Maya II ES

Ford SVO was initially favorable to the Maya design. However, when they saw the investment plans envisaged in the feasibility study Giugiaro had carried out on the basis of the scale 1:1 polystyrene model, they abandoned. Giugiaro and Mantovani, however, decided to finish in any case the on-going design studies and to build the prototype, converting it to an autonomous research where Ford USA would only supply the engine. After having seen the Lotus and the Maya at the Show, Ford SVO decided to start the Maya program up again and asked Giugiaro for two new proposals: the first with a revised design (Maya II ES), and a longitudinal-engined mule (Maya II EM). Giugiaro this time had a freer hand in the general approach to the surface design but was also more tied to conditions with the components. The architecture of shape of the Maya was to stay unchanged but the concept regarding the surfaces was to be decidedly softer.