Meant as a compact SUV purpose built for customers in North America, Europe and China, the Vertrek is a blend of several existing Ford models: it offers the same cargo volume as the current Ford Escape (66.3 cubic feet/1,879 liters behind the first row and 29.2 cubic feet/828 liters behind the second row), borrows more than one design cue from the Kuga, and uses the 1.6l EcoBoost gasoline engine already deployed in Ford models.
Of course, there are a few technologies used in this concept that are not usually found in production models or, at least, not on a large scale. An Auto Start-Stop system is used to maximize mileage, just like is the case with the more common six-speed transmission.
“In markets around the world, consumers are very clear about what they want in a compact SUV – strong design, great driving quality, smart technology and the capability that helps get them to places they love to be,” said Jim Farley, group vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. “This holds true no matter where they live – in the U.S., Europe, China – these are global trends.”
Ford did not announce whether the model would go into production or not, but we bet that the Vertrek will spawn some type of production version to be part of the flood of Ford models promised for the near future.
Google News