Ford Start Concept: Simplicity Ruled The Design

Today Ford has released images of the new ‘Start’ concept car set to debut at this years Bejing Motor Show. The car is a study of what a small urban vehicle from Ford might look like. J Mays, Ford’s Strategic Concepts Group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer remarks that the design philosophy for the Start Concept was one of making music, not noise.

The concept of simplicity can be found all around us, Mays explains. Endearing designs in architecture, home furnishings, appliances, transportation, or even a good screenplay are often similar in one respect – simplicity. Our vision was to look at a small car holistically, like slicing through an onion where every layer gave meaning, function, and substance to the next. As in nature, taking this approach creates beautiful, endearing objects.

The exterior design is a more minimal interpretation of Ford’s ‘kinetic’ styling found on current models. Sweeping lines dominate over the angular details notable on the kinetic vocabulary.

The simplicity theme carries through the interior, with more of a performance personality. The steering wheel has a red ’12 o’clock’ marker on it, a feature commonly used by race car drivers. The seats feature interchangeable pads allowing the owner to create a personalized combination. Additionally the Start features a conceptual look at “MyFord Mobile”. Smart phones can be docked in the car and apps can be shared through a touch screen interface. The concept is an interesting evolution of the vehicle becoming more like an electronics gadget.

Ford says this is just a concept and have no production plans formalized. VW Beetle, Fiat 500, Mini, we’re coming for you… was our first reaction to seeing the Start concept. We also wonder if someone at Ford stumbled on some old 021c photos and got inspired.

UPDATE: Car Body Design has posted some development drawings of the Start concept. The sketches show how the design theme was simplified and refined. We’ve included a few images below.

[via autoblog, carbodydesign]
Ford