The Verve Concept will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 11 September and the brand said it hints at the design direction for its future compact cars.

The carmaker said it plans to closely gauge public reaction while its designers work behind the scenes creating Ford's next generation supermini.

“Bold, even radical, the Ford Verve Concept demonstrates the potential of Ford's kinetic design philosophy to visualise a small car that is a chic and modern, and one that makes an individual statement for a sophisticated, fashion-aware generation,” said Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe.

The front of the supermini is dominated by a large, inverted trapezoidal lower grille with the familiar Ford oval centred in the compact upper opening.