- Focus-based, Euro-design Ford people mover heads to the U.S.
- C-Max offers flexible seating for seven in a compact package.
- New family-friendly feature: Hands-free liftgate.
DETROIT — Ford Motor Company's C-Max, a compact seven-passenger people mover based on the Focus and designed in Europe, will make its North American debut in early January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
At 178 inches long, the C-Max is about the same length as a 2012 Focus sedan, with standard seating for five, plus a third row with two smaller seats.
The C-Max will be the first vehicle in North America to offer Ford's 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline unit that provides the output of much larger conventional engines, with significantly better fuel economy.
The standard engine in the C-Max will be a normally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines will come with a standard six-speed automatic transmission.
Two intriguing new options on the C-Max include active park assist, which automatically steers the vehicle into a parallel parking space, and a hands-free power liftgate, which is activated by running your leg under the rear bumper while your key fob remains in your pocket.
Inside Line says: No word yet on pricing, but expect the compact C-Max to retail for nearly as much as a conventional minivan. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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veryhrm says:
01:38 AM, 02/24/2011
@marcos9 right on! AWD+manual would be great (and i'm glad i'm not the only one writing that for once )
veryhrm says:
01:37 AM, 02/24/2011
@marcos9 right on! AWD+manual would be great (and i'm glad i'm not the only one writing that for once )
veryhrm says:
01:37 AM, 02/24/2011
@marcos9 right on! AWD+manual would be great (and i'm glad i'm not the only one writing that for once )
bman78 says:
01:53 PM, 01/11/2011
@marcos9
more like a mazda5 competitor. The Rondo has been discontinued from the Kia line up.
I like this car. I would not consider it a van due to the fact you can not fit a family of 5 with a stroller in the trunk.
marcos9 says:
12:52 PM, 01/10/2011
Nice - a great Kia Rondo competitor. I hope there's an AWD+manual transmission option w/ the EcoBoost engine.
nwng says:
07:57 AM, 01/07/2011
if gas stays above $3, ford could move these with little problem.
easym1 says:
06:34 PM, 12/20/2010
Good looking car..it probably will attract a lot of buyer...much better design than any minivans out there.
tbone85 says:
02:26 PM, 12/20/2010
"Stating facts or forecasting a pricing strategy is not slant."
Stating facts is not a slant. Forecasting a pricing strategy certainly is slant until the accuracy of the forecast is proven. Doesn't make it good or bad, but it does make it speculation.
phoenixc says:
01:13 PM, 12/20/2010
Overall it looks alright, I don't like the rear glass:metal ratio - it's a bit wonky in the details. Still, it might prove to be a good two-kid family kinda car, with more power than the Mazda 5.
ford_flexer says:
11:56 AM, 12/20/2010
This is really good for those soccer moms watch out asian automakers