Ford is slowly bringing its highly successful European lineup to the United States. The latest Euro-Ford to make the ocean crossing is a small minivan, similar to the successful Mazda5. The U.S. will get a seven-passenger version of the car, currently sold as a five-passenger vehicle overseas, where it is known as the C-Max. We expect it to be re-named for the U.S. market.
The Detroit News reports, "The seven-passenger car, built on the same platform as the next-generation compact Ford Focus, will include sliding second row doors, a removable middle seat in the second row -- it folds up and stows under another seat -- and a stylish exterior design."
Business Week notes, "Ford has been out of the minivan business since discontinuing the Freestar minivan. But many families, especially those with just one or two kids, like the sliding door for getting kids in and out of carseats in cramped parking lots." As in the Mazda5, "There isn't much room [in the C-Max] behind the third seat when it is in use, based on the photos made available. But Ford says there is enough for a few pieces of luggage, a stroller and the like."
The News reports the car is powered by "the smallest member of Ford's EcoBoost lineup: a 1.6-liter direct injection turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine" making 180 horsepower. The U.S. may also see a larger engine, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, which puts out 240 hp. Like the Focus, the U.S.-bound C-Max will be offered with a five-speed manual transmission or an automatic.
But, as with any family hauler, it's the interior that matters most. Jalopnik reports, "Inside the Grand C-Max comes out with both barrels blazing. High-quality leathers are available with nice French seams, a highly-stylized dash with a glossy black Sony sound system, Bluetooth, navigation, two information centers, dual zone climate control, and seating for seven." The third row of seating "looks best suited to small children and grocery bags, but should you have a need for the last row, the Grand C-Max has a pretty neat trick to get you back there. The second row can fold forward like a normal minivan, but in this you have the option of a center bench or captains chairs without making any sacrifices." The center-rear seat folds underneath the right rear seat.
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