| Manufacturer | Ford Europe |
|---|---|
| Model code | B232 |
| Production | June 2012 – September 2017 |
| Assembly | Romania: Craiova (Ford Romania) |
| Designer | Ernesto Rupar Eugen Enns[1] |
| Class | Mini MPV (B) |
| Body style | 5-door MPV |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Ford global B-car platform |
| Related | Ford Fiesta Mk VI |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed iB5 Durashift manual (1.0/1.4 gasoline and 1.5/1.6 diesel only) 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic (1.6 gasoline only) |
| Wheelbase | 2,489 mm (98.0 in) |
| Length | 4,077 mm (160.5 in) |
| Width | 1,751 mm (68.9 in) |
| Height | 1,604 mm (63.1 in) |
| Predecessor | Ford Fusion |
| Successor | Ford EcoSport Ford Puma (crossover) |
The Ford B-Max (stylized as Ford B-MAX) is a mini MPV (M-segment) manufactured by Ford Europe from 2012 to 2017. Built on the Ford global B platform, it was initially unveiled as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show,[2] and was officially launched at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.[3]
Production began in June 2012, and marketing of the first units started during late July.[4] It was launched in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2012.[5] The B-Max is based on the Ford Fiesta, and its main rivals were the Fiat 500L, the Citroën C3 Picasso and the Nissan Note.[6]
Overview
The styling of the B-Max continues the Ford Kinetic Design theme, and has rear sliding doors with no B-pillars.[7] The B-Max is available with the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine of the Ford EcoBoost family, that features turbocharged direct injection and start-stop system.[8]
This engine officially won the title of "International Engine of the Year 2012".[7] The 1.6-litre Duratec engine can be fitted with the PowerShift six speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.[9]
It has three different trim levels: Studio, Zetec and Titanium. The Studio is the basic model, and it is available only with the 1.4-litre engine.[10] The first B-Max was bought by the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, on 25 June 2012, directly from the Craiova plant.[11] In September 2017, production of B-Max ended, due to dwindling demand for the model, as well as a general decline in sales of mini MPVs.
Unusually for a Ford, this model did not receive a mid-cycle facelift in order to boost sales, the closest successors were intended as the EcoSport as well as the Fiesta Active, transitions from MPV to SUV design.
Technology
The B-Max features the "Intelligent Protection" system. It also featured Ford's Torque Vectoring Control, which improves handling and agility, and the SYNC and Fold Flat systems.[7] Ford's Emergency Assistance feature alerts local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region. It was available in more than thirty countries, mostly in Europe.[12]
Safety
The Ford B-Max was tested by Euro NCAP in September 2012, receiving a five star safety rating.[13]
| Test | Score | Points |
| Overall: | N/A | |
| Adult occupant: | 92% | 33 |
| Child occupant: | 84% | 41 |
| Pedestrian: | 67% | 24 |
| Safety assist: | 71% | 5 |
Reviews
The Telegraph reviewed the B-Max on 28 August 2012. The reviewer, Andrew English, gave the car a 4 out of 5 stars, and his verdict was that it “brings something new and useful to the market”.[14]
What Car? magazine rated the B-Max with 4 out of 5 (later 3 out of 5)[15] stars, giving the car a positive review.[16]
Engines
| Engine | Type | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Combined consumption | emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | ||||||||
| 1.0 Ecoboost | I3 | 999 cc | 101 PS (74 kW) | 169 N⋅m at 1,400–4000 rpm | 13.2 s | 175 km/h (109 mph) | 4.9 L/100 km | 112 g/km |
| 1.0 Ecoboost | I3 | 999 cc | 120 PS (88 kW) | 201 N⋅m at 1,400–4500 rpm | 11.2 s | 188 km/h (117 mph) | 4.9 L/100 km | 112 g/km |
| 1.4 Duratec | I4 | 1,388 cc | 90 PS (66 kW) | 127 N⋅m at – rpm | 13.8 s | 171 km/h (106 mph) | 6.0 L/100 km | 139 g/km |
| 1.6 Duratec | I4 | 1,596 cc | 105 PS (77 kW) | 150 N⋅m at – rpm | 12.1 s | 180 km/h (112 mph) | 6.4 L/100 km | 149 g/km |
| Diesel engines | ||||||||
| 1.5 Duratorq[17] | I4 | 1,498 cc | 75 PS (55 kW) | 190 N⋅m at – rpm | 16.5 s | 158 km/h (98 mph) | 4.1 L/100 km | 109 g/km |
| 95 PS (70 kW) | 215 N⋅m at – rpm | 13.0 s | 174 km/h (108 mph) | 4.0 L/100 km | 98 g/km | |||
| 1.6 Duratorq[18] | I4 | 1,560 cc | 97 PS (71 kW) | 215 N⋅m at – rpm | 13.9 s | 173 km/h (107 mph) | 4.7 L/100 km | 104 g/km |
Sales
| Year | Europe[19] |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 15,871 |
| 2013 | 68,557 |
| 2014 | 53,889 |
| 2015 | 46,147 |
| 2016 | 40,474 |
| 2017 | 43,339 |
| 2018 | 3,545 |
| 2019 | 3 |
References
- ^ "Ford B-MAX Concept: design images". Car Body Design. 2011-03-03.
- ^ "Nouvelle ford B-MAX" [New Ford B-Max] (in French). The Web Consulting. 2011-03-02. Archived 2012-03-26 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Ford B-MAX Debuts at 2012 Mobile World Congress". Autoevolution. 2012-02-28.
- ^ "Ford vinde în România noul model B-Max" (in Romanian). Capital. 2012-03-22. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ "2012 Ford B-Max". motoring.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- ^ "2012 Ford B-Max Overview". What Car?. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ "New Ford B-Max Brochure". Ford. 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ "Genève 2011 : Ford B-Max" (in French). Autosblog. 2011-02-28. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
- ^ "FORD B-Max (2012 - Present)". Autoevolution.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
- ^ "Ford B-Max Trim Levels". Ford. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ Ionescu, Cristian (2012-06-25). "Ford a lansat astăzi producția modelului B-Max la uzina din Craiova. Traian Băsescu - primul client" [Today, Ford launches B-Max production at its Craiova plant: first client - Traian Băsescu] (in Romanian). evz.ro. Evenimetul Zilei. Archived 2013-07-28 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Ford B-Max va apela automat "112" în caz de accident" [Ford B-Max to automatically dial 112 in case of an accident] (in Romanian). Autobis. 2012-07-23. Archived from the original on 2012-12-25.
- ^ "Ford B-MAX". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
- ^ Andrew English (2012-08-28). "Ford B-Max Review". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Ford B Max MPV Review". What Car? Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ Tullin, Pete. "Ford B-max Review". What Car? Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- ^ http://www.ford.de/cs/BlobServer?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&blobheadervalue1=attachment%3Bfilename%3D%22Ford_B-MAX-Broschuere.pdf[dead link]
- ^ http://www.ford.ro/cs/BlobServer?blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobcol=urldata&blobheadervalue1=attachment%3Bfilename%3D%22Brosura+B-MAX.pdf[dead link]
- ^ "Ford B-Max European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2014-01-28. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
External links
- Official website (archived)