Detroit 2011: Ford Vertrek Concept previews future global small crossover

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, Ford

Ford Vertrek Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

It may look like the strange lovechild of the 2012 Ford Focus and the European-spec Kuga crossover, but the Blue Oval’s new Vertrek crossover concept is indeed a visual upgrade compared to current small CUV offerings. The Vertrek, which makes its world debut here at the Detroit Auto Show, previews what’s in store for Ford’s new global small crossover, set to replace both the Escape here in North America as well as the Kuga abroad.

Powering the Vertrek is Ford’s new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine, and the addition of Auto Start-Stop technology means it will be even more efficient. Ford has said that Auto Start-Stop will quickly spread across the brand’s product portfolio, and since 90 percent of Blue Oval-badged vehicles will have an EcoBoost option by 2013, fuel efficiency is expected to rise quite dramatically across the automaker’s entire lineup. What’s more, Ford will be incorporating regenerative braking into its gasoline-powered vehicles, and this system works with the Vertrek’s turbocharged engine and start-stop system to boost fuel economy even higher.

The Vertrek also builds upon Ford’s Kinetic design language, first seen on the Fiesta hatchback and then carried over to the new Focus sedan and five-door. Sure, the large wheels, small headlamps and futuristic mirrors are purely conceptual design, but Photoshop on some bits from the Focus (with which the Vertrek shares its platform) and a possible production car is indeed in sight. The interior, too, is wholly forward thinking, and while we’d love to see this sort of design on a road-ready crossover, we fully expect a much more toned-down approach.

Click through the galleries of official high-res shots as well as our live shots from the show floor, and follow the jump for Ford’s official press release.

Gallery: Ford Vertrek Concept