New 2010 Ford C-Max and Grand-C-Max

[62Lincoln]

A nice looking vehicle, interesting drivetrain. The 5 has a competitor.

 

[coolmazda5]

With the Frankfurt Motor Show less than a week away, new images have leaked showing Ford's Grand (seven-seat) C-MAX.

Like the five-seat model, that was officially unveiled earlier this month, the Grand C-MAX adopts Ford's 'kinetic' design. While much of styling is identical, the seven-seat C-MAX features an increase in length, a sliding rear door, and a redesigned greenhouse. Ford has also eliminated the sloping roof to allow for improved headroom for third row passengers.

Regardless of the exterior design changes, the cabin appears luxurious and modern. The button-intensive dash is dominated by a massive control knob which operates a small display screen. Other features include contrast stitching, a separate display for climate control functions, and a push button ignition.

Engine options will include the usual petrol and diesel units from Focus and Kuga, as well as Ford's new 1.6-liter EcoBoost.

As we have previously reported, Ford is considering bringing the C-MAX to North America. While nothing is official, Ford is likely watching American's attitudes towards SUV replacements.

 

[coolmazda5]

A nice looking vehicle, interesting drivetrain. The 5 has a competitor.

Yes, as a seven-seater AND with sliders it is I believe. so now they have also a Grand C-Max, so that is why the confusion.

 

[starlightmica]

Looks nice! Per Automotive News, the Grand C-Max will be the North American version, and won't have the "Grand" in front of the name.

C-Max puts Ford back into the minivan business
RICK KRANZ
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 - 5:00 AM ET

Ford Motor Co. is stepping back into a U.S. segment it abandoned back in 2007 -- minivans.

But Ford's plan for success this time involves the small, seven-passenger 2012 C-Max and exterior styling that attempts to hide one noticeable and sometimes unpopular minivan characteristic.

Sliding doors carry a stigma, which is why the minivan has fallen out of favor with some U.S. buyers, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development. Also, gone is any minivan reference, replaced by "multi-activity vehicle." The unveiling took place today at the Frankfurt motor show.

The U.S. version of the Ford C-Max goes on sale in late 2011. It is one of 10 new vehicles that will be developed for North America on the automaker's re-engineered Ford Focus platform.

Ford's use of names is somewhat confusing, though. The five-and seven-passenger C-Max range for Europe was unveiled today in Frankfurt. While the five-passenger model, called C-Max in Europe, will not be sold in North America, the seven-passenger model, called Grand C-Max in Europe, will be sold in North America as the C-Max.

Ford has not said where the U.S. version will be assembled. Insiders say the U.S. model likely will be assembled at Ford's plant in Wayne, Mich.

Styling features

The exterior styling for the seven-passenger model has a trapezoidal lower grille, rising beltline and sculpted side surfaces. The vehicle lacks the flat sides that make some minivans resemble refrigerators on wheels, said Kuzak.

The seven-passenger model has the look of a sleek, aerodynamic wagon. The track for the sliding doors is hidden in the exterior design's character line, a very strong undercut line that rises as it flows to the end of the vehicle. It is really hard to pick up the track for the sliding door.

Kuzak spoke Monday at a Ford preview at the automaker's design center in Dearborn, Mich.

Inside, the C-Max and Grand C-Max are unmistakably minivan. The interior has three-row seating. The seats in the second and third rows fold flat into the floor. A baby stroller can be stored behind the third-row seat.

The model for the U.S. market will offer such up-market features as blind spot detection, a power tailgate and a semi-automatic parallel parking system. The vehicle will be powered by a four-cylinder engine.

Ford's first minivan was the rear-wheel-drive Aerostar, offered from 1985 to 1995. It introduced the front-drive Windstar in 1995 and later re-engineered the vehicle and changed its name to Freestar before abandoning the segment in 2007.


Small cars are real

Kuzak said the opportunities are now in the C segment, the largest segment in the world and in North America. That segment is compromised of vehicles that are similar in size to the Ford Focus and C-Max.

Today, U.S. competitors for the seven-passenger C-Max would include the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo. The Chevrolet Orlando will arrive in 2011.

People are starting to recognize that unlike maybe in the past, with smaller cars, you are not compromising anything in terms of potential technology, features, comfort, convenience, quietness. At the same time you are getting essentially better fuel efficiency, Kuzak said.

Ford said 10 models will be created off the new Focus platform for North America. Besides the U.S. version of the C-Max, they include four- and five-door versions of the Focus, the electric Focus model, the next generation Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, and a Mercury sedan. Three other models are under consideration. The gasoline-powered Focus models will debut in late 2010, while the other models will debut later.

Kuzak said: The trend to small cars is real and sustainable.

 

[coolmazda5]

Looks nice! Per Automotive News, the Grand C-Max will be the North American version, and won't have the "Grand" in front of the name.

And I would hope they don't drop the manual tranny for NA, but chances seem high

 

[62Lincoln]

It will have a 1.6 EcoBoost engine, with 180hp. It will be interesting to see what kind of mileage it can get with this engine - interesting in a good way. I wonder if Ford will offer the dual clutch auto with this engine - I'd be much more interested in that transmission than a manual.

 

[DKaz]

It's weird that VW can offer a DSG auto for only $1300 but almost everyone else is sticking with the torque converter.

x2 on the manual though. I'd buy this car in a heartbeat if it came fully loaded with a manual. Canada may stand a better chance of landing the manual transmission since we can get even a fully loaded Mazda 5 with manual although it's very much a wait and see. 180HP 1.6 Ecoboost + 6 speed manual = complete win.

 

[coolmazda5]

DSG, good technology, production price is coming down, it is much more efficient, yet no 3rd pedal, where is the fun? booh!

6MT FTW!

 

[DKaz]

My wife makes a point that driving a manual is not only more fun, but forces her to pay attention to the road, I feel exactly the same. We're both horrible drivers when we drive automatics. lol.

 

[Speedkid]

Its looks ok.

 

[CometGSR]

Looking good! I like the interior, hopefully they will have more color choices then black.

 

[x10dude]

Is it just me or is this another example how Ford is the only domestic company that seems to just "get it".

You look at the product lines of GM and Chrysler and you can't help think "clueless"

 

[Heat]

I saw the C-Max mentioned again.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...0321-mateja-letters-20100316,0,6246517.column

Q The Ford Transit Connect caught my interest at the auto show, but I'm looking for a seven- or eight-passenger vehicle. The Transit Connect had seating for only five. Will Ford add a third row of seats for 2011?

B.K., Orland Park

A The Transit Connect won't get a third-row seat, Ford spokesman Said Deep said. But the Grand C-Max coming to North America late in 2011 will offer three rows of seats to hold seven and come with sliding side doors like a minivan. The Grand C-Max is based on the compact Focus, is powered by a 4-cylinder engine and looks more like a crossover than a van.

 

[coolmazda5]

25 Cars Worth Waiting For. 2012 Ford C-Max - Feature

What it is: A small minivan that seats up to seven. Think current Mazda 5 but more interesting-looking.

Why it matters: At the moment, Ford doesnt have any three-row offerings priced below $30,000.

Platform: Its underpinned by the next-gen Ford Focus architecture.

Powertrain: The C-Max will be offered with the same 155-hp, 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder that will power the Focus; a higher-output (180 horses), 1.6-liter turbo four may make the cut as well. A dual-clutch transmission will do the shifting chores.

Competition: Kia Rondo, Mazda5.

What might go wrong: Ford is betting it will increase the sales in this segment because of its marketing clout and range of dealers, but it could turn out to be a smaller niche than the company imagined. Plus, because the C-Max is being built in Europe, the exchange rate might hurt profit margins.

Estimated arrival and price: Late 2011 as a 2012 model. Expect a base price of about $20,000, rising to more than $25,000 with options.

[CarAndDriver]

 

[coolmazda5]

Confirmed: Ford to build seven-seat C-Max in Spain for export to U.S.

When Ford announced its new seven-seat Grand C-Max last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it also revealed that the new model would be coming to North America for the first time. In conjunction with the announcement today that Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain would produce hybrid versions of the five-seat C-Max, Ford also announced that the same plant would be exporting the seven-seater to America late next year.

The larger C-Max is based off of Ford's new c-segment platform shared with the Focus and is similar in size to the Mazda5. This marks Ford's return to the sliding door van market that was abandoned when the Freestar was discontinued in 2006. Ford hasn't said what powerplant will go into the C-Max for export, but we would bet on the same 2.0-liter direct injected four that will power the new Focus with an optional 2.0-liter Ecoboost. Now that General Motors has decided not to sell the Chevrolet Orlando in the U.S., Ford and Mazda are currently the only entrants in this small minivan segment, with vehicles like the conventionally doored Kia Rondo lurking on the fridges.

[Autoblog]

 

[thaxman]

Very stylish. I think it looks better without the sliding doors. They might just make something decent.

Without the sliding doors, its just a modern Mitsubishi Expo

FAIL!

 

[coolmazda5]

2012 ford grand c-max. Disappearing middle seat

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[coolmazda5]

I think the mid passage has been used by my kids once or twice, for adults it's tough, but Would the NHTSA pass it? Looks like the Karakuri, no bolts at all...

 

[DKaz]

The Highlander and Sienna have removable middle 2nd row seats of the same design.

 

[coolmazda5]

The Highlander and Sienna have removable middle 2nd row seats of the same design.

Here is the 2009 Sienna, see that the middle seat is actually latched at the bottom, that can mean a big difference for the NHTSA dudes