Focus Zooms In

It is certainly an interesting addition to the Ford stable: it is its first mid-range multi-activity vehicle, providing another choice between the compact, Ford Fusion and the seven-seat Galaxy. With these models, plus a couple of multi-seat executive buses, Ford says it will be providing an unparalleled range of roomy vehicles.

Focus C-MAX designers rejected giving the car seven seats, instead preferring to ensure there was plenty of interior comfort. They have come up with a flexible rear cabin, which can either take three people, or, when the middle of the three rear seats is slid backwards into the luggage compartment, offer much more comfort for two.

The remaining seats can be adjusted to offer more "outer" elbow room. This is by no means a new idea, but it shows that the C-MAX is right up with its main rivals.

While the new car is larger and taller than the other cars in the Focus range, it is more compact, sleek and stylish. There is plenty of headroom all round, even allowing for the quite high-set driving position, and Ford obviously hopes that a fair amount of the Focus hatchback's dynamic ability will transfer over to its larger and bulkier new relation.

Ford has chosen the C-MAX to introduce a number of technical features to its overall range.

There is new powertrain technology, including two new high-pressure common-rail clean and economical turbodiesels engines and Ford's new six-speed manual transmission.

Another introduction is the electronic parking brake, Ford's first in a European-built car, which will be available in the Trend and Ghia versions. As with some other systems of this kind, it doesn't matter much if the driver forgets about it. The brake is applied automatically once the engine is switched off, and released automatically when the car moves off from a standing start. A similar system is already up and running in Renault models.

Electro-hydraulic power steering is another unusual feature for a Ford, and so is the console-mounted gear lever. With neither a gear lever nor a handbrake cluttering up the floor space between the front seats, the C-MAX is well adapted, of course, to allowing somebody to slip from the front cabin to the rear, or the other way round, without getting out of the car.

Designers have used the freed-up space to create a new centre console, featuring an integral armrest when closed, for better front seat comfort, plus integrated cup holders and a large storage bin under the armrest with space for 12 drink cans, or a mix of bottles and cans. There are also two rear storage bins within the console, one with a power point fitted mainly for the optional rear-seat entertainment unit.

There are a total of 11 storage areas, including trays and pockets, dotted around in the vain hope that the car will remain clutter free: these include two under-floor compartments big enough for shoes or laptop, another on top of the instrument panel, a large glovebox, and other storage points for tickets, first aid kit, and even sunglasses.

The C-MAX is also fitted with a dual zone electronic automatic temperature control which means that passenger comfort is is maintained whatever the weather outside.

Bearing in mind that this is a heavier car than the other Focus models, Ford has uprated the brakes. Some versions are fitted with the same size of vented front discs as the Mondeo ST220.

Like some other Fords of the same general type, the C-MAX will come with various options of sound, information, entertainment and navigation systems. Some of these are Ford-branded, others supplied by Sony.

At launch, later this year, there will be a choice of two TDCi turbo diesel engines and one petrol. The 108bhp 1.6-litre and 134bhp two-litre engines are from the Ford/PSA range.

With the 1.6-litre engine under the bonnet and 176lb/ft of torque at its disposal from as low as 1750rpm, the C-MAX should get from 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds and go on to a top speed of 116mph. Fuel economy is expected to be 68.9mpg extra urban and 57.6mpg combined, with the very low CO2 figure of 129g/km.

Fitted as standard with the latest Ford/Getrag six-speed manual transmission as used in the Mondeo, the two-litre TDCi has a hefty 235lb/ft of torque at 2000rpm. That ought to mean 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds, a maximum of 125mph, 62.7mpg extra urban, 50.4mpg combined, and a CO2 rating of 148g/km.

Owners who do not fancy a diesel will have the 118bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine as their only option. Torque with this unit is much more modest 124lb/ft at 4500rpm. In this specification the C-MAX will do the 0-62mph sprint in about 10.8 seconds, and the top speed should be just short of 120mph. Economy returns are 50.4mpg extra urban and 39.7mpg combined, and the CO2 figure rises to 170g/m.

Curiously enough, the diesel engines won't have a particulate filter system from launch, but one will be available later this year.

There are plenty of safety features, anti-lock braking and so on, while passemnger protection includes airbags for driver and front passenger, together with thorax airbags and side curtains.

Prices and detailed specification lists will be released later. Ford says that the name of the new Focus C-MAX is intended to convey that it will offer Maximum Comfort, Maximum Confidence and Maximum Control. Well, we will see.

Updated: 12:02 Friday, July 04, 2003