Ford Iosis MAX Concept at 2009 Geneva Motor Show - KickingTires

Click above for image gallery of the Ford Iosis Max concept

Take note North Americans: The Ford iosis MAX concept that will debut tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show features the evolution of Ford Europe's Kinetic styling language that will be featured on the next-gen Focus. Why should you care? Because Ford has officially stated that North America and Europe will once again be sold the same Focus when the next model debuts. While the front is all Focus, the rear of the iosis MAX, including the trick two-piece rear hatch, is supposedly previewing the next C-Max, a Euro-only MPV that could also be sold in the States sometime in the near future. The interior, meanwhile, features many elements not suitable for production like floating seats upholstered in see-through netting, but the general shape of the dash could be close to production form if past Ford concepts are anything to go by. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the iosis MAX concept is its engine: a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder that's turbocharged and features direct injection to produce an impressive 178bhp. Mated to a dual-clutch transmission that's tuned for green driving, the powerplant is said to be 20% more efficient than a similarly sized gas engine. This engine will likely debut in the next-gen Focus and may be the second EcoBoost powerplant to join the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 here in the U.S. We'll bring you live shots of the iosis MAX from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show as soon as Ford pulls off the covers, so stay tuned.

UPDATE: Official press release and complete gallery of official high-res images added.

Ford iosis MAX concept hints at next-gen Focus

Click above for image gallery of the Ford iosis Max concept

We have to wait until tomorrow to actually see the Ford iosis MAX concept for ourselves (via out team at the Geneva Motor Show), but we do know what it'll look like and that it'll have a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is 20 percent more efficient than other similar gas burners. Our friends at Autoblog say this is probably the same engine that will be in the next-gen Focus and just might be the second EcoBoost powerplant, joining the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. The iosis Max is the third in the iosis concept car series - the others being the iosis concept car back in 2005 that helped shape the Mondeo, and the iosis X that became the Kuga CUV. The iosis Max design will be used for future Ford global C-segment vehicles. The front half of the next-gen Focus, which will be coming to both North America and Europe, will probably look very much like the front of the iosis Max. Like?

Ford's Iosis MAX Is A CUV By A Different Name

The third iteration of the Iosis that Ford brought to the Geneva Motor Show is a surprisingly stylish "multi-activity vehicle," and although it's just a concept, you'll see a lot of those styling cues on Ford's small cars.

Ford calls the styling of the four-seater "kinetic" and says the Iosis MAX shows how the style "is evolving and can be applied with stunning results to all vehicles in the Ford portfolio." The unique doors, extensive use of lightweight materials and aero tweaks could appear in other vehicles, and Ford says the fuel-saving tech under the hood will make its way to other cars beginning next year.

Slightly futuristic styling aside, this is another of the cars the Big Three has targeted specifically toward people with "active lifestyles."

Before the economy imploded and people stopped buying cars, SUVs were being pushed out by the more car-like crossover utility vehicles that Detroit discovered a couple of years ago. A lot of CUVs should be relegated to the "kill these cars now" list, but the vomit green (Ford calls it "limelight") Iosis MAX is cool because it's got some green cred. Think of it as an EcoUV.

The Iosis uses a four-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 180 horsepower. Ford claims the engine delivers 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional gasoline engines offering the same power. The engine features automatic start-stop technology and is mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Ford says the setup delivers 40 mpg. EcoBoost engines will begin appearing in some North American models later this year. Europe will start seeing them next year, along with start-stop.

As for the styling, Ford gave the Iosis a coupe-like appearance by giving it a stubby hood and raked roofline with a massive windshield at the front and "flying buttress" C-pillars at the back. Ford says the C-pillars and cantilevered spoiler improve aerodynamic efficiency at the back of the car, increasing fuel economy. It's a pretty slick package, even if we don't like the LED headlights.

Getting in and out of the Iosis looks to be a snap, what with no B-pillar separating the front and rear doors. The rear doors slide open like those on a mini-van and a two-piece hatchback lets you open the whole hatch or just the glass.

The inside is, typical of all concepts, pretty wild. The dashboard is otherworldly, and the center console is made of plexiglass that "rolls down from the instrument panel like a ribbon and flows through to the rear." Whatever. We do like the carbon fiber Star Trek-like bucket seats. They're mounted to that flowing ribbon of plexiglass instead of the floor, creating the illusion they're floating on air.

Photos: Ford.

And here's a rendering of the interior:

Ford iosis MAX concept unveiled

Ford previewed the latest iteration of its new global design language with the debut of the iosis MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show today. The front-end styling of the concept is said to be a direct preview of the next-generation Focus range, while the rear portion of the car foreshadows the next C-Max.

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Since the 2011 Focus will be identical in all markets, this should be of particular interest to North American consumers, considering Ford’s U.S.-spec Focus has traditionally been interior to its European counterpart. There are also rumors about eventual U.S. availability of the C-Max, so the iosis MAX is truly a global concept car.

The interior of the show car is mostly experimental, with “floating” bucket chairs, an exotic dash and center console, high-tech gauges, and stylish accelerator and brake pedals. The exterior also has a number of unique show-car touches, including sliding rear doors and uniquely hinged front doors. Frameless windows, the absence of a B-pillar, and a the panoramic glass roof are further touches that are unlikely to see production.

One production-intent feature of iosis MAX is its new 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost motor, which delivers 180 horsepower with 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional motors with similar power. The engines feature turbocharging and direct injection technology to achieve this goal. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit in the iosis MAX is further optimised through the use of a new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, intelligent alternator and six-speed Ford PowerShift double-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Ford says the EcoBoost engines will be progressively introduced to Ford’s European product range from early 2010.

Ford Iosis MAX Concept at 2009 Geneva Motor Show

• Looks like: European styling is here to stay
• Defining characteristics: Stubby front end and huge windshield
• Ridiculous features: Gill-like headlights, sliding rear doors
• Chance of being mass-produced: This is the design concept for Ford’s next global C-Car, which we know as the Focus

This year’s Geneva Motor Show holds even less interest for American consumers than usual, but Ford’s Iosis MAX concept is of vital importance to the company’s U.S. lineup. Ford says this is a look at the design it’s considering for its next global C-car. That’s the size of the Ford Focus here in the States. Ford has already said the next U.S. Focus will be the same model as what’s sold globally, unlike the current model, which is made strictly for the U.S. market.

Expect a new Focus to come in calendar year 201,1 and we’d expect a formal concept or even an early production version to be shown off at auto shows in 2010.

But what about this concept right here? It looks promising. The long, sloping windshield might seem fanciful and a bit impractical (imagine that morning commute sunshine), but Germany’s Opel sells a car with a similar windshield. It should translate to a very bright and airy cabin, at least.

The hatchback shape is a must for sales in Europe and will hopefully mark the return of a four-door Focus hatchback in the U.S. We’d still think Ford would add a sedan as well. The rear hatch features an opening glass panel, which is rarely seen on today’s cars and SUVs.

Unlikely to make it to production are the sliding rear doors, like a minivan’s, and glass roof. The engine is a four-cylinder turbo that Ford is rolling out in Europe now. It’s expected to return excellent mileage that Ford says is 20% better than the competition.

More photos below.

Ford iosis MAX Concept