Ford kinetic Design has been around since 2004 and since then it has revolutionised the look of Ford’s models across the range. Martin Smith is Ford’s Executive Design Director and he describes Ford kinetic Design as “bold, dynamic lines and full surfaces”. The aim of kinetic Design is to achieve a constant appearance of motion, even when the car is still.
Since its implementation this design philosophy has been renewed and updated through many generations of Ford models. People were first presented with the embodiment of Ford kinetic Design in the showcasing of the SAV concept car in 2005. This innovative concept informed the design of the popular S-MAX and since then this original design has also inspired the Galaxy, Mondeo, Kuga, Focus, Fiesta and Ka models.
Each model that embraces Ford kinetic Design is intended to provoke an emotional response to its aesthetic. Martin Smith summarises this ambition by explaining that he wants people to see a Ford car and instinctively think, “I want one.” This started as an ambition and is now a reality, as Ford’s strong line up of visually striking and attractive cars clearly shows.
Until 2007 the Ford kinetic Design philosophy had only been explored with large cars. This changed with the Verve concept, which was showcased at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Verve signalled Ford’s intention to position itself at the leading edge of small car design. Stefan Lamm, Chief Exterior Designer for Ford of Europe, stated that Ford was aiming to “create individual cars for individual customers.”
The Verve concept was dramatic and different, with a sleek roofline and a structure that omitted the B pillar. It was also radical on the inside and was expressly designed to be user-friendly for the new generation of drivers who had grown up with mobile phones. The technological innovation of the interior reflected the pioneering design of the exterior, and as a whole the Verve concept was a huge step forward for Ford kinetic Design.
The Fiesta arrived in 2008, embodying Ford’s latest design principles in a stylish exterior that featured a sleek front end and a dynamic belt line that ran the length of the car. It was sophisticated and brought Ford kinetic Design into the future, with an intuitive and mobile phone-inspired entertainment system.
The iosis concept premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. It was a revolutionary design which developed the ideas first expressed by the original SAV concept car. It visualised the essence of “energy in motion” with striking graphic signatures, such as the distinctive air intakes below the front grille. Other elements which embraced Ford kinetic Design included the prominent wheel arches and bold stance.
Inside, the iosis concept car showcased a high-tech look with a contemporary feel. Interior design is just as important as how the car looks from the outside, and it has to create an environment that is both comfortable and practical. The iosis used the finest materials to deliver this, with tough neoprene and soft premium leather.
The iosis concept translated into the production-ready Ford Mondeo, retaining its integral design features to deliver the same visual impact. The Ford kinetic Design language expresses the power and grace of the Mondeo and this fundamental aspect of the design can be seen in every iteration of the popular car since. As a result the Ford Mondeo is a clear embodiment of the “energy in motion” design principle.
The evolution from the iosis concept into the iosis X took just one year. In 2006 the iosis X made its debut at the Paris Motor Show and demonstrated that Ford kinetic Design was a versatile design language which can be applied effectively to other models, not just the Mondeo. This concept took the “energy in motion” principle to new heights to show a glimpse of Ford models in the future.
Although the concept had evolved, the iosis X design was clearly recognisable from earlier iterations. The dynamic crease running down the centre of the body was common to the iosis concept, also appearing on the Mondeo and iosis X concept models, as was the swooping shape of the side window.
Ruth Pauli, Chief Designer of Colour and Trims, said that the iosis X concept also moved Ford kinetic Design forward with the quality of execution and materials.
The Ford Kuga launched in 2009 with heavy influences from the iosis X concept. It was an all-wheel drive model with a powerful stance and a spacious, practical interior. The bold styling and distinctive graphics developed through the iosis X concept gave the new model an impression of constant motion, even when stationary.
The 2009 Geneva Motor Show witnessed the launch of the iosis-MAX concept, which previewed Ford’s ideas for a new Multi Activity Vehicle (MAV). This concept took practicality in a totally different direction to other manufacturers, with a bold and sleek design that meant the car could be both family-friendly and appeal to the style-conscious. The iosis-MAX defined the next stage in Ford kinetic Design and pioneered cutting-edge materials, mechanisms and aerodynamic forms.
The intelligently designed interior offered abundant space within a space-age influenced cabin. The fresh, uncluttered feel of the dashboard gave the driver an ergonomic control space and brought form and function together seamlessly.
The overarching aim of the Ford kinetic Design movement is to establish Ford as a design leader in the automotive industry. The philosophy of “energy in motion” remains constant but the implementation of Ford’s bold ideas constantly changes and evolves. The distinctive exterior and interior features that have resulted from this ongoing design process can now be seen across the Ford range, from the Ka to the Galaxy.