An all-new Ford C-MAX range made its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show but it will not go on sale here until the second half of next year.
The stylish new C-MAX family brings new levels of style and desirability to the compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV ) market, with a bold and dynamic new look which extends Ford’s acclaimed ‘kinetic design’ language.
For the first time, Ford's MAV customers will have the choice of a five seat C-MAX or the new seven seat Grand C-MAX, which features twin sliding doors and innovative seat design to provide outstanding space and flexibility.
The all-new Ford C-MAX range introduces a number of advanced new technologies to the compact MAV class focused on enhanced comfort, safety and sustainability, including the availability of new and powerful yet highly fuel-efficient low-C02 Ford EcoBoost petrol engines.
The new models are also the first products to be launched from Ford's new, global C-segment vehicle platform, and were previewed at Frankfurt in pre-production form prior to their European sales launch in late 2010.
Additionally, Ford is confirming that the Grand C-MAX model will also be introduced in North America in late 2011, joining the new Fiesta, the Transit Connect commercial van and the next-generation Ford Focus as one of six European-designed models promised by the company under its One Ford strategy.
The C-MAX range introduces a number of advanced new vehicle and powertrain technologies to the compact MAV class to enhance comfort, safety and sustainability.
In addition to upgraded versions of Ford’s highly acclaimed TDCi diesel engines, the new C-MAX line-up will also feature a choice of petrol engines, including the first application of Ford's all-new 1.6-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine, to be built at the company's Bridgend plant in Wales.
Ford's new global family of EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines have been developed by Ford powertrain engineers based in Europe and are being progressively introduced to the European product range starting in 2010. EcoBoost combines turbocharging and direct injection technology to deliver fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 20 per cent compared to conventional larger displacement petrol engines with a similar power output.
Ford say that their EcoBoost technology will be more affordable than equivalent hybrid or diesel engine designs, and builds on existing petrol engine knowledge to provide customers with a way to improve fuel economy and emissions significantly without compromising driving performance.
The combination of direct fuel injection, advanced turbocharging, and variable valve timing creates a much more efficient combustion process. This enables Ford EcoBoost technology to deliver the strong low-end torque and responsive performance of a large capacity engine, but with the size, weight, and fuel economy of a much smaller unit.
