Photo: © Ford
Read aloud:
July 21, 2014
The Ford B-Max has been on the market for almost two years. We took a closer look at the car with the panoramic sliding door.
Something's missing, is the immediate thought as the B-Max stands before us with its doors wide open. The front swing doors are wide open and seem to be pointing toward us, while the rear sliding doors are at their stops. And indeed, something is missing – the B-pillar. Manufacturer Ford calls it the "panoramic sliding door" concept. The opening is 1,50 meters wide, providing a clear view of the seats without a pillar. It's an innovation that makes it extremely easy for rear passengers in particular to climb into the car.
This wasn't the only innovation that made the B-Max a household name when it first appeared in autumn 2012. Under the hood – the Cologne-based company's second model series after the Focus – was the highly acclaimed and now multi-award-winning EcoBoost engine. With a one-liter displacement and three cylinders, the unit is available in power outputs of 74 kW/100 hp and 88 kW/120 hp. The engines offer plenty of power, but aren't particularly fuel-hungry. The large unit consumes just 4,9 liters of gasoline per 100 km (66 US mpg). Buyers can also choose the B-Max with a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The 1,4-liter engine produces 66 kW/90 hp, or the 1,6-liter engine produces 77 kW/95 hp.
The test car was a diesel, with buyers offering two engines to choose from. The 1,6-liter diesel engine produces 70 kW/95 hp, and the 1,5-liter engine produces 55 kW/75 hp. The small diesel is economical, using just 4,1 liters of diesel per 100 km/h. Ford even claims fuel consumption of 4,0 liters per 100 km/h for the large diesel engine in the test car. In practice, this figure can only be approached with careful driving in a mix of country roads, city driving, and highway driving. However, the engine surprises with its excellent acceleration, reaching a top speed of 174 km/h. And for those who prefer neither diesel nor gasoline, the B-Max is also available in an LPG version with 66 kW/90 hp.
Sync is simply fun because it's so simple and fast. It's the communication and connectivity tool developed by Ford that allows you to quickly and easily connect smartphones to the vehicle. Voice control is very convenient, saving you from tedious typing and helping you focus on the road rather than on typing. Furthermore, the numerous electronic aids are a lot of fun. The test car is, of course, equipped with almost everything the options list has to offer. The "Active City Stop," for example, helps in dangerous situations when the driver is inattentive. If a collision is imminent, it brakes for the distracted driver, which is a very helpful feature in traffic jams or stop-and-go situations in city traffic. Cruise control, blind spot assist, and other aids ensure relaxed driving. And if the warnings become too much, you can press the switch-off button.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
Ford has managed to create plenty of space for the occupants within the Fiesta's architecture. After easy entry thanks to the panoramic sliding door, passengers can spread out in both the front and rear. It only becomes tight when a fifth person is needed. Only then do you realize that the B-Max is positioned in the small/compact car segment. Nevertheless, there's still plenty of room for luggage. The trunk holds 318 liters, and with the rear seats folded down, the volume increases to 1.386 liters. Those who want to load cargo over the front passenger seat can accommodate items up to 2,35 meters long.
The B-Max's listed price starts at €12.919,50 net. The car is available with a 1,4-liter gasoline engine with 66 kW/90 hp. Ford also offers even more affordable promotional models.
Photos: © Ford
Newsletter
Write a comment