The challenge that faced Lamm and his team was to develop a new form language based on sound Ford core values, reinterpreting these elements in a bold, fresh and contemporary manner.
"Our task was to create compelling design that harnesses this energy in motion and visualises it.” Explains Martin Smith.
Lamm takes up the theme: “At Ford we need to demonstrate the design spirit of the vehicle with an expressive, new language."
“The forms will be more distinctive and emotional, more athletic, more muscular.”
Smith and his team had to quickly identify the graphic elements that are recognised key signatures of Ford design. Some of those were first seen in the SAV Concept and have been further developed by the team for iosis.
Foremost amongst those key DNA elements is the ‘inverse trapezoid' air intake below the chromed grille.
“Together the upper and lower grille graphic represent the new face of Ford,” says Tonello.
Further distinctive design elements are the well defined wheelarch lip originally seen on Focus in 1998, and the strong shoulder, which is supported by a dynamic undercut line running the length of the vehicle.
The inverted trapezoid motif is echoed throughout the exterior and interior of iosis: it is also featured in the 20-inch wheels, milled from solid aluminium billets, with their contrasting polished and anodised finish that accentuates their 3-D design.
Another recurring design theme is the kick-up in the DLO at the ‘C' post, which is echoed in the headlamp design. It is also reminiscent of the kick-up in the hood itself that raises the upper surface to give sufficient clearance from engine hard points below. This ridge then continues along the ‘A' post and cant rail before terminating in the cat's eye style rear light clusters.
The front lamps have an inner circular turning LED for low beam with a vertical day time running light, separating it from the turn signal on the outer edge and beneath all of that ten main beam LEDs, emerging when lit from tubes like a series of lasers.
The theme is echoed in the rear light cluster with its new design of tail lights employing a circle with a flattened top, flanked to the outside by the indicators and inboard by the stop lights. In addition to the obligatory high mounted stop lamp, there's an additional series of LEDs running above the venturi that automatically increase in intensity according to weather visibility or the driver's braking effort.
Mounted in the rear valance is a camera to complement those on each door that replace conventional mirrors. By using three cameras the driver is assured of a complete rearward view to augment the interior mirror. The exterior cameras are pieces of machined aluminium.
A particularly dramatic aspect of iosis is its angled pivoting door arrangement that gives complete, uninterrupted access to the interior. Constructed from carbon fibre, the doors are powered by ram motors that swing them upwards and outwards from the ‘A' and ‘C' posts via a system of sophisticated hinges that ensure additional support isn't required when the doors are open. For structural integrity and safety the rear door pegs into the cant rail and sill to provide the ‘B' post and can only be operated once the front door is open.
