Ford has announced further plans for its show stand in Frankfurt next month. We've already been shown designer sketches of the Kuga compact SUV and today Ford announced plans to launch a new range of models developed specifically for low emissions of carbon dioxide. Ford will badge these models ECOnetic and changes include improved aerodynamics, lower rolling resistance tyres and even low viscosity transmission fluid. However, bigger news is the release of these first photographs of the Ford Verve concept car. Both the Ka and Fiesta are due for replacement, but we believe the Verve shows how the latter will look, albeit with all the jewellery necessary for a show car. The distinctive magenta paint colour draws attention to the svelte profile, but, like the glass roof and lack of a B-pillar, we don't expect to see it on the final production model. However, the core shape of the Verve still bodes well for the new Fiesta, which will replace the rather dull current design. It's very much a Ford too, sharing detailing with the new Mondeo and S-MAX, but the nose is unique and almost Peugeot-like with a large inverted trapezoidal lower grille taking pride of place below a sliver of chrome supporting the Ford badge. While it's thought that even the three-door model will feature B-pillars, we think that the overall side profile will be retained, including the rear-end that mixes the original Focus with the iosis X concept car. Inside, the Verve concept uses bright colours with a distinctly classy appearance to distance itself from the myriad super-minis on the market and though the deep aubergine colour of the dashboard is unlikely to make it into the showroom, the basic architecture will. Ford's designers took inspiration from the latest generation of mobile phones, banking on the fact that young buyers will have grown up with such technology. The car will have to be intuitive to use for young and old though, so we look forward to the finished article.

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