Ford intros tech'd-up B-Max mini-MPV
Sync voice-controlled in-car comms, hi-fi kit on board
MWC 2012
Ford has taken the wraps off the B-Max - the first new class of car it has released for six years - and revealed it'll be the first vehicle to sport the car company's Sync voice-controlled in-car connectivity system.
Showing the vehicle off at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) show, Ford described the B-Max as "a sophisticated small family car" - its answer to the likes of the Honda Jazz and others in the mini-MPV arena, in other words.
As such, it's all about how much stuff you can cram in with the kids - and how accessible all that interior space is. To that end, the B-Max sports sliding rear passenger doors. The central pillar is built into the front doors so, open front and back, and you have unrestricted access to the inside.
But, Ford insisted, it's no less safe than fixed pillar designs when it comes to side-on impacts.
The B-Max will be offered with a choice of Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine gobbling up just 4.9 and 4.0 litres per 100km, respectively, the company claimed. CO2 output comes in at 114g/km and 104g/km, respectively.
Ford touted the B-Max's fancy Sony hi-fi too, and its use of Sync.
Sync isn't new. It has been available in the States for a year or so, and is now to be found in some 4m vehicles, Ford said. Sync integrates in-car electronics with phones, MP3 players and such. Voice-operated, it'll work with nine European languages.
Have a prang, and it'll even call up the local emergency services wherever you happen to be.
The B-Max will get a showing at next week's Geneva Motor Show - watch out for Reg Hardware's Car Week coverage - and will go on sale "later this year". ®
COMMENTS
Re: Re: Re: "litres per 100km"?
Hehe - yes Sean, I understand your point but even "km per litre" would make more sense to me than "litres per 100km". Easy maths I know - but it would be more readable to me.
Focus
This'll be the same as the Focus. All this great-sounding new kit, and absolutely none of it will be standard.
Spectacular
So, my thoughts as I run through the article;
"Wow, nice lines. Looks like a C-Max, a good thing in my book."
"Practical, real-world application of sliding doors. I could really value that!!"
"Nice from the front too, headlights have good lines."
"Sync sounds cool, and I like the idea of a decent hifi in a family car. It's been too long driving my POS Renault Megane Estate!"
"OH MY SWEET SANITY LOOK AT THAT DASHBOARD - MY EYES!!! MY EYES!!! I mean, WTF? THAT IS THE FUGLIEST DASH I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!! Looks like the centre console is giving birth to a Cylon; seriously, it does - must check again just to be sure..."
"MY EYESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!"
(Note to Ford: might be an idea to pay your designers a leeeetle bit more, don't you think? And maybe recruiting them from Ssangyong to save a few cents wasn't quite the bargain it seemed at the time? Just a thought... )
