It is no secret that as you read this, Ford Motor Corp have a new factory being built on the Eastern Seaboard. Most FoMoCo people are fairly tight-lipped about it, but there is consensus that this new factory will produce the new Focus. So if it can produce the Focus, will it also produce the Focus derivatives, such as the Ford C-Max MPV? The answer has to be yes.
The C-Max, a compact seven-passenger people mover based on the Focus was designed in Europe, and made its North American debut in early January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
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C-Max is about the same length as a 2012 Focus sedan, with standard seating for five, plus a third row with two smaller seats.
FoMoCo has not confirmed what engines will power the Grand C-Max in America. However, at the Frankfurt show it had the 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine and that engine is in the European C-Max cars.
EcoBoost is the name given by Ford for the fuel-saving technology, and the company’s “One Ford” strategy is all about offering the same products in Europe and North America. With that in mind, it is most likely that the U.S. market will get the C-Max with the 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
The EcoBoost engine is a direct-injection turbocharged four cylinder unit featuring independent variable timing for the exhaust and intake camshafts. Power output is expected to be about 180 hp with torque around 170 lb ft. Ford says this engine will offer performance similar to a 2.5 liter naturally aspirated four cylinder, but with better fuel economy.
The standard engine in the C-Max will still probably be a normally aspirated 2.5 liter four cylinder engine. Both engines will come with a standard six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Two new options on the C-Max include active park assist, which automatically steers the vehicle into a parallel parking space, and a hands-free power rear hatch opening from the key fob remaining in your pocket.
