All-New Ford B-MAX Delivers Dynamic Design and Superior Driving Quality

• B-MAX brings dynamic design and a stylish, high-quality interior to the compact multi-activity vehicle segment
• Best-in-class driving dynamics with standard Torque Vectoring Control, and premium levels of comfort and refinement

Brentwood, Essex, 14 August, 2012 – The all-new Ford B-MAX sets a new benchmark for stylish, compact and city-friendly cars.

The dynamic new model raises the bar with Ford’s fun-to-drive brand DNA, premium levels of comfort and refinement and a high-quality interior.

Compact, sporty and stylish
B-MAX is a compact, sporty and stylish car which adds its own distinctive character to the company’s multi-activity vehicle (MAV) line-up.

“We set out to create a compact vehicle that was both stylish and desirable,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s executive design director. “We wanted to show that a small car could be very spacious and practical inside, while still having a sleek and dynamic appearance.”

The vehicle’s striking front-end features a bold new interpretation of Ford’s signature trapezoidal grille. Other distinctive design elements include strong headlamp graphics, muscular shoulder line with powerful undercut, the window line with its characteristic kick-up behind the rear doors, and prominent wheel lips.

The bold three-dimensional surfacing of the body-sides includes a unique new rocker treatment, with a stylish ‘zigzag’ form on the rear doors.

Spacious interior with premium craftsmanship
The car’s spacious interior features the same kinetic design approach, and the bold graphics and sculpted surfaces develop the themes found in Ford’s latest small and medium cars.

Distinctive features include the slim, wing-like section of the upper instrument panel which reaches out to the door panels, and the prominent centre console, which flows down between the front seats.

High quality, contemporary materials emphasise detailed craftsmanship and finish, with a particular focus on achieving world-class fits with minimal gaps between components.

The B-MAX instrument panel is a one-piece moulding with a luxurious soft-touch finish, while the choice of premium trim materials extends to full leather upholstery with premium embossed leather; an optional full-size panoramic glass roof enhances the sensation of space and comfort within the cabin.

Advanced chassis technology
The new B-MAX shares Ford’s global B-car platform with the new Fiesta, and its chassis – with front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam – has been meticulously tuned by the company’s vehicle dynamics specialists to deliver the same fun-to-drive experience as its sister model.

Particular focus was placed on achieving the kind of agility and manoeuvrability which will prove especially valuable in the cut and thrust of city driving.

Key chassis technologies include the electric power assisted steering system, which features speed-dependent tuning for light steering at parking speeds together with a precise and confident feel at higher speeds. The B-MAX also features standard Torque Vectoring Control – as fitted to the latest Ford Focus – for superior traction and agility.

Ford’s engineers also optimised the B-MAX design to achieve premium standards of refinement and comfort. The strong, stiff bodyshell, combined with stiffer chassis components, optimised suspension bushes, and detailed attention to sealing and noise absorption throughout the vehicle, has resulted in significantly reduced noise levels.

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For further information and images go to:  http://b-max.fordmedia.eu/

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europeis responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.