Ford has unveiled its Fiesta-based B-Max people hauler at the Geneva Motor Show. As its names implies, the B-Max will slot beneath the C-Max and S-Max MPVs.
The B-Max strongly resembles both the Fiesta and the larger C-Max vehicles’ kinetic design language, albeit in a slightly different package. Compared to the Fiesta, the B-Max is 4.3 inches longer and taller, while compared to the C-Max it is 12.6 inches shorter in length.
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What’s unique about the B-Max?
For starters, Ford points to the B-pillar-less design and sliding rear doors, which it says, offering ease of access that equates to a nearly five-foot wide opening. Despite the lack of a B-pillar, Ford says that the significantly reinforced doors allow for crash test results on par with a standard arrangement.
Although Ford is billing this small MPV as a concept car, the very production-like design and functional layout suggests this is more than a concept. Ford has also said that this concept provides, “an early preview of exciting innovations from Ford in the European small-car market.” The folks behind the Blue Oval also stated that this vehicle was developed with Europe’s love for small wagons and MPVs in mind, not America’s love for sedans – so don’t expect to see the B-Max state-side any time soon.
Power is expected to come from a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine with Start/Stop. The naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder found under the hood of the Fiesta is also likely to find its way under the hood of the B-Max.
Watch for the B-Max to enter production in 2012 as a 2013 model.
