COLOGNE, Germany — Although the Ford C-Max and Grand C-Max looked production-ready when they debuted in Frankfurt, Ford is calling them concepts and will lift the covers off the final production versions at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. Both vehicles go on sale later this year in Europe, and the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max will come to the U.S. in late 2011.
Also in Geneva, the automaker is adding new powertrains to the European-market Kuga and Mondeo.
Ford refers to the five-passenger C-Max and seven-passenger Grand C-Max as multi-activity vehicles — longhand for minivans. In fact, the longer Grand C-Max features twin sliding doors, much like its American counterparts, as well as a taller roof line and boxier profile.
Geneva showgoers will be the first to get a glimpse of the new interior in the redesigned C-Max. Among the highlights: a pair of five-way toggle switches on the steering wheel that will enable the driver to control two primary vehicle displays, one in the center console and one in the instrument cluster.
The C-Max and Grand C-Max will be available with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder gas engine and 1.6- and 2.0-liter Duratorq four-cylinder TDI engines.
The updated Kuga crossover will offer a new 161-horsepower version of the 2.0 Duratorq turbodiesel, while the Mondeo range will come with a range of EcoBoost and Duratorq engines.
Inside Line says: It'll be a long wait, but the Grand C-Max should finally give Ford a desirable offering in the minivan segment. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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veryhrm says:
11:37 PM, 04/30/2010
ooh.... i've been meaning to upgrade from my Focus.
Here's to hoping that they'll support options like manual transmissions, AWD and diesel engines... at least a decently powerful ecoboost one..
Not holding my breath though.... more likely is a 10 second 0-60 slushbox special...
mikedrud says:
09:04 AM, 02/23/2010
Yeah, they remind me a lot of the Focus or even larger versions of cars like the Fit or (new) Fiesta. I like 'em, because Honda and Toyota have dominated this smaller segment of the market and this could be a good time for Ford to make in-roads.
digaday says:
01:44 AM, 02/20/2010
This Ford Europe family styling I think works well for the Focus, not so much here. Looks a little frumpy to me. But that they're coming to US says we'll have even more choices in the small, economical people-mover department. Orlando, Mazda 5/7....remember the late 80's Mitsubishi Colt wagon with rear sliders? Before its time. Can the Meriva be far behind now?
atenza94546 says:
04:58 PM, 02/19/2010
The C-Max and hte Grand C-Max lokks nice. Just hope Ford wouldn't change it too much to make it looks ugly.
gened1 says:
02:46 PM, 02/19/2010
If the C Max comes here with the 1.6 ecoboost does that mean that the motor will have twin turbochargers? I still can't figure out why these small people movers can't have a four banger comparable to the 2011 Hyundai Sonata I 4 DI power. The Kia Rondo is the only one that has the 6 (of the Mazda5, Rondo and CMax) but it too still isn't that powerful. Hopefully the Chevy Orlando will be a solution as I can see that there is a market for these niche vehicles.
juan_mx says:
12:37 PM, 02/19/2010
The C-Max and Grand C-Max are based on the Focus.
I believe not even the Grand competes in the minivan category (american size) .
If it comes to NA it will be a competitor to the Mazda 5.
I think they share the same platform.