Ford unveils the stylish new C-Max and Grand C-Max, with advanced technologies.

• Stylish new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX offer enhanced family appeal with improved fuel efficiency and CO₂, advanced driver assistance technology  and segment-first convenience features
• Parents carrying shopping, toddlers or luggage can access boot with a kicking motion using segment-first Hands-Free Tailgate; Active Park Assist supports parking in parallel and side-by-side spaces
• Active City Stop automatic braking now operates at speeds of up to 30mph; Adaptive Front Lighting System optimises night-time visibility
• Both vehicles feature bold new face of Ford, an intuitive, beautifully crafted interior, and higher levels of comfort, refinement and ride quality

Ford’s new fuel-efficient, flexible and stylish C-MAX and Grand C-MAX offer active families advanced driver assistance technologies, convenience features, and higher levels of comfort and safety.

The new five-seat C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX Multi-Activity Vehicles (MAV) provide enhanced refinement and ride quality with revised chassis, body and interior designs. 

The C‑MAX family also offers segment-first Hands-Free Tailgate that enables customers to access the boot with a simple kicking motion, and an enhanced version of the Active City Stop system designed to help avoid or mitigate incidents.

“C-MAX has earned a reputation for providing a balance of great fuel economy, responsive, sporty handling and a flexible, roomy interior package,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “The new Ford C-MAX family also delivers levels of refinement often found in larger, more upmarket vehicles, while all powertrains benefit from CO₂ improvements without sacrificing the car’s great driving dynamics.”

Efficient and powerful engines

The new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX combine reduced running costs with significantly improved fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions, while retaining high performance and responsiveness with downsized engines including:

• Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, offered with 120PS, delivers 105g/km CO₂ – a 12 per cent improvement in CO₂compared to the 1.6-litre diesel it replaces, while delivering 5PS more power
• 100PS and 125PS versions of Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the first engine ever to be awarded the International Engine of the Year trophy three years in a row

Auto-Start-Stop technology is offered as standard on the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines for the first time, helping deliver up to 17 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions, with power increased by 7 per cent.

Driving Dynamics

The new Ford C-MAX family delivers class-leading driving dynamics:

• Stiffer suspension bushes help deliver a more controlled and intuitive driving experience, and reduced body roll
• Retuned dampers help enhance the agile steering feel while maintaining ride comfort and feature a new valve design that reduces squeaks and rattles to improve interior refinement
• Electronic Power Assisted Steering tuned to deliver greater steering precision and stability

Sensor technologies

The C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are equipped with advanced Ford technologies and equipment designed to help avoid or mitigate incidents – from scrapes and bumps while parking to potentially more serious, higher speed collisions.

Ford’s Active City Stop collision avoidance system pre-charges the brakes and – if the driver still does not respond – reduces engine torque and automatically applies the brakes to reduce the impact of collisions. The system has been enhanced to operate at speeds of up to 30mph, compared to 19mph with the previous version.

Ford is also introducing the Pre-Collision Assist system to the new C-MAX models. This works in a similar way to Active City Stop but with a much greater vehicle detection 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 the C-MAX family is Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control technology which enables drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, even when that vehicle is travelling slower than the selected 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 from the vehicle ahead. Should the driver get any closer, the system issues a three-stage dashboard display warning – from grey to yellow to red.

Ford’s Active Park Assist system takes the stress out of parking by locating suitably-sized parking spaces and, at the push of a button, steering into the space – while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. Both new models add Perpendicular Parking capability that 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 gives peace of mind to drivers reversing out of parking spaces by warning of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them. Operating with radar at a range of up to 40 metres, the system will issue three 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

Lighting the way

New lighting technologies offered for the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX help drivers see, and be seen, more clearly at night or in poor visibility conditions.

Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting system 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 will also support drivers cornering at higher speeds by directing light further into the bend.

Both models offer Bi-Xenon HID headlamps designed to optimise the driver’s view of the road, while during the day LED Daytime Running Lights increase the visibility of the vehicles for other road users.  

Safety, convenience and comfort

Ford’s new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX interiors offer families more safety, convenience and comfort than ever before, and deliver flexibility for varied and active lifestyles.

Both models offer practical solutions to help keep occupants safely strapped in, including new “i‑Size” child restraint mounting points that are compatible with the latest generation-ISOFIX child seats and offer improved protection for the head and neck during side and front impacts. 

A dashboard alert indicates whether any of the seatbelts are undone. A wide-angle rear view mirror offers a comprehensive view of the rear cabin area, and pets can now be restrained in the boot space with a dog guard.

Parents returning to their vehicle with arms full of shopping, pushchairs or toddlers can easily access the bootspace using Ford’s Hands-Free Tailgate technology. The seven-seat Grand C MAX features Ford’s innovative twin sliding doors and ‘walk-through’ seat design offering easier access, greater convenience and more space.

The redesigned interior for both models offers more than 20 smart stowage spaces for items such as toys, books and snacks:

• The new centre storage console offers more space and features a sliding, integrated armrest for driver comfort
• The new adjustable console accommodates a variety of bottles and cups with the capacity to simultaneously hold a one-litre water bottle and a 0.4-litre cup
• A redesigned glovebox makes items stored inside easier to access
• A deeper upper storage area significantly improves capacity within the dashboard top for belongings, with two USB connection points for integrating and charging mobile devices 

The overall interior design is cleaner and more intuitive, with fewer controls and switches, while the new black satin trim and chrome detailing contribute to a cleaner, more modern look. Functions are simpler to use, such as the air-conditioning controls, which now features buttons that are easier to recognise and distinguish.

Passengers of all ages will find it easier to relax in interiors offering greater comfort and refinement.  Ford engineers have reduced noise, vibration and harshness 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.

Under the bonnet, a specially balanced flywheel helps to reduce shaking forces when accelerating, while new engine mounts deliver smoother operation of the Auto‑Start-Stop system. On the outside, stiffer, noise- and vibration-optimised alloy wheels have been designed to reduce resonant vibrations.

In addition, both vehicles 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.

A light, spacious and airy interior feel is enhanced by an optional panoramic glass roof that uses solar reflective glass to keep the cabin cool and protect occupants from harmful ultra-violet rays, while an electrically operated blind can provide shade where required.

Better connected with SYNC 2

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

Supported by map services provider HERE, SYNC 2’s navigation system offers a split‑screen display with detailed intersections, spoken street names, 3D highway junction and landmark views alongside the MICHELIN guide. The system also enables drivers to issue simpler “one-shot” navigation destinations, and to ask SYNC 2 to “play” a desired artist. Drivers can access a list of local restaurants by saying: “I’m hungry”.

Offered for the first time on C-MAX,Ford’s MyKey technology enables customers with older children to restrict reduce the maximum volume of the audio system when they borrow the family car. MyKey also can disable the audio system altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts, limit the top speed, and prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies such as traction control.

Modern and dynamic styling

Restyled to reflect the One Ford global design language with the distinctive trapezoidal grille, the new C-MAX family has a stronger, sleeker front end. Washer jets are concealed beneath the windscreen, complementing the cleaner look of the restyled bonnet, and 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 range of exterior colours now includes Red Rush and Caribou.

“C-MAX and Grand C-MAX deliver a more relaxing experience with chassis and interior enhancements, and 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.”