Stylish Multi-Activity Ford C-MAX

First Application of Ford’s 4-Cyl. EcoBoost

Ford is showing a new small seven-passenger multi-activity vehicle at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.? An affordable alternative for a growing family, the new C-MAX offers flexible seating, spacious interior, sporty performance and best-in-class fuel economy.

This new compact multi-activity vehicle introduces a host of unique features including an industry-exclusive hands-free power-operated rear liftgate, versatile 5+2 seating configuration with five seats in the main cabin and two smaller seats in the third row, twin sliding doors and active park assist that automatically steers the vehicle into parallel parking spaces.

C-MAX will be the first application of Ford?s all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost? I-4 engine in its North American C-class vehicles.? The all-aluminum EcoBoost engine has high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) which combined, produce up to 20 percent better fuel economy than naturally aspirated, larger-displacement gasoline engines with a similar power output. ?The C-MAX base engine is a 2.5-liter iVCT four-cylinder. Both engines are mated to a Ford automatic six-speed transmission.

At 178 inches long the C-MAX is close to the same size as the original minivans from the 1980s or a current Honda C-V.

The second-row seats also have slide and recline functionality, adapting to multiple combinations of passenger seat positions and cargo capacity. Outboard second-row seats also have a tip-and-slide forward function for easy access to the third-row seats when the second row is used.

The third-row seats can be omitted as a delete option, for those buyers electing to forgo the 5+2 seating arrangement.

?This all-new model is set to take multi-activity vehicle performance to a new level, giving drivers a class-leading combination of responsive, sporty handling, and overall refinement and quietness similar to the standard found in larger luxury vehicles,? said John Davis, chief engineer for the North American C-MAX.

Like many of the new Ford products, the C-MAX includes an extensive menu of new technologies including:

  • An industry first hands-free rear liftgate activated by passing a leg motion under the rear bumper when the driver?s key fob is in his or her pocket
  • Active park assist: Helps select an appropriate parking space, calculates the trajectory and steers to properly position the vehicle. All the driver need do is operate the accelerator and brake pedals
  • Speed limiter: Prevents a driver from exceeding a preset speed
  • Panoramic roof: Allows for an expansive roof opening

The new C-MAX is part of Ford Motor Company?s global small vehicle strategy that will deliver at least 10 vehicles ? and 2 million vehicles annually ? from a single C-vehicle platform by 2012.

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