- Ford B-MAX, 2013
The new Ford B-MAX, which is about to go on sale across Europe, features a unique design, unrivalled fuel economy and small car technology among the most advanced in Europe.
The B-MAX's Ford Easy Access Door System provides unobstructed entry and exit with hinged front doors and sliding rear doors integrating the central body pillars.
The new model also achieves class-leading fuel economy and the lowest CO2 emissions for both petrol and diesel engines.
The innovative new B-MAX is the first European car to offer SYNC, Ford's voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, with the Emergency Assistance feature. It is also the first vehicle in its segment to provide Active City Stop.
New vision for compact vehicles
Based on Ford's global B-car platform - shared with the highly successful new Fiesta - the B-MAX presents the company's vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV), combining outstanding space and versatility within a smart and stylish exterior.
The unique Ford Easy Access Door System delivers new levels of convenience, access and flexibility. It features conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors, combined in a new body design. This integrates the traditional central pillar structure into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself.
When both front and rear doors are open there is outstanding access to the interior, with a huge, clear aperture more than 1.5 metres wide, making it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.
The flexible seating system features 60/40 split rear seats that can be folded flat with a simple "one-hand, one-motion" mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded, creating an extensive flat load floor from front to rear, suitable for loads up to 2.34 metres in length.
Engineered for outstanding safety
Ford engineers developed innovative solutions to ensure the Ford B-MAX delivers the same outstanding levels of crash protection as vehicles with a more conventional structure.
The structure of both front and rear doors has been strengthened with ultra-high-strength Boron steel in key load-bearing areas so the door frames work together to absorb energy in side impacts.
High-strength and ultra-high-strength steels account for 58 percent of the body and door structure and ensure it is strong and rigid while remaining highly weight-efficient.
Best-in-class fuel economy for petrol and diesel
The Ford B-MAX brings new standards of fuel efficiency to the compact MAV class. The 2012 "International Engine of the Year" 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine is available in 100 PS and 120 PS versions, and the 120 PS model achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 114g/km.
Ford B-MAX is available with 95PS 1.6-litre and 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, each offering outstanding fuel efficiency; the 1.6-litre model delivers best-in-class CO2 emissions of 104g/km.
'Right-sized' for modern motoring
The Ford B-MAX features premium technologies demanded by buyers looking to "right-size" their new car - around 40 percent of B-MAX customers are expected to choose B-MAX after previously owning a larger vehicle while 20 percent are expected to have previously owned a smaller car.
The advanced features include the Ford SYNC voice control, device integration and connectivity interface, with the Emergency Assistance feature that is designed to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in the event of an accident.
High quality, contemporary materials throughout the interior emphasise craftsmanship and detailing, with comfort features including an exclusive eight-speaker Sony DAB audio system, Key Free system, Ford Power Button, Rear View Camera and full leather upholstery.
Ford B-MAX is true to the Ford fun-to-drive brand DNA with class-leading driving dynamics featuring Torque Vectoring Control for superior traction and cornering. The car offers outstanding agility and manoeuvrability designed for the cut and thrust of city driving.
It is also the first vehicle in its segment to deliver Active City Stop, designed to help motorists avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.
Ingenious All-New B-MAX Delivers Ford Vision of More Stylish and Versatile Compact Cars
The all-new Ford B-MAX sets a new benchmark for compact cars with a unique body concept, dynamic design and stylish interior.
The Ford Easy Access Door System provides unobstructed entry and exit with hinged front doors and sliding rear doors integrating the central body pillars.
New vision for compact vehicles
Based on Ford's global B-car platform - shared with the acclaimed new Fiesta - the B-MAX presents the company's vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV), combining outstanding space and versatility with a smart and stylish exterior.
The Ford B-MAX is just over 4 metres in length, only 13cm longer than the Fiesta five-door and a full 30cm shorter than the C-MAX; perfectly placing it to meet the fast-growing demand for downsized cars, suited to congested urban conditions without compromising on interior space or passenger comfort.
Its ground-breaking concept was developed following an intensive innovation project, in which Ford teams spent a considerable time observing drivers in their daily routine - going shopping or picking up their children from school - to understand exactly what customers really wanted in a compact car.
Unique Ford Easy Access Door System
The unique Ford Easy Access Door System features conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors. The traditional central pillar structure is integrated into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself.
When both front and rear doors are open there is unparalleled access to the interior, with an aperture more than 1.5 metres wide. This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts and makes it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.
Ford B-MAX's twin sliding rear doors also make access easier in crowded streets or narrow parking bays. The front and rear doors can be opened completely independently, so the front or rear cabin can be accessed as required.
Flexible and easy-to-use interior
The B-MAX combines the Ford Easy Access Door System with a flexible and easy-to-use seating system. The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded flat with a simple 'one-hand, one-motion' mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat, creating an extensive flat load floor from front to rear, capable of accommodating loads measuring up to 2.34 metres in length.
The generous access makes it particularly convenient to load bulky items such as flat-pack furniture or even a small bicycle through the side doors. An adjustable load floor in the boot creates a flat load space when the rear seats are lowered, with extra room underneath for valuable items that can be hidden from view.
Drivers benefit from a higher 'command' seating position in the B-MAX, with an overall vehicle height 12cm higher than the Fiesta. This also significantly improves rear seat legroom and headroom.
Engineered for outstanding protection
Front and rear doors are reinforced with ultra-high-strength boron steel in key load-bearing areas, with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels accounting for 58 percent of the body and door structure.
In the event of a side impact, the door frames work together to absorb the crash energy. In extreme instances, special crash catchers (which lock the doors together), a reinforced latch mechanism and an integrated central pillar combine to ensure the doors remain firmly attached to the roof and floor structure.
The new Ford B-MAX offers seven state-of-the-art airbags: driver and front-seat passenger airbags, 3D thorax side airbags, curtain airbags that run the entire length of the cabin and a driver's knee airbag. B-MAX also offers deactivation of the front passenger airbag, for those carrying a rear-facing child seat, through a standard switch mounted at the end of the instrument panel.
Ford developed and implemented a unique test procedure to prove out the new B-MAX's body concept. The five-year testing programme included 5,000 virtual collisions and 40 real-world crashes; three years alone were devoted to ensure rear-door safety. This testing process included the construction of a bespoke rig system used to test the reinforced latches.
Compact, sporty and stylish
Ford has applied its kinetic design language to create a compact, sporty and stylish car which adds its own distinctive character to Ford's vehicle line-up.
The vehicle's striking front-end features a bold new interpretation of Ford's signature trapezoidal grille. Other distinctive kinetic design elements include strong headlamp graphics, the muscular shoulder line with its powerful undercut, a characteristic window line with its kick-up behind the rear doors, and prominent wheel lips.
The bold three-dimensional surfacing of the body-sides helps to avoid the tall, blocky look which is common in this class of vehicle, and includes a unique new rocker treatment, with a stylish 'zigzag' form on the rear doors.
