New Ford Kuga Concept Car
Ford has revealed its next-generation Kuga, which will be previewed as a concept, called Vertrek, making its world debut at the Detroit motor show.
Based on the Focus platform, the Vertrek is designed to show how Ford’s small SUV could become another ‘global’ model.
The company claims the Vertrek combines “European kinetic design and driving quality” with “cargo space, trailer-tow and off-road capability for North America”. It has not revealed any dimensions for the car, although the increased overhangs beyond the Focus platform would indicate it is larger than the current Kuga.
The Vertrek has a dramatic combination of sheet metal and glass in its roof, but this is almost certain to give way to a more conventional panoramic glass roof on the production model. Other exterior details include a carbonfibre rear diffuser and camera-based side mirrors.
The cabin has a large central ‘floating tunnel’, underlit to brighten the rear area, and a fascia that builds on the current Fiesta and latest Focus. Dashboard architecture is thought to be close to that planned for production.
The production Kuga could be at the Frankfurt motor show this autumn, and on sale in early 2012. Ford is also planning a baby brother for the car: a crossover based on the Fiesta platform.
