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All-new Ford C-MAX range focuses on value

IF you thought the old Ford C-MAX a little dowdy, especially compared to the rest of the Ford range, then look again.

The new Ford C-MAX is as dramatic in appearance as the Ford Fiesta. What’s more, there’s a choice of models for the first time

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30 November 1999

IF you thought the old Ford C-MAX a little dowdy, especially compared to the rest of the Ford range, then look again.

The new Ford C-MAX is as dramatic in appearance as the Ford Fiesta. What’s more, there’s a choice of models for the first time – a C-MAX and a Grand C-MAX, the latter if you want the option of seven seats for additional flexibility.

Prices start from £16,745 for the C-MAX Zetec and £18,745 for the C-MAX Grand Zetec.

That makes the C-MAX more expensive than the five-seater Vauxhall Meriva entry level model at £12,995, but cheaper than the Citroen C4 Picasso (£17,305). However, the Ford C-MAX Grand undercuts the seven-seater C4 Picasso Grand’s price of £18,505.

To make your choice easier, there are only two models in the C-MAX range – Zetec or Titanium.

Ford believes the extra versatility of the additional two seats – for just a £250 premium over the outgoing model – makes the C-MAX Grand a compelling proposition. Access to the seats is via twin sliding side doors – so no squeezing in or out of the car in tight car park spaces.

The key engine in the Grand Zetec range will be the 115PS 1.6-litre TDCi. Priced at £19,745, the new car is £750 less than the outgoing equivalent.

CO2 emissions for the 1.6 TDCi engine are 119g/km (C-MAX) and 129g/km (Grand C-Max), so the car qualifies in the 13% company car tax band or 18% company car tax band respectively.

Ford says the five-seat C-MAX will appeal to drivers wanting more space than a regular family hatchback, but who do not wish to sacrifice sporty design or driving dynamics.

Mark Simpson, marketing director of Ford, commented: “When C-MAX was launched in 2003 it preserved all the brand’s most important qualities including style, comfort and driving quality, but added more flexibility and space to the Focus package.”

Mr Simpson added: “Since then the market has expanded quite considerably with customers expressing a variety of needs. These are met with the family-friendly seven-seater and the sporty-but-spacious five-seater. The new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are priced to offer best value for money whilst still introducing many exciting new technologies which will feature on the all-new Focus due next year.”

Standard equipment on all models includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather steering wheel, Thatcham category one alarm, DAB radio/CD and Bluetooth with USB connectivity and voice control. Grand C-MAX has powered child-proof locks on the rear dual sliding doors, and rear parking sensors.

The Titanium trim adds auto front wipers and headlamps, dual electronic automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, hill launch assist, keyless start, cruise control with speed limiter, premium Sony audio, and tyre deflation detection system. The Grand C-MAX Titanium also has power folding mirrors.

There’s a choice of three petrol engines and two diesel engines.

The Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX range will debut an all-new Ford four-cylinder 1.6-litre 150PS EcoBoost engine which comes with a new six-speed manual gearbox. This gearbox is also found in the 1.6 TDCi and 2.0 TDCi powertrains. For those who prefer an automatic transmission, the dual-clutch Powershift six-speed automatic option will be available with the 2.0 TDCi powertrain.

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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