THERE's a lot of future production ambition pinned to the arrival of Ford's three-row sport activity vehicle concept model.

It shows a stylish future, and also demonstrates new ideas for people and load-carrying flexibility.

Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe, says: "We believe that within the family car market there is great potential for a non-traditional vehicle with the profile, proportions and appearance that reflect an active lifestyle.

"The Ford SAV (sport activity vehicle) concept also demonstrates how we can use our flexible vehicle architectures to create a broader array of model variants that will attract more people to the Ford brand. This is the beginning of an evolving story and is indicative of an exciting future."

Positioned between the Ford Galaxy and Mondeo, the concept takes the innovative "business class" flexible rear seating concept, first seen in Focus C-MAX, to the next level, introducing a remote-controlled rear-seat configuration system and an integral stowage system.

At the touch of a button, the three individual seats, which form the rear seat row, can be reconfigured. Using electric motors, the middle seat slides rearward into a central location, and nestles between integrated, fitted luggage trolleys, which provide built-in armrests for the third-row passenger.

The two outer seats then shift inward slightly to provide each occupant with more space and comfort.

Incidentally, all the car's seats are contoured and similar to those shaped for motor sport, providing all-round support.

The silhouette of the concept is unique, with raked windscreen and an arching roofline that ends in an integral tailgate spoiler.

The front of the car features large, dual-lamp headlamps, raked bonnet and bumper sections shaped around a wide, deep inverted lower grille opening.

Fog lamps are positioned higher and more centrally than in past Ford models, becoming a much more dominant design feature, while the lower bumper carries deeply dished brake cooling ducts finished in brushed aluminium.

At the back, the concept features an upswept window balanced by two-piece tail lamps extending on to the tailgate. It rides on 21-inch, low-profile performance tyres fitted to aluminium wheels cast with five bold, Y-tipped spokes.

From its steering wheel - with electronic up shift and downshift buttons integrated into thumb grips - to the hip-hugging forms of the contoured sports seats, the interior of the SAV is performance orientated.

The interior is finished in tones of slate and pewter, with some design details in orange. Bright orange accents in the seating, floor coverings, leather-wrapped gear lever and instrument panel complete the theme, down to such small details as the lighting of switches and gauges.

Titanium-tinted aluminium is also used inside, particularly in the control areas such as the gear lever, the electric park brake handle and vent surrounds.

The concept is equipped with a deeply dished instrument cluster incorporating a high-resolution display panel at the centre. Each gauge - rev counter, speedometer, temperature gauge and fuel gauge - features an orange needle radiating from an aluminium hub.

Brushed aluminium pedals with textured rubber inserts provide a further driver-orientated design detail.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, April 08, 2005