Family Style: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max hits web ahead of Frankfurt rollout
by Frank Filipponio on Sep 11th 2009 at 1:29PM 
Last week, we gave you a sneak peek at Ford of Europe's new 2011 C-Max people mover. That Iosis Max-inspired "compact multi-activity vehicle" will officially debut in a few days at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the company's new global C-platform architecture that will underpin the next Ford Focus, the 2011 Ford C-Max will be powered by a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Beyond that we don't know much else about this tall hatch. What we do know is that it will be joined at the Messe by a bigger brother.
This morning, word (and official images) leaked out about the seven-seat, sliding door, extended version seen here – the 2010 Ford Grand C-Max. Looking a lot like its little sibling, the Grand C-Max is based on the same platform, with an extended wheelbase to house its three rows of seats. The greenhouse also gets tweaked in the taffy-pulling exercise, as does the roof. The biggest change is the use of the sliding rear doors, which make this Grand C-Max more like the Mazda5. We'll have further information as it's released and plenty of live pictures from Frankfurt when it is officially unveiled. Until then, check out the gallery below.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Grand C-Max
[Source: Ford via WorldCarFans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Farmboy 1:36PM (9/11/2009)
Looks great. That interior is amazing on the Grand C-Max. Too bad the Mazda5 looks that good. Maybe this could come over here. Better than any minivan here.
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akboss302 1:40PM (9/11/2009)
Are there going to be any actual 'reveals' AT Frankfurt?
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Shiftright 1:40PM (9/11/2009)
That's, dare I say it, a sexy MPV. Love the wheels and the interior...Why does Ford always keep its best stuff out of the US? Bring it!
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BoxerFanatic 2:17PM (9/11/2009)
Agreed.
I also quite like that wheel design.
It looks a bit under-sized on those fender flares...
But if they are 17x7, and 5x114.3 bolt pattern, and 40+ mm of positive offset... I have a car that would look great with 7-spoke pitched-airfoil looking wheels. :D
FThorn 1:43PM (9/11/2009)
Those back seats look very, very roomy. Kind of like first class airline seats. Much larger than the back seat on my motorcycle.
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Bloke 1:43PM (9/11/2009)
"Beyond that we don't know much else about this Honda Fit-challenging tall hatch." - Autoblog
What???? The Fit/Jazz is a standard B-segment hatchback. The C-Max is a C-segment MPV. Honda's C-segment MPV rival is the Civic-based Stream. Not even close, Autoblog!
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Ken Stamper 2:06PM (9/11/2009)
I was reading an article yesterday that compared the Golf/Rabbit to the Yaris. In America anything smaller than an Accord is just lumped in as another small car- especially if it is a hatchback.
Markus 2:06PM (9/11/2009)
Technically true, but in reality, the current C-Max is pretty small, while the Jazz/Fit is huge inside in terms of actual usable space. Overall they are pretty close size-wise and considering the rear seat folding mechanism, the Jazz might even come out on top in terms of utility.
Bloke 2:12PM (9/11/2009)
"Overall they are pretty close size-wise ..."
The European segments aren't based on interior volume though ... usually engine size ranges and overall dimensions - especially width.
Luis 3:16PM (9/11/2009)
I have been reading this blog for a long time and this is first time that I felt the need to express my outrage.
As a European I find the idea that a Fit and a C-Max are competitors utterly laughable.
In Portugal a Fit (Jazz) starts at 14K EUR and an (old) C-Max starts at 24K EUR. How can these cars possibly be comparable? Did you see the three rows of the Ford (Grand) C-Max?
Luis 3:17PM (9/11/2009)
You obviously did but I stop reading after “this Honda Fit-challenging tall hatch”.
Aaron Friedman 3:47PM (9/11/2009)
Yea, and we still only get one 'C' class in the States.. Mazda 5.
FordGuyDrew 1:45PM (9/11/2009)
I'm not sure if I like the front end, but the rest of it looks really good. I really like the rear sliding doors and the interior looks great. Similar in concept to the Mazda 5 for sure but alot better looking.
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Steve Lopez 1:49PM (9/11/2009)
Just build the damn thing here in the states.
Mazda cannot make enough of its 5 minivan.
Ford needs more models, this would be a hit here in the states!!
Is anyone listening!!!!!!
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James 2:04PM (9/11/2009)
Yes, but MPVs of this size aren't common in the US.
It's much roomier and more versatile than a Fit, but is dwarfed by U.S.-sized minivans.
This thing would look pint-sized parked next to a Honda Odyssey or Toyota minivan.
The only direct competition to this vehicle were it sold here would be... I guess the Kia Rondo? And when was the last time you saw one of THOSE on the road?
So sorry, pals, I'm not sure it's a convincing sell for the U.S. outside the confines of enthusiast blogs. I'd rather have the Citroen anyways.
Wes 2:11PM (9/11/2009)
I just bought a Mazda5 (which are hard to find), and cross shopped the Rondo and Journey... the 5 won by a mile.
Noidor 2:26PM (9/11/2009)
I did some research on this subject and found that US consumers are finally beginning to look at cars that are smaller in size, but well equipped and intelligently packaged. Meaning it's all about maximizing the room inside a smaller car without sacrificing the safety.
It all comes down to people not wanting heavy cars anymore, even crossovers are somewhat diminished in popularity, then obviously SUVs, trucks, minivans i.e. Odyssey. Only type of a non-sedan vehicle that's in heavily in demand is a Ford Escape (soft-roader).
In my view MPVs have a big future in US. Furthermore, the whole mentality of buying the most metal for least money is going away in a hurry. Companies that position their portfolios with this in mind will benefit tremendously in 2-3 years' time.
Tagg 10:50AM (9/12/2009)
Ford did announce in May they would bring the C-Max to the U.S. So if it does well and consumers end up looking for a little more space than what the C-Max offers then maybe you'll see the Grand C-Max.
Dane 2:27PM (9/11/2009)
Comparing it to the Mazda 5 is like saying what came first the chicken or the egg... Mazda built it's 5 on the idea of the C-Max mk1.... Even the 5 is styled like the C-Max....
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Wes 3:52PM (9/11/2009)
the issue is, of course, the C-max isn't available in the States. The Mazda5 sells out, with 0 marketing other than the Mazda corporate name recognition. If Ford sold this....
I honestly didn't even know about the 5, until I started looking for cars and took Autoblog's advice to look at Mazda. 3 rows, handles like a car, and loaded for $23k?? Ours is Stormy Blue :)