[car fanatics]

Ford
Photo credit: Ford
February 27, 2012
By: CF staff

• B-MAX to feature SYNC voice-activation system for control of mobile phone and MP3 devices
  

• B-MAX with SYNC features Emergency Assistance as standard, placing a call direct to emergency services in the event of a crash, saving time and potentially lives
  

• Game-changing B-MAX design re-imagines the small car to provide unrivalled access for driver, passengers and luggage
  

• Choice of class-leading engines includes 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine delivering 15 percent more economical motoring than direct rivals
  

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2012 – Ford’s all-new B-MAX is a sophisticated small family car which delivers a powerful punch in terms of class-leading technology, fuel economy and an ingenious door design providing unrivalled access to the car.

Where most vehicles debut at motor shows, B-MAX makes its first public appearance at a key technology event, the first-ever vehicle to do so at the influential Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

This is especially fitting for Ford’s all-new compact multi-activity vehicle that heralds the European introduction of SYNC; a voice-activated in-car connectivity system that takes the integration of mobile devices, voice control and convenience to a new level with extensive device compatibility and voice command in UK English, EU French, EU Spanish, EU Portuguese, German, Italian, Turkish, Dutch and Russian.

“The all-new B-MAX is going to be a game-changer in the European compact family vehicle segment. No other vehicle in its class offers such an attractive combination of style, versatility and technology,” said Ford of Europe’s chairman and CEO, Stephen Odell. “We think it will be among the most technologically advanced small cars you can buy at any price.”

SYNC can seamlessly connect to mobile devices through Bluetooth, features an iPod and flash drive compatible USB connection and brings a potentially lifesaving feature in Emergency Assistance, the only feature of its kind which is designed to respond to a crash by using the customer’s connected mobile phone to call the emergency services directly, in their local language, with the location of the scene of the accident.

SYNC already features on more than 4 million vehicles in the U.S. and its European introduction through the B-MAX is a significant step towards a worldwide target of 13 million users by 2015. Ford is also announcing that it expects to have over 3.5 million SYNC-enabled vehicles on the roads of Europe by 2015, making SYNC the pre-eminent in-car connectivity system globally.

The B-MAX features the Ford Easy Access Door System that integrates central body pillars into the hinged front doors and sliding rear doors to create large, unobstructed openings on either side of the car. The solution followed extensive research and testing, including more than 1,000 computer simulations and 50 real-life crashes to develop the car’s resistance to side-impacts.

The B-MAX engine range offers as much as much as 15 per cent more economical motoring with class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions available on both the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine.

Opting for the B-MAX 1.0-litre EcoBoost 120PS, offering 114g/km CO2 emissions and fuel economy of 4.9l/100km (57.6mpg), could save customers as much as €3401 per year over its rivals, which trail behind with 134-149g/km CO2 emissions and 5.7l-6.4l/100km fuel consumption.

Torque Vectoring Control, which improves driving dynamics and cornering control, will ensure the B-MAX will live up to Ford’s reputation for producing cars which are fun to drive, while Active City Stop will help drivers avoid low-speed collisions using a forward-facing infra-red camera to detect objects in front of the car and automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to respond.

It also features an exclusive premium quality Sony audio system. Eight high-performance speakers and a 4 x 25 Watt Sony amplifier, enables drivers to select music from the built-in CD/radio unit, including Digital Audio Broadcast, or from their own portable music players connected via USB or Bluetooth using SYNC.

The B-MAX will make its automotive show debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in early March and goes on sale in Europe later this year.

[McLovin]

When, not if, gas prices spike up to near $5 or more this summer, I would say Ford will be in a seriously competitive position by offering a very comprehensive list of fuel efficiency leaders in most segments.

[Dequindre]

What?! That Kinetic Design interior looks much more refined than the one found in the Focus and Fiesta! The interiors in the Focus, Fiesta, and Escape look too chunky, this looks much better!

Oh, and I see some nice suicide doors for Lincoln!

[McLovin]

Nope, Fiesta looks much nicer.

[McLovin]

Nope, Fiesta looks much nicer.