has to do with the start of a new millennium,” he suggests.
The challenge that faced Lamm and his team was to develop a new form language based on sound Ford core values, reinterpreting these elements in a bold, fresh and contemporary manner.
With both Smith and Lamm relatively new to Ford, both men had to immerse themselves in the marque's core values as Martin Smith explains: Ford has been producing vehicles which are great fun to drive and set the bench mark in driving dynamics, the best gear change, quickest steering and superb handling but you don't know that until you get into them. Our task was to create compelling design that harnesses this energy in motion and visualises it.
Lamm takes up the theme: At Ford we need to demonstrate the design spirit of the vehicle with an expressive, new language."
The forms will be more distinctive and emotional, more athletic, more muscular. Equally, we have to combine safety and dynamic performance and still keep the brand identity of the Blue Oval.”
Smith and his team had to quickly identify the graphic elements that are recognised key signatures of Ford design. Some of those were first seen in the SAV Concept and have been further developed by the team for iosis.
Foremost amongst those key DNA elements is what the design team refers to as the ‘inverse trapezoid' air intake below the premium chromed grille.
Together the upper and lower grille graphic represent the new face of Ford,” says Tonello.
Design elements familiar from racing cars have been used on iosis . Walk round the car and its muscular profile draws it into the tarmac like a sprinter poised on his fingertips in the blocks, fingers straining, muscles coiled, tense with anticipation for the starting gun.
The iosis has great stance, it is powerful, assertive, confident and it just cries out to be driven:
That's kinetic design, it's energy in motion says Smith, and it's unique to Ford.
A further element that was considered an imperative by the team is the further development of the well defined wheelarch lip originally seen on Focus in 1998.
Beyond that, the team wanted to give iosis a more three-dimensional form language with a greater sculptural feeling to the body and a dramatic plan view. This last feature is most evident from above, of course, but it also serves to shorten the front visual overhang.
Elements that create this new expressive design language include the strong shoulder, which is supported by a dynamic undercut line running the length of the vehicle. The strength of the shoulder is complemented by the visual strength of the rocker panel, which itself balances the bold graphics of the Day Light Opening (DLO) graphic.
The inverted trapezoid motif is echoed throughout the exterior and interior of iosis, either in complete, exaggerated or partial form creating a unique design signature for the next generation of Blue Oval products. It is not difficult, for instance, to spot this feature in the 20-inch wheels, milled from solid aluminium billets, with their contrasting polished and anodised finish that accentuates their 3-D design.
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 reminiscent of the kick-up in the hood itself that raises the upper surface to give sufficient 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.
One of the most dramatic perspectives of the vehicle is when viewed from the rear three-quarter where the interplay of the chamfered edge of the rear window and the matching form of the tail lamps provides an immediately recognisable graphic with the shape of the exhausts completing the picture. It is this complex surfacing and precise attention to detail that gives iosis its tense, muscular stance.
Ford's growing reputation for craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail is further enhanced and developed in iosis and, especially, in the lights which are carefully crafted pieces of automotive jewellery mounted in milled aluminium structures.
The front lamps have an inner circular turning LED for low beam with a vertical day time running light, separating it from the turn signal on the outer edge and beneath all of that ten main beam LEDs, emerging when lit from tubes like a series of lasers.
The theme is echoed in the rear light cluster with its new design of tail lights employing a circle with a flattened top, flanked to the outside by the indicators and inboard by the stop lights. In addition to the obligatory high mounted stop lamp, there's an additional series of LEDs running above the venturi that automatically increase in intensity according to weather visibility or the driver's braking effort.
Advanced technology where it's used on iosis is practical and realistic. Mounted in the rear valance is a camera to complement those on each door that replace conventional mirrors. By using three cameras the driver is assured of a complete rearward view to augment the interior mirror. The exterior cameras are pieces of precisely machined aluminium, swept back to further underline the car's visual athleticism and appearance.
