2003-02-19
Autoindex.org
Ford of Europe issued the following press release:
Ford is expanding its acclaimed Focus line-up with the introduction of a mid-sized people carrier, the Ford Focus C-MAX, which makes its debut at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.
Why ‘C-MAX’?
Ford first revealed its intent for a spacious and more versatile Focus with a concept at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. This vehicle, dubbed ‘Focus C-MAX Concept’ signalled Ford’s thinking on this fast-growing segment. It combined space, versatility and comfort with the sleek styling and safe, stable driving experience of Europe’s favourite car. The result was a concept for a modern family vehicle with contemporary style, appealing technology and features that would help to extend an active lifestyle.
“The reaction to the Paris concept car convinced us that the C-MAX name summed up very neatly what this car is all about”, said Joerg Pfisterer, Ford of Europe’s Brand Manager for Medium Cars. ‘MAX’ is symbolic of what we aim to deliver in each case:
Maximum Comfort: well-shaped seats with good side support, ample legroom, and great ergonomics.
Maximum Confidence: dynamic and contemporary style, strong Ford identity, intelligent versatility, long list of interior features, Intelligent Protection System.
Maximum Control: predictable and stable, superior handling, steering and braking, good visibility”.
Extending the range
Focus C-MAX extends the Focus range, building on its acknowledged strengths. It is a sleek, stylish and spacious new vehicle that combines roominess, interior flexibility and comfort with the class-leading driving dynamics and latest-generation powertrain line-up that have come to exemplify the Ford Focus.
A taller but extremely stiff body structure gives the car not only the interior roominess that customers have come to expect in this segment, but strength and stiffness to take whatever the road has to offer – a clear Focus hallmark.
The Focus C-MAX will be launched later in 2003 with two all-new common-rail turbo-diesel engines, a new 6-speed transmission, and a new Duratec HE petrol engine.
Stylish and aerodynamic
Focus C-MAX is the most aerodynamic car in its segment. With a drag coefficient of only 0.29, it is shaped for optimal fuel economy and reduced wind noise for enhanced refinement inside the cabin. Aerodynamic exterior mirrors and non-protruding wheel arches contribute to its sleek shape.
Its dynamic silhouette is dominated by a character line that divides the side and top surfaces of the car, and gives the roofline and back windows a distinctively sporty and sleek look, without sacrificing spaciousness anywhere in the vehicle. The side-window is recessed into the body side panel to give the vehicle a solid and strong appearance.
The Focus C-MAX has one of the most rigid body shells in its segment with a 10 per cent improvement for torsional stiffness compared to the class-leading Focus. This forms the foundation for Focus C-MAX’s dynamic attributes and confident road behaviour.
Trademark Focus chassis engineering is the key, including the Control Blade independent rear suspension it pioneered. The Control Blade system, part of a meticulous approach to the engineering of the vehicle chassis, helped to give Focus its high levels of lateral stiffness (for handling precision) and longitudinal compliance (for ride comfort).
With standard four-wheel disc brakes, the new Focus C-MAX has class-leading deceleration capability. It features large-diameter brake discs to provide robust stopping power and to enhance brake pad service life.
ABS is standard equipment on all models, with mechanical brake assist and optional ESP (standard in Germany), combined with large 15-inch wheels with 195/65 section tyres, or 16-inch wheels with 205/55 section tyres. Optional 17-inch wheels with 205/50 section tyres and 18-inch wheels with 225/40 section tyres are available as well.
Equipped for safety
The Focus C-MAX reflects Ford’s commitment to customer safety with a protective body structure and an array of passive safety features.
Full-size dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side pelvic thorax airbags are standard on all models, along with optional inflatable side curtains to protect from head injury.
Both front safety belt systems incorporate new, load-limiting retractors that release a small amount of chest webbing progressively under certain loads to help reduce chest injuries. All seats have anti-submarining ramps under the front edges of the cushions to help the safety belts secure occupants in their seats during a front impact.
Retractable brake and clutch pedals supply additional protection to the driver and help reduce the risk of leg injuries in severe front impacts.
Comfort and flexibility
Comfort, flexibility and roominess characterise the Focus C-MAX interior. It has class-leading front headroom and is among the leaders for rear knee and legroom.
Focus C-MAX offers generous interior stowage capability, including standard lidded compartments in the floor in front of the rear seats, a lidded stowage compartment on top of the instrument panel, an open compartment on the lower instrument panel, stowage slots left of the audio unit in the instrument panel, an open tray under the front passenger seat and a 10.5-litre glove compartment.
A large mid-console for additional stowage space between the front seats will be available shortly after launch. When specifying this console, Focus C-MAX customers can also incorporate an optional cooling facility.
Advanced features
The new Focus C-MAX offers state-of-the-art navigation and entertainment features and advanced anti-theft equipment.
Committed to making the Focus C-MAX fun for all of its occupants, Ford will offer two Sony™ audio systems intended to provide true audiophile sound quality.
Pioneering powertrains
Focus C-MAX will be launched with two new common-rail diesel engines developed and designed in cooperation with PSA Peugeot-Citroen.
The all-new 1.6-litre 110 PS Duratorq TDCi is a lightweight all-aluminium engine with an ultra high-pressure second-generation common-rail injection system, variable-nozzle turbocharger (VNT) and electronic drive-by-wire controls.
The new 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi produces a maximum power output of 110 PS (108 bhp/81 kW) at 4,000 rpm and robust low-end torque, realising maximum torque of 240 Nm (176 lb-ft) at only 1,750 rpm. The engine accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.7 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres (55.4 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre.
The all-new premium 2.0-litre, 135 PS Duratorq TDCi also makes its debut with Focus C-MAX plus an all-new six-speed manual transmission, MMT6. The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine develops 135 PS (133 bhp/99 kW) at 4,000 rpm with a peak torque of 320 Nm (235 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm, making it very powerful and agile. It accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 9.6 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres (49.6 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 152 grams per kilometre.
The new Duratec HE 1.8-litre petrol engine develops 120 PS (118 bhp/88 kW) at 6,000 rpm with a peak torque of 169 Nm (124 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm. It accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.1 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres (36.7 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 185 grams per kilometre.
Coming soon
This is just the start of the Ford Focus C-MAX story. Further technical details and specifications will be released closer to launch in the second half of 2003.
Autoindex.org
Ford of Europe issued the following press release:
Ford is expanding its acclaimed Focus line-up with the introduction of a mid-sized people carrier, the Ford Focus C-MAX, which makes its debut at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.
Why ‘C-MAX’?
Ford first revealed its intent for a spacious and more versatile Focus with a concept at the 2002 Paris Motor Show. This vehicle, dubbed ‘Focus C-MAX Concept’ signalled Ford’s thinking on this fast-growing segment. It combined space, versatility and comfort with the sleek styling and safe, stable driving experience of Europe’s favourite car. The result was a concept for a modern family vehicle with contemporary style, appealing technology and features that would help to extend an active lifestyle.
“The reaction to the Paris concept car convinced us that the C-MAX name summed up very neatly what this car is all about”, said Joerg Pfisterer, Ford of Europe’s Brand Manager for Medium Cars. ‘MAX’ is symbolic of what we aim to deliver in each case:
Maximum Comfort: well-shaped seats with good side support, ample legroom, and great ergonomics.
Maximum Confidence: dynamic and contemporary style, strong Ford identity, intelligent versatility, long list of interior features, Intelligent Protection System.
Maximum Control: predictable and stable, superior handling, steering and braking, good visibility”.
Extending the range
Focus C-MAX extends the Focus range, building on its acknowledged strengths. It is a sleek, stylish and spacious new vehicle that combines roominess, interior flexibility and comfort with the class-leading driving dynamics and latest-generation powertrain line-up that have come to exemplify the Ford Focus.
A taller but extremely stiff body structure gives the car not only the interior roominess that customers have come to expect in this segment, but strength and stiffness to take whatever the road has to offer – a clear Focus hallmark.
The Focus C-MAX will be launched later in 2003 with two all-new common-rail turbo-diesel engines, a new 6-speed transmission, and a new Duratec HE petrol engine.
Stylish and aerodynamic
Focus C-MAX is the most aerodynamic car in its segment. With a drag coefficient of only 0.29, it is shaped for optimal fuel economy and reduced wind noise for enhanced refinement inside the cabin. Aerodynamic exterior mirrors and non-protruding wheel arches contribute to its sleek shape.
Its dynamic silhouette is dominated by a character line that divides the side and top surfaces of the car, and gives the roofline and back windows a distinctively sporty and sleek look, without sacrificing spaciousness anywhere in the vehicle. The side-window is recessed into the body side panel to give the vehicle a solid and strong appearance.
The Focus C-MAX has one of the most rigid body shells in its segment with a 10 per cent improvement for torsional stiffness compared to the class-leading Focus. This forms the foundation for Focus C-MAX’s dynamic attributes and confident road behaviour.
Trademark Focus chassis engineering is the key, including the Control Blade independent rear suspension it pioneered. The Control Blade system, part of a meticulous approach to the engineering of the vehicle chassis, helped to give Focus its high levels of lateral stiffness (for handling precision) and longitudinal compliance (for ride comfort).
With standard four-wheel disc brakes, the new Focus C-MAX has class-leading deceleration capability. It features large-diameter brake discs to provide robust stopping power and to enhance brake pad service life.
ABS is standard equipment on all models, with mechanical brake assist and optional ESP (standard in Germany), combined with large 15-inch wheels with 195/65 section tyres, or 16-inch wheels with 205/55 section tyres. Optional 17-inch wheels with 205/50 section tyres and 18-inch wheels with 225/40 section tyres are available as well.
Equipped for safety
The Focus C-MAX reflects Ford’s commitment to customer safety with a protective body structure and an array of passive safety features.
Full-size dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, seat-mounted side pelvic thorax airbags are standard on all models, along with optional inflatable side curtains to protect from head injury.
Both front safety belt systems incorporate new, load-limiting retractors that release a small amount of chest webbing progressively under certain loads to help reduce chest injuries. All seats have anti-submarining ramps under the front edges of the cushions to help the safety belts secure occupants in their seats during a front impact.
Retractable brake and clutch pedals supply additional protection to the driver and help reduce the risk of leg injuries in severe front impacts.
Comfort and flexibility
Comfort, flexibility and roominess characterise the Focus C-MAX interior. It has class-leading front headroom and is among the leaders for rear knee and legroom.
Focus C-MAX offers generous interior stowage capability, including standard lidded compartments in the floor in front of the rear seats, a lidded stowage compartment on top of the instrument panel, an open compartment on the lower instrument panel, stowage slots left of the audio unit in the instrument panel, an open tray under the front passenger seat and a 10.5-litre glove compartment.
A large mid-console for additional stowage space between the front seats will be available shortly after launch. When specifying this console, Focus C-MAX customers can also incorporate an optional cooling facility.
Advanced features
The new Focus C-MAX offers state-of-the-art navigation and entertainment features and advanced anti-theft equipment.
Committed to making the Focus C-MAX fun for all of its occupants, Ford will offer two Sony™ audio systems intended to provide true audiophile sound quality.
Pioneering powertrains
Focus C-MAX will be launched with two new common-rail diesel engines developed and designed in cooperation with PSA Peugeot-Citroen.
The all-new 1.6-litre 110 PS Duratorq TDCi is a lightweight all-aluminium engine with an ultra high-pressure second-generation common-rail injection system, variable-nozzle turbocharger (VNT) and electronic drive-by-wire controls.
The new 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi produces a maximum power output of 110 PS (108 bhp/81 kW) at 4,000 rpm and robust low-end torque, realising maximum torque of 240 Nm (176 lb-ft) at only 1,750 rpm. The engine accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.7 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres (55.4 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 135 grams per kilometre.
The all-new premium 2.0-litre, 135 PS Duratorq TDCi also makes its debut with Focus C-MAX plus an all-new six-speed manual transmission, MMT6. The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine develops 135 PS (133 bhp/99 kW) at 4,000 rpm with a peak torque of 320 Nm (235 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm, making it very powerful and agile. It accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 9.6 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres (49.6 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 152 grams per kilometre.
The new Duratec HE 1.8-litre petrol engine develops 120 PS (118 bhp/88 kW) at 6,000 rpm with a peak torque of 169 Nm (124 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm. It accelerates the Focus C-MAX to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.1 seconds and has a targeted combined fuel economy of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres (36.7 mpg) and targeted CO2 emissions of 185 grams per kilometre.
Coming soon
This is just the start of the Ford Focus C-MAX story. Further technical details and specifications will be released closer to launch in the second half of 2003.