From official press release:

FORD CONCEPT VEHICLES AT THE BRITISH MOTOR SHOW

There are five concept vehicles on display on the Ford stand at the British International Motor Show, including two Mondeo-based coupes which are making their world debut — the Ghia Vivace and Arioso,

The Ghia Arioso and Vivace are exciting two-door coupe concepts which use the running gear of the latest 2.5-litre V6-powered Mondeo 24V. Styled by the Ghia studio in Turin, the Arioso and Vivace demonstrate two possibilities for speciality products with different and distinctive personalities.

Director of Ford's European Design Centre, Fritz Mayhew, said: "Ford is serious about selling exciting products with a strong character, and the Ghia Arioso and Vivace show cars are bold designs which reflect that commitment. Ford's new global structure offers some great new opportunities for speciality vehicles of all kinds, and these two concept studies give our customers a flavour of the type of vehicle that could be possible."

Ghia Arioso

The Arioso is a sleek four-seater coupe. It has an aluminium spaceframe, which remains visible as a design feature of the vehicle. Body panels are made of carbon fibre which helps to reduce weight, while the simple exterior construction allows the easy fitment of replacement panels.

Novel features are the twin tracks built into the roof structure for the full width, retracting sunroof and rear window. The sunroof can operate conventionally or it can retract, along with the rear window, into the boot to make the Arioso a full convertible but with the structural rigidity and added safety offered by a coupe design.

The design process constantly explores new ways to use existing state-of-the-art products, ways to appeal to new markets, attract attention or meet new needs. Fresh forms and novel attributes bring new customers. Sometimes while creating a new concept a feature or stylish way of dealing with an old problem will come to mind and even small innovations can make the exercise worthwhile.

The Ghia Arioso concept is a design study for a 4-seat sports coupe on the versatile Ford Mondeo, Contour and Mystique platform using the 2.6 liter 24-valve V6 powerplant to create a roomy, flexible and attractive vehicle. In the Arioso concept, Ghia has proposed making its aluminum space frame part of the design, taking a structural part of the chassis and using it, unadorned, as a design element.

The Ghia Arioso concept is designed for construction from modular lightweight carbon fiber body panels that are easily replaceable should repair be necessary, mounting directly to the aluminum space frame. It also proposes a retractable sunroof and rear window assembly. Mounted in tracks integral with the curved roof, the rear window and sunroof panels would retract into a compartment behind the rear seats. In Ghia's concept the sunroof itself would also retract separately, giving the Ghia Arioso concept a multi-functional utility ranging from a fully open convertible to a fully weather-protected coupe.

It's body design is highlighted by the aggressive nose with a split wide oval air intake and ovoid transparent covers over projector-style head and marker lights. The tail lights are vivid red slashes high on the edges of the rear deck, with angle cut dual exhaust pipes projecting through the bodywork. The body is tightly wrapped over the space frame structure and defines the wheel arches for a purposeful appearance.

The Ghia Arioso concept is a non-functional platform built of fiberglass with plexiglass glazing. It rides on 250/50 ZR 17 Pirelli P700-Z tires and has a dummy interior with no access through the doors. The paint is poorly applied, with some orange peel and fisheyes, but is sound and is not scratched or worn.

Airy, light, the Ghia Arioso concept is just that.

SOURCE: Christie’s