The stylish and versatile all-new Ford C-MAX range

It’s not all glitz and glamor at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year and rather sensibly many manufacturers are focusing on practicality and economy as well as style and finesse. Ford is traditionally a safe bet when it comes to family-oriented motors and has introduced a new two-model C-MAX compact MAV (Multi-activity vehicle) range, which made its global debut at the show.

The smaller model is a five-seater with a sportier, coupe-like feel and complements the seven-seater Grand C-MAX which features twin-sliding doors and an extended wheelbase.

“Following the tremendous popularity of the S-MAX and Galaxy duo, we plan to extend that opportunity to compact MAV customers with our new expanded C-MAX line-up,” said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “The spacious seven-seat Grand C-MAX is a brand new entry for us, and combined with the sporty, five-seat model allows us to deliver a class-leading choice of two dynamic and highly-capable family vehicles. The significance of the new C-MAX models cannot be overstated as they signal the impending arrival of up to two million vehicles a year in a variety of bodystyles, all based on our new global C-segment platform,"

Both will be available as diesel or a choice of petrol engines including Ford’s new 1.6 liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost, which combines a turbocharger and direct injection to deliver 20 percent savings on consumption and CO2 emission compared to conventional, similar power output petrol engines.

A range of features on the inside are designed to improve practicality and safety for family users, including semi-automatic parallel parking, blind spot detection, power activated child locks and powered operation for the rear tailgate.

Ford expects to produce up to two million vehicles per year worldwide based on this new platform, and promises more exciting designs packed with the very latest features and developments. The C-MAX is currently in pre-production prior to its European sales launch in late 2010, and will also be introduced in North America in late 2011, with prices yet to be confirmed.