Ford B-MAX - a little family nerd
A family car should be comfortable, large and functional. On the market you can find a whole group of cars that meet not one, but all three conditions. So why do some fly like hot cakes, while others are not needed even by a dog with a lame leg? Modern solutions, details and small highlights - it seems that today this is the best recipe for success. Did Ford use this recipe when creating a new family minivan? Let's check out what's special about the latest Ford B-MAX.
Rumors need to be dispelled at the outset. Ford B-MAX it was a big, boring and clumsy family car, better not to show up in the trendy neighborhoods and in front of the club. Yes, this is not a hot hatchback, but it is far from large family buses. Is it a disadvantage? Advantage? A little of both, because the small size makes the car dynamic - both in style and handling - and does not give the impression of a clumsy pontoon. On the other hand, it doesn't have as much space as the larger and sometimes derided buses. But something for something.
Ford B-MAX Of course, it won’t win all competitions in terms of spaciousness and space, but, as we mentioned at the beginning, the main thing is the idea and a hint of ingenuity, and the manufacturer’s novelty with a blue oval works great in this topic. At first, it may come as a big surprise that the new B-MAX shares the floor with the new Ford Fiesta, which is, after all, the B-segment subcompact. So why is there so much space and so much aspirations inside? for a family car?
Ford boasts a unique panoramic door system Ford Easy Access Door. What is it about? It's simple - the door opens almost like a barn. The front doors open traditionally, and the rear doors slide back. There is nothing extraordinary in this, if not for a small detail - there is no B-pillar that connected directly to the door, and not to the body structure. Yes, one can doubt the rigidity of the whole structure, but such concerns can arise in the case of sports and fast cars, and the Ford B-MAX is not fast. In addition, in such a machine, functionality is important, not rigidity in fast corners. Safety? According to the manufacturer, in the event of a side impact, the reinforced door frames absorb the impact energy, and in extreme situations, special latches are triggered to reinforce the connection of the door to the edge of the roof and the lower threshold. . Apparently, the manufacturer did not put this solution on the go and foresaw everything exactly.
Of course, doors are not to be admired, first of all it is convenience and functionality. By opening both wings, you can get 1,5 meters wide and unhindered access to the car interior. It doesn't look extraordinary on paper, but taking up space in the back seat, or even packing groceries inside, becomes a lot easier and more convenient. The manufacturer also thought about the luggage compartment. The rear seat folds 60/40. If we want to transport something much longer, by folding the passenger seat we will be able to carry items up to 2,34 meters long. Luggage capacity is not impressive - 318 liters - but allows you to take basic luggage with you for a short trip. With the rear seats folded down, the trunk volume increases to 1386 litres. The car is not heavy - in the lightest version it weighs 1275 kilograms. Ford B-MAX has a length of 4077 mm, a width of 2067 mm and a height of 1604 mm. The wheelbase is 2489 mm.
Since this is a car with family aspirations, it was not without an increased level of safety. The manufacturer claims that the new Ford B-MAX is the first car in the segment to be equipped with the Active City Stop collision avoidance system. This system helps avoid traffic jams with a moving or stationary vehicle in front. To be sure, such a system would lower the wages of local sheet metal workers and protect family savings. Yes, this is another interference with the sovereignty of the driver, but in a traffic jam, in bad weather and reduced concentration, a moment of inattention is enough to deform your bumper or move the lamp. How does this system work?
The system monitors traffic in front of the vehicle and applies the brakes when it detects a risk of collision with the vehicle in front. Tests have shown that the system will prevent a collision at speeds up to 15 km / h, stopping the car in time. At slightly higher speeds up to 30 km/h, the system can only reduce the severity of such a collision, but still better than nothing. Of course, there were other safety systems, such as the stabilization system, which will be available as standard on all versions of the Ford B-MAX. Among other things, thanks to all these systems and concern for the active and passive safety of passengers, the new Ford B-MAX received 5 stars in the latest Euro NCAP test.
If we talk about electronics and interesting technological solutions, then it is worth mentioning the SYNC system. What's this? Well, SYNC is an advanced voice-activated in-car communication system that allows you to connect mobile phones and music players via Bluetooth or USB. In addition, this system allows you to make hands-free phone calls and control sound and other functions using voice commands. Hopefully the system doesn't respond to every word, because if you're driving with three kids in the back seat, the system can just go crazy. Speaking of the SYNC system, we should also mention the Emergency Assistance function, which, in the event of an accident, allows you to notify local emergency operators about the incident.
Okay - there is a lot of space, it is interesting to open the door, and security is at a high level. And what's under the hood of the new Ford B-MAX? Let's start with the smallest 1,0-liter EcoBoost unit in two versions for 100 and 120 hp. The manufacturer praises its offspring, claiming that the small power allowed to compress the power characteristic of larger units, while maintaining low combustion and low CO2 emissions. For example, the 120 PS variant comes standard with Auto-Start-Stop, emits 114 g/km CO2, and has an average fuel consumption of 4,9 l/100 km, according to the manufacturer. If you are skeptical and prefer a more powerful engine, the offer includes a Duratec 1,4-liter unit with 90 hp. There's also a 105-hp 1,6-litre Duratec engine mated to an efficient Ford PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission.
For lovers of diesel units, two Duratorq TDCi diesel engines have been prepared. Unfortunately, the choice is quite modest, as is the power of the engines offered. The 1,6-liter version produces 95 hp. with an average consumption of 4,0 l / 100 km. The 1,5-hp 75-liter unit making its debut in Ford's European engine line-up seems a little mysterious when you look at the specs on paper. Not only is it much weaker than the 1,6-liter version, it also theoretically consumes more fuel - the average consumption, according to the manufacturer, is 4,1 l / 100 km. The only argument in favor of this unit is a lower purchase price, but everything will come out, as they say, “on the water”.
Nowy Ford B-MAX it's definitely a great alternative for families who aren't looking for a huge space for their weekly commute, but also need functionality and comfort in everyday life. Sliding doors will definitely come in handy for your everyday commute, school or shopping. Compared to the competition, Ford's new offering sounds interesting, but will sliding doors become a bargaining chip and a recipe for success? We will know about this when the car goes on sale.
