Ford's B-Max: Fiesta-based runaround that goes THUNK

Alley docking? There's a camera for that

However, perhaps the best gew-gaw is the rear parking camera. This is similar to the one on the Jaguar Sportbrake, but that’s a car which costs more than twice as much as the B-Max. The camera gives a super wide-angle view of what’s behind, overlaid with distance and trajectory indicators. It shows the path you will follow if you continue reversing with the steering lock you are on. It’s also super-bright so at night it’s very much easier to park using the reversing camera than by looking out the back.

The useful and highly functional rear-view camera, featuring trajectory indicators

The obvious target market for the B-Max is young families. It offers great ease of access for getting kids in and out, easy parking for the school run, and great economy. It would also find favour with older users or particularly with people who care for older people as the access to the rear is so good.

Unfortunately, and yes this is a generalisation, most older people and those who work in care are not tech savvy, and that in-car entertainment system is going to baffle people beyond belief. And when El Reg complains that something is too techie it’s going some.

The B-Max isn’t supposed to be a car which stirs your soul - Ford has the STs and Mustang for that - but it is an eminently practical car. I learnt to drive in a Ford with sliding doors, often leaving them open as I drove around on errands in Borehamwood. That was a Ford which was a by-word for practicality and reliability. I rather miss my dad’s Transit. ®

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