Ford B-MAX, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

•  Ford B-MAX, 2013

The new Ford B-MAX, which is about to go on sale across Europe, features a unique design, unrivalled fuel economy and small car technology among the most advanced in Europe.

The B-MAX's Ford Easy Access Door System provides unobstructed entry and exit with hinged front doors and sliding rear doors integrating the central body pillars.

The new model also achieves class-leading fuel economy and the lowest CO2 emissions for both petrol and diesel engines.

The innovative new B-MAX is the first European car to offer SYNC, Ford's voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, with the Emergency Assistance feature. It is also the first vehicle in its segment to provide Active City Stop.

New vision for compact vehicles
Based on Ford's global B-car platform - shared with the highly successful new Fiesta - the B-MAX presents the company's vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV), combining outstanding space and versatility within a smart and stylish exterior.

The unique Ford Easy Access Door System delivers new levels of convenience, access and flexibility. It features conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors, combined in a new body design. This integrates the traditional central pillar structure into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself.

When both front and rear doors are open there is outstanding access to the interior, with a huge, clear aperture more than 1.5 metres wide, making it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.

The flexible seating system features 60/40 split rear seats that can be folded flat with a simple "one-hand, one-motion" mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded, creating an extensive flat load floor from front to rear, suitable for loads up to 2.34 metres in length.

Engineered for outstanding safety
Ford engineers developed innovative solutions to ensure the Ford B-MAX delivers the same outstanding levels of crash protection as vehicles with a more conventional structure.

The structure of both front and rear doors has been strengthened with ultra-high-strength Boron steel in key load-bearing areas so the door frames work together to absorb energy in side impacts.

High-strength and ultra-high-strength steels account for 58 percent of the body and door structure and ensure it is strong and rigid while remaining highly weight-efficient.

Best-in-class fuel economy for petrol and diesel
The Ford B-MAX brings new standards of fuel efficiency to the compact MAV class. The 2012 "International Engine of the Year" 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine is available in 100 PS and 120 PS versions, and the 120 PS model achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 114g/km.

Ford B-MAX is available with 95PS 1.6-litre and 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, each offering outstanding fuel efficiency; the 1.6-litre model delivers best-in-class CO2 emissions of 104g/km.

'Right-sized' for modern motoring
The Ford B-MAX features premium technologies demanded by buyers looking to "right-size" their new car - around 40 percent of B-MAX customers are expected to choose B-MAX after previously owning a larger vehicle while 20 percent are expected to have previously owned a smaller car.

The advanced features include the Ford SYNC voice control, device integration and connectivity interface, with the Emergency Assistance feature that is designed to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in the event of an accident.

High quality, contemporary materials throughout the interior emphasise craftsmanship and detailing, with comfort features including an exclusive eight-speaker Sony DAB audio system, Key Free system, Ford Power Button, Rear View Camera and full leather upholstery.

Ford B-MAX is true to the Ford fun-to-drive brand DNA with class-leading driving dynamics featuring Torque Vectoring Control for superior traction and cornering. The car offers outstanding agility and manoeuvrability designed for the cut and thrust of city driving.

It is also the first vehicle in its segment to deliver Active City Stop, designed to help motorists avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.

Ingenious All-New B-MAX Delivers Ford Vision of More Stylish and Versatile Compact Cars

The all-new Ford B-MAX sets a new benchmark for compact cars with a unique body concept, dynamic design and stylish interior.

The Ford Easy Access Door System provides unobstructed entry and exit with hinged front doors and sliding rear doors integrating the central body pillars.

"The B-MAX really challenges traditional small car thinking, and pioneers a concept not attempted by any other manufacturers," said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. "Its ingenious design opens the doors - quite literally - to exciting new ideas of what's possible with a compact vehicle."

New vision for compact vehicles
Based on Ford's global B-car platform - shared with the acclaimed new Fiesta - the B-MAX presents the company's vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV), combining outstanding space and versatility with a smart and stylish exterior.

The Ford B-MAX is just over 4 metres in length, only 13cm longer than the Fiesta five-door and a full 30cm shorter than the C-MAX; perfectly placing it to meet the fast-growing demand for downsized cars, suited to congested urban conditions without compromising on interior space or passenger comfort.

Its ground-breaking concept was developed following an intensive innovation project, in which Ford teams spent a considerable time observing drivers in their daily routine - going shopping or picking up their children from school - to understand exactly what customers really wanted in a compact car.

Unique Ford Easy Access Door System
The unique Ford Easy Access Door System features conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors. The traditional central pillar structure is integrated into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself.

When both front and rear doors are open there is unparalleled access to the interior, with an aperture more than 1.5 metres wide. This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts and makes it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.

Ford B-MAX's twin sliding rear doors also make access easier in crowded streets or narrow parking bays. The front and rear doors can be opened completely independently, so the front or rear cabin can be accessed as required.

Flexible and easy-to-use interior
The B-MAX combines the Ford Easy Access Door System with a flexible and easy-to-use seating system. The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded flat with a simple 'one-hand, one-motion' mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat, creating an extensive flat load floor from front to rear, capable of accommodating loads measuring up to 2.34 metres in length.

The generous access makes it particularly convenient to load bulky items such as flat-pack furniture or even a small bicycle through the side doors. An adjustable load floor in the boot creates a flat load space when the rear seats are lowered, with extra room underneath for valuable items that can be hidden from view.

Drivers benefit from a higher 'command' seating position in the B-MAX, with an overall vehicle height 12cm higher than the Fiesta. This also significantly improves rear seat legroom and headroom.

Engineered for outstanding protection
Front and rear doors are reinforced with ultra-high-strength boron steel in key load-bearing areas, with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels accounting for 58 percent of the body and door structure.

In the event of a side impact, the door frames work together to absorb the crash energy. In extreme instances, special crash catchers (which lock the doors together), a reinforced latch mechanism and an integrated central pillar combine to ensure the doors remain firmly attached to the roof and floor structure.

The new Ford B-MAX offers seven state-of-the-art airbags: driver and front-seat passenger airbags, 3D thorax side airbags, curtain airbags that run the entire length of the cabin and a driver's knee airbag. B-MAX also offers deactivation of the front passenger airbag, for those carrying a rear-facing child seat, through a standard switch mounted at the end of the instrument panel.

Ford developed and implemented a unique test procedure to prove out the new B-MAX's body concept. The five-year testing programme included 5,000 virtual collisions and 40 real-world crashes; three years alone were devoted to ensure rear-door safety. This testing process included the construction of a bespoke rig system used to test the reinforced latches.

Compact, sporty and stylish
Ford has applied its kinetic design language to create a compact, sporty and stylish car which adds its own distinctive character to Ford's vehicle line-up.

The vehicle's striking front-end features a bold new interpretation of Ford's signature trapezoidal grille. Other distinctive kinetic design elements include strong headlamp graphics, the muscular shoulder line with its powerful undercut, a characteristic window line with its kick-up behind the rear doors, and prominent wheel lips.

The bold three-dimensional surfacing of the body-sides helps to avoid the tall, blocky look which is common in this class of vehicle, and includes a unique new rocker treatment, with a stylish 'zigzag' form on the rear doors.

Spacious premium interior
The car's spacious interior features the same kinetic design approach, and the bold graphics and sculpted surfaces develop the themes found in Ford's latest small and medium cars. Distinctive features include the slim, wing-like section of the upper instrument panel which reaches out to the door panels, and the prominent centre console, which flows down between the front seats.

High quality, contemporary materials emphasise craftsmanship and detailing. The choice of premium materials extends to full leather upholstery with premium embossed leather, while an optional full-size panoramic glass roof enhances the sensation of space.

All-New Ford B-MAX - Packed with Ingenious Technology for Smart and Economical City Driving

The ingenious new Ford B-MAX, which goes on sale in European markets this summer, offers customers some of the most advanced small car technology and delivers a more connected, economical and enjoyable driving experience.

B-MAX is the first European car to offer SYNC, Ford's voice-activated, in-car connectivity system featuring award-winning Emergency Assistance, designed to assist occupants to place a call to the emergency services in the event of a crash.

Ford's low-CO2 ECOnetic Technology delivers class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions for both petrol and diesel engines.

Ford B-MAX features class-leading driving dynamics and is the first vehicle in its segment to offer Active City Stop, a system designed to help motorists avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.

Ford's global small car vehicle line director Joerg Beyer said: "The B-MAX is packed full of ingenious features, from the powerful SYNC voice control system to the innovative 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine to the advanced Active City Stop system. These technologies have helped us deliver a compact car which is smarter and more connected, cheaper to run, and above all, more fun to drive."

Ford SYNC technology with Emergency Assistance
One of the most technologically advanced small cars; the new B-MAX is the first European Ford to offer the company's acclaimed SYNC system.

SYNC is an advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface. It enables users to connect mobile phones and music players by Bluetooth or USB, make hands-free telephone calls, and control music and other functions using voice commands.

It can automatically transfer contact information from a connected Bluetooth device to the vehicle, allows calls to be activated using straight-forward voice commands and reads text messages aloud from compatible phones connected using Bluetooth.

The system, already featured on more than 4 million vehicles in North America, is expected to feature on more than 3.5 million new vehicles in Europe by 2015. SYNC also enables B-MAX to offer the innovative new Emergency Assistance feature which is designed to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in the event of an accident.

Emergency Assistance won the "Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive, Transport or Utilities" category at the 2012 Global Mobile Awards, Barcelona.

The system is capable of communicating with emergency services in more than 30 countries and is provided to customers free of charge for the life of their vehicle. Through the GPS locator in the vehicle, Emergency Assistance communicates with the emergency services operator in the correct language to call for help if needed.

ECOnetic Technologies help deliver best-in-class fuel economy
The Ford B-MAX brings new standards of fuel efficiency to the compact multi-activity vehicle class with Ford's latest petrol and diesel powertrains equipped with low-CO2 ECOnetic Technology.

The petrol engine line-up is led by the three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine, available in 100PS and 120PS versions. Equipped with the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system as standard, the 120PS EcoBoost engine achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 114g/km and fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km (57.6mpg).

Other petrol engine options include the 90PS 1.4-litre Duratec unit, and the 105PS 1.6-litre Duratec engine which is paired with Ford's high-efficiency PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission with advanced dual clutch technology.

B-MAX is available with a choice of two Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, both offering outstanding performance and fuel efficiency. The 95PS 1.6-litre engine delivers best-in-class CO2 emissions of 104g/km and fuel consumption of 4.0l/100km (70.6mpg). The 75PS 1.5-litre diesel, closely derived from the 1.6-litre engine, appears for the first time in Ford's European product range. It achieves CO2 emissions of 109g/km and fuel consumption of 4.1l/100km (68.9mpg).

ECOnetic Technology is fitted as standard to all B-MAX vehicles and includes Electric Power Assisted Steering, which requires less energy than hydraulic power assisted steering systems; Gear Shift Indicator to highlight the most efficient gear changing points; and the Ford Eco Mode driver information system which helps drivers adopt a more economical driving style. Smart Regenerative Charging, which charges the battery at the most economical point in a journey, is also featured on the 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 1.5/1.6-litre Duratorq engines.

Advanced chassis technologies for more fun to drive
The new B-MAX's chassis has been meticulously tuned by the company's vehicle dynamics specialists to deliver the same fun-to-drive experience as sister model the Ford Fiesta.

In developing the Ford B-MAX, particular focus was placed on achieving the kind of agility and manoeuvrability that is especially valuable in the cut and thrust of city driving.

Key chassis technologies include standard Torque Vectoring Control - as fitted to the latest Ford Focus - for superior traction and agility. The B-MAX also features electric power assisted steering system, which features speed-dependent tuning for light steering at parking speeds together with a precise and confident feel at higher speeds.

The B-MAX is the first vehicle in its segment to provide the added reassurance of the Active City Stop system, designed to help drivers avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.

First launched by Ford on Focus last year, Active City Stop monitors traffic ahead and applies the brakes if it detects that a collision with a vehicle in front is imminent. In tests, the system is proven to prevent collisions at speeds up to 15km/h, and reduce the severity of impacts at speeds as high as 30km/h. The system was awarded a Euro NCAP Advanced reward in 2011.

Premium technologies in a compact package
The B-MAX also features technical features frequently requested by buyers looking to 'right-size' their new car. Around 40 percent of Ford B-MAX customers are expected to choose B-MAX after previously owning a larger vehicle. These include an exclusive eight-speaker Sony audio system, Hill Launch Assist, Key Free system, Ford Power Button, Rear View Camera and Quickclear Heated Windscreen.

All-New Ford B-MAX Delivers Class-Leading Fuel Economy
The all-new Ford B-MAX will deliver reduced fuel bills for drivers in the compact multi-activity vehicle segment thanks to class-leading fuel economy from both petrol and diesel powertrains.

The B-MAX is equipped with the new 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine recently named the 2012 "International Engine of the Year" and is also available with the 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel which delivers best-in-class CO2 emissions of 104 g/km.

Ford's global small car vehicle line director Nick Collins said: "B-MAX will prove a real winner at the pumps, with the thriftiest engines in its class. And petrol buyers are in for a real treat, with the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost delivering a fun-filled drive along with remarkable fuel efficiency."

Class-leading petrol and diesel engine range
The Ford B-MAX brings new standards of fuel efficiency to the compact multi-activity vehicle class with Ford's latest petrol and diesel powertrains equipped with low-CO2 ECOnetic Technology.

The 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine is available in 100 PS and 120 PS versions and uses the latest engine technologies to deliver the power of a larger capacity engine with the fuel efficiency of a much smaller unit.

Equipped with the Ford Auto-Start-Stop system as standard, the 120 PS EcoBoost engine achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 114 g/km and fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100 km (57.6 mpg) - 15 percent lower than the closest petrol competitor.

Other petrol engine options include the 90 PS 1.4-litre Duratec, and the 105 PS 1.6-litre Duratec engine which is paired with Ford's high-efficiency PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission with advanced dual clutch technology.

B-MAX is available with a choice of two Duratorq TDCi diesel engines. The 95 PS 1.6-litre engine delivers best-in-class CO2 emissions of 104 g/km and fuel consumption of 4.0 l/100 km (70.6 mpg).

The 75 PS 1.5-litre diesel, closely derived from the 1.6-litre engine, appears for the first time in Ford's European product range. It achieves CO2 emissions of 109 g/km and fuel consumption of 4.1l /100 km (68.9 mpg).

Low CO2 features minimise fuel consumption
Ford engineers have minimised fuel consumption on the B-MAX with an optimised design which features the latest low-CO2 ECOnetic Technologys:
    Electric Power Assisted Steering, which requires less energy than hydraulic power assisted steering systems
    Gear Shift Indicator to highlight the most efficient gear changing points
    Ford Eco Mode driver information system which helps drivers adopt a more economical driving style
    Smart Regenerative Charging, which charges the battery at the most economical point in a journey (on 1.0-litre EcoBoost and 1.5/1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engines)

Fuel efficiency on the B-MAX is also enhanced by a sleek, streamlined shape, which has been extensively optimised using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and wind tunnel testing, to achieve a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.324.

Engineers have also reduced consumption by minimising weight throughout the vehicle design, notably in the body and door structure which features 58 percent high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels to ensure it is strong and rigid while remaining highly weight-efficient.

New Ford B-MAX High-Strength-Steels, Ingenious Design and Technology Combine to Help Protect Occupants

The all-new Ford B-MAX is engineered to deliver outstanding protection in accident situations through the use of more than 50 percent high-strength-steels in the bodyshell and doors, and innovations delivered by the Ford Easy Access Door System.

The B-MAX is also the first vehicle in its segment to offer Active City Stop, designed to help motorists avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.

Engineered for outstanding protection
From the innovative door and body structure to the advanced restraints system, the B-MAX has been engineered to deliver outstanding occupant protection.

Front and rear doors are reinforced with ultra-high-strength boron steel in key load-bearing areas, with high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels accounting for 58 percent of the body and door structure.

In the event of a side impact, the door frames work together to absorb crash energy. In extreme instances, special crash catchers (which lock the doors together), a reinforced latch mechanism and an integrated central pillar combine to ensure the doors remain firmly attached to the roof and floor structure.

The new Ford B-MAX offers seven state-of-the-art airbags: driver and front-seat passenger airbags, 3D Thorax side airbags, curtain airbags that run the entire length of the cabin and a driver's knee airbag. B-MAX is the first Ford to enable deactivation of the front passenger airbag, for those carrying a rear-facing child seat, through a standard switch mounted at the end of the instrument panel.

Ford developed and implemented a unique test procedure to prove out the new B-MAX's body concept. The five-year testing programme included 5,000 virtual collisions and 40 real-world crashes as well as the construction of a bespoke rig system used to test the reinforced latches.

Suite of active safety technologies
B-MAX will be offered with a suite of active safety technologies designed to help drivers maintain vehicle control and avoid accident situations.

The B-MAX is the first vehicle in its segment to provide the added reassurance of the Active City Stop system, designed to help motorists avoid low speed collisions with stationary or slower moving traffic in front.

First launched on Focus in 2011, Active City Stop monitors traffic ahead and applies the brakes if it detects a collision with a vehicle in front is imminent. In tests the system is proven to prevent collisions at speeds up to 15km/h, and reduce the severity of impacts at speeds as high as 30km/h. The system was awarded an Advanced reward by Euro NCAP in 2011.

As with all Fords, B-MAX features Electronic Stability Programme - a braking and stability system that helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle under extreme conditions.

New Ford B-MAX Ingenious Door Design and SYNC Deliver a Connected Compact Car with Unrivalled Access

The all-new Ford B-MAX offers customers a smarter and more versatile compact car, with a breakthrough door concept which provides unrivalled access and some of the most advanced small car technologies.

Smart technologies offered by the B-MAX include SYNC, Ford's voice-activated, in-car connectivity system with award-winning Emergency Assistance, plus a host of premium comfort features.

Ground-breaking vehicle concept
The B-MAX presents Ford's vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle, combining outstanding space and versatility within a smart and stylish exterior.

The Ford Easy Access Door System was developed following an innovation project in which engineers "went undercover" to observe drivers in their daily routine - going shopping or picking up their children from school - to understand exactly what customers wanted in a compact car.

The solution they came up with combines conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors, in a new body design. This integrates the traditional central pillar structure into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself, and creates a huge, clear opening -- more than 1.5 metres wide.

This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts and makes it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.

B-MAX's twin sliding rear doors also make access easier in crowded streets or narrow parking bays. The front and rear doors can be opened completely independently, so the front or rear cabin can be accessed as required.

Ford SYNC technology with Emergency Assistance
The new B-MAX is the first European Ford to offer the company's acclaimed SYNC system.

SYNC is an advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface. It enables users to connect mobile phones and music players by Bluetooth or USB, make hands-free telephone calls, and control music and other functions using voice commands.

It can automatically transfer contact information from a connected Bluetooth device to the vehicle, allows calls to contacts to be activated using straight-forward voice commands and reads text messages aloud from compatible phones connected using Bluetooth.

SYNC also enables Ford B-MAX to offer the innovative new Emergency Assistance feature which is designed to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in the event of an accident. Emergency Assistance won the "Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive, Transport or Utilities" category at the 2012 Global Mobile Awards, Barcelona.

Flexible and easy-to-use interior
A flexible and easy-to-use seating system features 60/40 split rear seats which can be folded flat with a simple 'one-hand, one-motion' mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded, creating an extensive flat load floor capable of swallowing loads up to 2.34 metres long.

The generous access makes it particularly convenient to load bulky items such as flat-pack furniture or even a bicycle through the side doors. An adjustable load floor in the boot creates a flat load space when the rear seats are lowered, with extra room underneath for valuable items.

With an overall vehicle height which is 12 cm higher than the Fiesta, B-MAX offers drivers the benefits of a higher "command" seating position, and provides significantly improved rear seat legroom and headroom.

Premium technologies in a compact package
The B-MAX features a host of premium technologies demanded by buyers looking to "right-size" their new car - around 40 percent of B-MAX customers are expected to choose B-MAX after previously owning a larger vehicle while 20 percent are expected to have previously owned a smaller car.

Comfort and convenience features include an exclusive eight-speaker Sony audio system, all-new electronic automatic climate control system, Key Free system, Ford Power Button, Rear View Camera, Quickclear heated windscreen and Easy Fuel system.

Is Ford B-MAX the New Black? Fashion, Furniture, Gadgets Inspire New Ford Small Car's Colours

With an eye on the quick-drying properties that black paint offered the original Model T, Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford famously wrote that customers can choose any colour "so long as it is black."

Ninety years has brought a lot of change to the auto industry - maybe none more than Ford's approach to colour choice. The colours of the new B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle were inspired by the world of fashion, furniture and high-end gadgets.

B-MAX colours including Burnished Glow, Tectonic Silver and Nautical Blue embody the current trend towards subtle luxury, the feeling embodied by fashions from Gucci.

The high series B-MAX Titanium models also feature a sophisticated pin-stripe cloth inspired by classic Savile Row tailoring, and modern interpretations by designers like Paul Smith.

All-New Ford B-MAX Delivers Dynamic Design and Superior Driving Quality

The all-new Ford B-MAX sets a new benchmark for stylish, compact and city-friendly cars.

The dynamic new model raises the bar with Ford's fun-to-drive brand DNA, premium levels of comfort and refinement and a high-quality interior.

Compact, sporty and stylish
Ford B-MAX is a compact, sporty and stylish car which adds its own distinctive character to the company's multi-activity vehicle (MAV) line-up.

The vehicle's striking front-end features a bold new interpretation of Ford's signature trapezoidal grille. Other distinctive design elements include strong headlamp graphics, muscular shoulder line with powerful undercut, the window line with its characteristic kick-up behind the rear doors, and prominent wheel lips.

The bold three-dimensional surfacing of the body-sides includes a unique new rocker treatment, with a stylish 'zigzag' form on the rear doors.

Spacious interior with premium craftsmanship
The car's spacious interior features the same kinetic design approach, and the bold graphics and sculpted surfaces develop the themes found in Ford's latest small and medium cars.

Distinctive features include the slim, wing-like section of the upper instrument panel which reaches out to the door panels, and the prominent centre console, which flows down between the front seats.

High quality, contemporary materials emphasise detailed craftsmanship and finish, with a particular focus on achieving world-class fits with minimal gaps between components.

The B-MAX instrument panel is a one-piece moulding with a luxurious soft-touch finish, while the choice of premium trim materials extends to full leather upholstery with premium embossed leather; an optional full-size panoramic glass roof enhances the sensation of space and comfort within the cabin.

The advanced chassis technology
The new B-MAX shares Ford's global B-car platform with the new Fiesta, and its chassis - with front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam - has been meticulously tuned by the company's vehicle dynamics specialists to deliver the same fun-to-drive experience as its sister model.

Particular focus was placed on achieving the kind of agility and manoeuvrability which will prove especially valuable in the cut and thrust of city driving.

Key chassis technologies include the electric power assisted steering system, which features speed-dependent tuning for light steering at parking speeds together with a precise and confident feel at higher speeds. The B-MAX also features standard Torque Vectoring Control - as fitted to the latest Ford Focus - for superior traction and agility.

Ford's engineers also optimised the B-MAX design to achieve premium standards of refinement and comfort. The strong, stiff bodyshell, combined with stiffer chassis components, optimised suspension bushes, and detailed attention to sealing and noise absorption throughout the vehicle, has resulted in significantly reduced noise levels.