September 28, 2006 - Ford of Europe's Design team has interpreted the Company's distinctive new 'kinetic design' form language in the iosis X which makes its debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Ford iosis X is very clearly a concept and is not intended to be representative of this future production model. Instead, it sets out to explore the ways in which Ford's kinetic design form language and detailing can be applied to a niche vehicle in a rugged and exciting way.Key elements of kinetic design are trapezoidal shapes and three-dimensional forms and the interplay between them. Whilst the inverted grille at the front is the most obvious trapezoidal graphic it appears in many other interpretations throughout the exterior: the intakes at the front, the chamfers at the base of the windscreen and rear window, within the wheels, in the C post kink and the ridges running down the bonnet are all elements of this basic shape.
The interior is dominated by a new 'interlocking bridge' centre console structure inspired by modern helicopter cockpit design. The large console dives down from the instrument panel dividing the front and rear pairs of seats and dominating the interior before dramatically sweeping upwards at the rear and into the roof.Although iosis X is not intended to be a mechanical prototype, it is fitted with an electronic sequential gear change control in the centre console.
Interpreted the company's distinctive new 'kinetic design' form language, the new crossover concept made its debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, sporting a high ride height, sleek styling and teeny tiny side mirrors mounted high above the window line.
The Ford iosis X is very clearly a concept and is not intended to be representative of a future production model. Instead, it sets out to explore the ways in which Ford's kinetic design form language and detailing can be applied to a niche vehicle in a rugged and exciting way. In other words, the numerous styling cues may be used as inspiration in a new sporty AWD designed by Ford of Europe.
In his concept vehicle at Frankfurt 2005, Martin Smith and his team revealed the new form language that ultimately will be applied in varying levels across Ford's future European vehicle portfolio, and can be seen in the new Ford Mondeo, for example. The original iosis presented all of the key elements of what Ford identified as 'kinetic design' in their purest form.
Ford has revealed that one of the specific purposes of iosis X is to prepare the public for the introduction of a future Ford of Europe (FoE) niche model. "There's been a lot of speculation about Ford producing a compact crossover or Sport Utility vehicle," said John Fleming, the President and CEO at Ford of Europe. "The iosis X is intended to send a very strong message that we will be entering this market in around eighteen months from now, and that our new model will be both stylish and individual."
Looking at this latest prototype vehicle, the front of the iosis X features the bold new Ford of Europe face translated into a more rugged look to convey the strength of the vehicle. Most noticeable are the strong inverted trapezoid elements, including a prominent lower grille section.
"We're calling this car iosis X as a deliberate link to our 'kinetic design' concept car lineage started last year," said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's chief of design. "The link is not just in the name – there's a strong visual relationship between the two cars, and the 'X' signals the new vehicle's crossover capabilities.
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