The artifact is a prototype called the "Alpe," originally designed by Ghia as a retrofit of the Ford Escort to create a boxy, compact crossover. This pioneering concept, which debuted at the 1996 Turin Auto Show, preceded innovative designs like the Pontiac Aztek and anticipated trends in SUVs and crossovers years before they came to dominate the market.
The Alpe was shown again with slight modifications in design at the Detroit Auto Show in 1998. Despite its promising potential verified at two significant automotive events, it never transitioned into production. Ford shelved the concept after acquiring Land Rover from BMW in 2000.
The specifications of Alpe included novel features for its time: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, four-wheel drive, high ground clearance provided by a robust suspension system, and visually distinctive elements like 17-inch wheels and maroon-colored dashboard.Parts of its upholstery were made from recycled soda bottles.
Ross Roberts, then General Manager of Ford Division, highlighted that Alpe was developed to assess market response to an economically priced small crossover targeting competitors such as Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. By 2001 however, this niche began to be filled with the launch of Ford’s first-gen Escape and later on broadened with the introduction of EcoSport in various global markets.
Source: Top Gear
