What they said when the Ford C-Max was new… (Jul 16 2003)
FORD IS being coy about the pricing of its long-awaited entry into the medium sized people mover market, the Focus C-Max.
Not once, as the team behind the Big Blue Oval's flexible five seater revealed their pride and joy to Europe's motoring pundits, would any of them come clean about what it is going to cost.
Perhaps they are rattled by Renault's all-new Scenic, unveiled only a couple of weeks ago with prices set between £12,850 and £18,050.
Ford is a latecomer to this booming sector of the market which Renault created six years ago with the original Scenic.
That was followed with an array of clever designs such as the Vauxhall Zafira and Citroen Picasso, and the popularity of mini-MPVs has grown and grown.
Now being a late arrival normally has plenty of advantages and has enabled Ford to see what works and what doesn't.
C-Max is certainly good, but whether it is better than the new Scenic is a different matter.
On sale at the end of September, the C-Max - the unusual name was given to it as a concept car reflecting its maximum comfort, confidence and control say Ford - will be available with a choice of two diesel engines and a 1.8-litre petrol in three trim levels, LX, Zetec and Ghia.
It looks good inside and out and, as is expected from any Ford, it drives wonderfully well.
Smart features include a sliding rear seat that turns the C-Max into a roomy four seater and a new look instrument panel that is centred around a classy Sony music centre.
C-Max also sees the debut of a redesigned steering wheel and gear lever, which will become the standard across the Ford range, and which have a much nicer feel than the current pieces of equipment.
And being a mini-MPV there are plenty of storage areas and lifestyle facilities throughout the vehicle - 11 of them to be precise - including underfloor bins in the rear and foldaway tables on the back of the front seats.
But there are a few niggles about the C-Max that could spoil Ford's party in this its centenary year.
The backs of the rear seats are very upright and don't really become comfortable until the middle one is folded away allowing the two outer seats to swing in and back creating plenty of room.
Then there is the 1.8-litre petrol engine which does not feel as if it has the legs to give the C-Max adequate get up and go - especially when fully laden.
It is a 116bhp unit from Ford's Duratec range of engines and gives the C-Max a reported top speed of 120mph with a 0 to 60 time of 10.8 seconds. The engine complies with the latest European emission levels which sees it with a CO2 figure of 170 g/km while being capable of averaging almost 40 miles to the gallon.
That may be pleasing from a running costs point of view, but it certainly feels a bit lacklustre on the road.
However that is not the case with the bigger of the two diesel engines, which by contrast is a real gem.
This is a two-litre Duratorq engine developed as part of Ford's arrangement with French motor group PSA Peugeot Citroen, and it makes the C-Max sing.
Developing 136bhp it enables the C-Max to complete the 0 to 60 sprint in 9.6 seconds, top out at a claimed 125mph and still average more than 50 to the gallon. Better still it delivers tax advantages to both private and business users with a CO2 figure of 148g/km.
Superb torque and a six speed gearbox make this an ideal engine for great long distance drives.
The other diesel, which was not available for scrutiny at the launch event, is a 108 bhp 1.6-litre, again brand new and said to be capable of averaging 57.6mpg with claimed performance figures of 11.3 seconds 0 to 60, a top speed of 116mph and that all important CO2 figure down to 129g/km.
When it comes to handling Ford is claiming that the C-Max offers the best balance between a car and a mini-MPV and that is probably right. The suspension set up is smack on and that makes for a fun drive.
Luggage space at around 20 cubic feet is generous and can be increased to 60cu ft with the rear seats folded and tipped forward. With the rear seats slid back about a sixth of the boot space is lost but that still leaves enough room for full sized suitcases to be accommodated.
A capacious centre console, which can hold up to 12 drinks cans, will be available on Zetec and Ghia models, and to make room for it, the handbrake is replaced with an electronic device similar to that used on Jaguars.
Ford is also making use of other technology developed through its ownership of Jaguar in the form of a touch screen control panel which will feature as an extra on the higher specification versions.
But how much those goodies will add to the cost is as much a secret as anything to do with the price, and that is being kept closely guarded until September 1 when the C-Max will go on show at Ford dealerships across the country.
Although the C-Max has plenty of appeal it lacks the flexibility of the new Scenic and can also be beaten on fuel economy with the 1.9-litre diesel Renault averaging 64mpg.
To succeed, this biggest version of the Focus family has got to offer great value for money if it is to dent the Scenic's mantle.
Words: Chris Russon
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