Ford launches refreshed C-Max and Grand C-Max, better looking that the new S-Max.

• Stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX deliver significant improvements in fuel efficiency and CO₂emissions; advanced technology; and smart new stowage ideas
• New C-MAX family inherits sleek exterior design with bold new face of Ford and an intuitive, beautifully crafted interior
• Hands-Free Tailgate and Perpendicular Parking available; improved Active City Stop collision avoidance now works at speeds of up to 31mph
• Powertrain line-up for the UK includes a 1.5-litre TDCi engine offered for first time on C-MAX

Ford Motor Company today unveiled the stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX with a new sleek exterior design, beautifully crafted interior with improved stowage ideas, and major fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions improvements.

The five-seat C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX will also offer superior comfort and refinement when they go on sale across Europe in early 2015. The models will introduce advanced technology including Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system.

“Ford C-MAX has earned a reputation for providing a balance of great fuel economy, responsive, sporty handling and a flexible, roomy interior package,” said Stephen Odell, Ford executive vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “All powertrains benefit from CO₂ improvements without sacrificing any of the car’s great driving dynamics.”

“The new Ford C-MAX family also delivers levels of refinement often found in larger, more upmarket vehicles – including the segment-first Hands-Free Tailgate that only requires a gentle kicking motion to gain access to the boot space.”

Ford first introduced the C-MAX in 2003 and since then has sold more than 1.2 million in Europe.** Now in its third generation, C-MAX has accounted for more than 12 per cent of all MAVs sold in Europe so far this year.***

Flexible, comfortable, sporty and stylish

The five-seat C-MAX or the seven-seat Grand C‑MAX, which features Ford’s innovative twin sliding doors and “walk-through” seat design for greater convenience, space and flexibility, remain available.

The Ford C-MAX family has been restyled to reflect the One Ford global design language and is available in new exterior colours Red Rush and a stylish brown-grey shade called Caribou. The dynamic styling delivers a stronger, sleeker front end, featuring Ford’s distinctive inverted trapezoidal grille. The washer jets have been hidden underneath the windscreen to complement the cleaner look of the restyled bonnet. 

Sleeker, more chiselled front headlamps and more rectangular, elongated fog-lamps add to the bolder front end. The tailgate has been given a smoother and more sophisticated one-piece appearance using the latest laser-brazing technique, which applies cleaner and exceptionally strong welds to thin sheets of metal. A compact tail lamp design completes the contemporary look.

The new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX interiors follow the customer-led design refinements that have already been executed on new Focus. The more intuitive layout has fewer controls and switches, while the new black satin trim and chrome detailing contributes to a cleaner, modern look. Functions are simpler to use, such as the air-conditioning controls that now feature buttons that are easier to recognise and distinguish from each other.

A redesigned centre storage console offers increased space and features a sliding, integrated armrest. The new adjustable console accommodates a variety of bottles and cups with the capacity to hold a one-litre water bottle and a 0.4-litre cup simultaneously, while the swing bin glovebox makes items stored inside easier to access. A deeper upper storage area significantly improves the capacity on top of the dashboard for family belongings, and features a new USB connection point for integrating and charging mobile devices.  

In addition, C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will be offered with higher quality trims across the entire range, a heated steering wheel, door-sill scuff plates and load-net fitting points behind both the first and second row seats.

Noise, vibration and harshness have been improved through the use of thicker side glass and more absorbent seals around the tailgate and rear view mirror. The engine bay heat shield has been filled with acoustic damping material to reduce powertrain noise, and diesel cars are equipped with extra acoustic seals to further reduce noise intrusion.

Continuing under the bonnet, a retuned dual mass flywheel helps to reduce shaking forces when the engine is under load, while new engine mounts offer improved refinement during Auto‑Start-Stop operation. On the outside, stiffer, noise- and vibration-optimised alloy wheels have been designed to reduce resonant vibrations.

“We are committed to delivering clean, and intuitive interiors across the entire Ford line-up and C-MAX is the latest vehicle to benefit from our comprehensive restyling programme,” said Joel Piaskowski, director, Design, Ford of Europe. “The new C-MAX has received its most significant remodelling to date and is now more comfortable, more practical, and delivers the best driving experience in its segment.”

Sensing danger

The new Ford C-MAX family is equipped with advanced Ford technologies that help drivers avoid or mitigate incidents – from scrapes and bumps while parking to more serious, higher speed collisions.

Ford’s Active Park Assist system locates suitably-sized parking spaces and, at the push of a button, steers the vehicle in to the space while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. C‑MAX and Grand C-MAX add Perpendicular Parking capability with the addition of two new ultrasonic sensors at the rear of the car. The system helps drivers reverse into spaces side-by-side with other cars.

The extra sensors also enable two additional technologies that help drivers as they manoeuvre out of parking spaces:

• Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Operating with radar at a range of up to 40 metres (131 feet), the system will issue three distinct warning signals if it detects a vehicle approaching from either side
• Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake

Ford has also improved its Active City Stop collision avoidance system, which uses sensors at the front of the vehicle to look for stationary objects in the road ahead and pre-charges the brakes if the vehicle is approaching an object too quickly. If the driver still does not respond the system reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of collisions. New C-MAX offers the latest system that now operates at speeds of up 31mph, up from 19mph.

In the case of moving objects Active Braking works in a similar way to Active City Stop but with a vehicle speed range of between 5mph and 112mph. It supports drivers at higher speeds, for example on the motorway, by issuing warnings and applying braking as required.

Also new to C-MAX, Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control technology enables drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, even when that vehicle is travelling more slowly than the cruise speed. For occasions when Adaptive Cruise Control is not active, Distance Indication enables drivers to set a preferred distance they would like to maintain with the vehicle ahead. Should the driver get any closer, the system issues a three-stage dashboard display warning – from grey to yellow to red.

Better connected with SYNC 2

The new Ford C-MAX family is equipped with Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system that features a high-resolution, 8-inch colour touch screen and advanced voice control for hands-free operation of audio, navigation, climate control and connected mobile phone functions.

SYNC 2’s navigation system is supported by map services provider HERE, and offers a split-screen display with detailed intersections, spoken street names, 3D highway junctions, landmark views and the MICHELIN guide.

SYNC 2 enables drivers to issue simpler “one-shot” navigation destinations, and to ask the system to “play” a desired artist. Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will provide a list of local restaurants, which you can then get directions to via the navigation system.

“We have developed SYNC 2 so it is simple and intuitive for drivers to use, and it seamlessly

switches between touch screen and voice commands,” said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Drivers will be able to control more in-car systems than ever before, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

The new Ford C-MAX will also be offered with a premium sound system that incorporates 10 Sony speakers, including a subwoofer (bass speaker) to deliver a more rounded and deeper sound.

Powerful and efficient

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX offer significantly improved CO₂ figures and for the first time feature as standard Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop technology on EcoBoost petrol and 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines. The most improved model is expected to offer a 20 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The new C-MAX family powertrain line-up will be offered with Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, delivering 120PS. The C-MAX family will continue to be offered with 100PS and 125PS versions of the multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.

During the first seven months of 2014, more than a quarter of C-MAX models sold in Europe** were equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which in 2014 was named International Engine of the Year for an unprecedented third consecutive year.

The new 120PS 1.5-litre diesel engine is expected to offer up to a six per cent improvement in CO₂ compared to the 1.6-litre diesel it replaces, while delivering 5PS more power. The revised 2.0-litre diesel is expected to improve emissions by up to 20 per cent and power by over four per cent.

“These powertrains will also help make C-MAX the first car in its segment to comply with the latest EU Stage VI emissions regulations across the entire range from launch,” Jim Baumbick, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director.

Brighter future

The new Ford C-MAX family is offered with LED Daytime Running Lights, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps and Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System that adjusts the headlight beam angle to one of seven settings depending on traffic and road conditions. For example; when cornering at lower speeds, the system will project a beam towards the side of the road to make cyclists and pedestrians more visible. The system also will support drivers cornering at higher speeds by directing light further into the bend.

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will for the first time offer Ford’s MyKey technology, which enables owners to programme a key – usually for younger drivers – that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable the audio system altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts. The system can also prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies such as Traction Control.

“C-MAX and Grand C-MAX deliver a more relaxing experience with chassis and interior enhancements and, with sophisticated driver assistance technologies,” Baumbick said. “The ability to see more clearly in challenging conditions, to detect potential accidents and to keep less experienced drivers safe provide additional assurance and reduce stress for drivers whether at the wheel or not.”