Ford is returning to the U.S. minivan market with the all-new Focus based and European developed, C-MAX, which will get its debut at the increasingly interesting North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January.
Even though Ford chose to use the C-MAX moniker for the N.A. model, the new compact family vehicle is in fact the alter-ego of the European market Grand C-MAX. The main differences between the EU-spec C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models is that the latter gets a longer wheelbase, sliding rear doors and seating for seven instead of five.
The Detroit-based automaker describes the C-MAX as a 5+2 seater, noting that it can deliver room for up to seven passengers or five occupants with a generous amount of cargo. The second row of seats is equipped with a mechanism that allows the middle seat position to fold quickly under the right-hand seat, creating a walk-through space between the two outer seats so passengers can easily access the third row, as well as two individual, bucket-like seats.
Those not interested in the 5+2 seating arrangement can omit the third row seats as a delete option.
Engine choices for North American buyers will include a base 2.5-liter four-pot and the all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, both mated to Ford’s 6F35 automatic six-speed transmission.
Oddly enough, Ford has not said when it plans to sell the C-MAX in the States.
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14 Comments:
nice to see a trend towards mini-vans, what with the onslaught of original minivans approaching behemoth proportions.
Ford is changing their strategy. They are going from Euro- and Us-Market cars to "global" cars. The next Ford Kuga ie.(coming 2012) is going to replace the US Ford Explorer.
I don´t like the proportions of this car, something looks weird on it, specially at the rear end.
TS
OMG, 100% functionality, 0% design
European/German Fords are still the best!!! I would never buy a real American car, except Corvette or Mustang.
Better than the new Mazda5, but not the old 5. This looks like a bloated Fiesta, and that's bad. I don't care for their sad face grill.
@Torben - The Kuga is not replacing the Explorer, it is replacing the Escape, the small car based SUV/Crossover. Ford has showed a new Explorer that is much larger than the Kuga, but is Unibody instead of body on frame like the current Explorer. I think it is about time the Kuga came to the US. So much better looking than the boring box Escape.
I am really liking Ford's product Globalization strategy. Having individual vehicles for the different contents is stupid and much more costly, even with the changes that are needed to make Euro market vehicles US spec legal.
@CaliDesigner
Sorry, I meant the Escape, not the Explorer!
This vehicle would sell well in Europe but not USA as Americans will go for larger minivans or SUV's for not much more money. They need to bring over the European 5 seater c-max it makes much more sense and looks better. It would be a roomy and functional automobile. Also, the Focus wagon would be nice here.
Why is the family in the main pic laughing and smiling?
The husband says to wife- 'Glad this is not our car.'
This seems like a similar size to the Kia Rondo which was a flop and is being discontinued. Ford needs a bigger van for the US. It might be a hit on rental lots though.
it''s look like Proton Exora....hhhmmmmm...different only at rear maybe
well for a minivan it's VERY nice. about time if you ask me. too bad about the reg C-Max. ...and no V6 option? hope that 2.5 is the bomb then... tough i'm glad to see 4-cyl power as a choice in the market again.
bloated fiesta or not, it's leaps and bounds ahead of the Windstar, hello??? and possibly anything else in the market now. the interior is great!
and i'm so tired of this is not for americans comment. you know what else supposedly does well in europe and not in the US?: hatches, wagons, convertibles, smaller cars... Yet the Fit sells well, the Miata was a hit, and so on.
as far as the Kuga, we'll be getting the new one which kind of misses the point a bit. it's too TOO bad we didnt get teh current one with a gasoline engine and an auto tranny.
--JORGE
I think it looks good & is very practical. Way to go, Ford.
Looks like a fabulous fit for my family. I don't want a huge gas guzzler but do need room for the occasional addition of grandparents etc in the car. I'm holding off on buying a minivan until the C-Max is available.
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