- by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan
Ford's C-MAX will have three engine options
04 March 2003: GENEVA MOTOR SHOW Ford's new compact MPV, based on the critically acclaimed Focus, will be available in Ireland in September.
Previewed last night in Geneva, in advance of the annual motor show, the new Focus C-MAX will be available with a 1.8-litre petrol engine and a choice of 1.6- and 2-litre turbodiesels developed in association with the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group.
Although a direct competitor with the very successful 7-seat Opel Zafira, the new C-MAX will only be available as a 5-seater.
"Decisions had to be made about handling, and it was imperative that the C-MAX would drive just like a car," a spokesman for Ford of Ireland told IrishCar.Com last night. "If we went beyonf that, compromises would have to be made, and since this is clearly a member of the Focus family, we couldn't compromise on that car's renowned handling."
The diesel versions of the new car will have 6-speed transmissions, aimed at both allowing better drivability as well as good fuel consumption.
Ford first revealed its C-MAC concept at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. In addition to the established competition of the Opel Zafira, the new vehicle will have to fight against the new Scenic II, also to be shown at Geneva today, and the new VW Touran, built on the next generation Golf platform.
A taller but extremely stiff body structure gives the car not only interior roominess, but strength and stiffness to take whatever the road has to offer.
ABS is standard equipment on all models, with mechanical brake assist and optional ESP (standard in Germany), combined with large 15-inch wheels with 195/65 section tyres, or 16-inch wheels with 205/55 section tyres. Optional 17-inch wheels with 205/50 section tyres and 18-inch wheels with 225/40 section tyres are available as well.
The new 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi produces a maximum power output of 108 bhp and accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 62mph in 11.7 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 55.4 mpg.
The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine develops 133 bhp and accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 62 mph in a faster 9.6 seconds. It is expected to return 49.6 mpg.
The new Duratec HE 1.8-litre petrol engine develops 118 bhp abd the 0-62mph sprint can be achieved in 11.1 seconds. The car will return 36.7 mpg.
Full-size dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side pelvic thorax airbags are standard on all models, along with optional inflatable side curtains to protect from head injury.
Both front safety belt systems incorporate new, load-limiting retractors that release a small amount of chest webbing progressively under certain loads to help reduce chest injuries. All seats have anti-submarining ramps under the front edges of the cushions.
Retractable brake and clutch pedals supply additional protection to the driver and help reduce the risk of leg injuries in severe front impacts.
A special rear seating system is offered on Trend and Ghia series models - the centre rear seat can slide into the luggage compartment, and the outer two seats can be adjusted not only forward and backward, but also diagonally toward the middle of the compartment. This configuration gives considerably more legroom and shoulder room if just two rear-seat passengers are carried.
Focus C-MAX offers standard lidded compartments in the floor in front of the rear seats, a lidded stowage compartment on top of the instrument panel, an open compartment on the lower instrument panel, stowage slots left of the audio unit in the instrument panel, an open tray under the front passenger seat and a 10.5-litre glove compartment.
A large mid-console for additional stowage space between the front seats will be available shortly after launch. When specifying this console, Focus C-MAX customers can also incorporate an optional cooling facility.
©2003 irishcar.com