Ford Iosis Selected For Villa D’este Concours

The Ford iosis concept car, which made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show as the definition of the company’s dramatic “kinetic design” form language, has been selected as one of the finalists in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The 2007 event takes place at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy between April 20 and 22. During the three day event, thirteen concept cars will be on display to visiting members of the public who will be able to vote for their favourite in a secret ballot at the Villa d’Erba on Sunday, April 22. The event is expected to attract around four thousand visitors.

The organising committee selected Ford iosis for its innovative impact on automotive design. Iosis preceded a range of new Ford’s products which include elements of “kinetic design” form language. These products are receiving very positive comments from customers and the media within Europe and elsewhere.

The first Ford production model that expresses the ‘energy in motion’ philosophy of the company’s dynamic new ‘kinetic design’ form language is the bold and sporty Ford S-MAX, which is Car of the Year 2007.

Together with “kinetic design” Ford has introduced a new brand philosophy of “Feel+” which is designed to highlight the new energy and emotion of Ford’s latest vehicle offerings, including the all-new Ford Mondeo.

“Feel+” is more than an advertising strapline, however, and represents a new way of thinking inside Ford for its latest products. With the emphasis on driving pleasure, high quality interiors, reliability and affordability, Ford is stepping up its delivery of new exciting products to its customers around the world.

Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe’s head of Exterior Design said: “The iosis is a benchmark concept vehicle for us, as it represents the purest expression of our “kinetic design” form language, representing energy in motion. Iosis also signalled the design future for Ford of Europe production models - a future that is now being realised with the Ford S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, and the all-new Mondeo, which provided the initial inspiration for this concept. We are delighted that the organisers have selected iosis to be a competitor at this event.”