Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Ford C-Max debuts, Grand C-Max bound for American shores
by Noah Joseph on Sep 15th 2009 at 3:41PM 
2010 Ford C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery
Among the many cars available here in Europe that we pine for Stateside, you may be surprised that Ford minivans rank among them. We got a ride in the Galaxy-based S-Max on our way back from driving the new Fiesta in Tuscany and were thoroughly impressed, and from what we hear its Focus-based kid brother C-Max isn't half bad either. But today Ford unveiled a new C-Max, and we need pine no more, for the compact MPV is headed our way. At least, the seven-seat Grand C-Max version is, anyway.Echoing Chrysler's minivans, the new C-Max is available in two formats: standard wheelbase and long-wheelbase Grand C-Max. The five-seater (green at right) has a sportier appearance with conventional rear doors, while the seven-seater (above in silver) gets sliding doors and a plane ticket across the Atlantic. Both are based on Ford's new global C-segment platform that will underpin the next-generation Focus and offer clever packaging with a compelling adaptation of the Blue Oval's kinetic design language. See for yourself in the high-res gallery of live shots below.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jim Dubois 3:43PM (9/15/2009)
Reminds me of Mazda 5 but the rims on this C-Max are terrific looking!
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thomas 3:46PM (9/15/2009)
it reminds you of a mazda.
imagine that.......
MBZ4forme 4:23PM (9/15/2009)
LOL!
Aven 4:50PM (9/15/2009)
True, they are both the same type of car...
Mark R 3:47PM (9/15/2009)
Looks good.
Dear Ford - please offer it with a manual transmission. (Just like the Mazda 5)
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Farmboy 4:08PM (9/15/2009)
It is offered with a manual. It is shown in the initial photos that were released a few days ago.
Aven 4:52PM (9/15/2009)
Ford should offer manual transmission on all their vehicles.
James 2:01AM (9/18/2009)
Well yes, nearly every European car smaller than a 7-series is offered with manual transmission, so of course the C-Max and C-Max Grand are offered in shift-it-yourself format. The question is whether or not that transmission will make it to the U.S.-spec model.
Matt 3:47PM (9/15/2009)
Wait...so to compliment their "minivan replacement" (
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Jose 3:51PM (9/15/2009)
It is indeed a mazda5
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John 4:18PM (9/15/2009)
Well, yes and no. Mazda5, just like the Mazda3 on which it's based, has its origins from Ford's current C platform. This is on the new platform, also designed by Ford.
Rick 10:15AM (9/16/2009)
Whatever, still looks like a Mazda5.
inline6 3:53PM (9/15/2009)
Yeah, I can't imagine that Mazda NA will be too happy about this coming over to compete in the 5's tiny niche, when the only other competitor is the Kia Rondo. Then again, Mazda uses the same platform, so I doubt they'll complain too loudly.
I'd love to see this segment get hotter in the US, with Chrysler offering a next-gen Fiat Multipla, and GM bringing over the Zafira as a Buick or GMC. Maybe Nissan (or Saturn?) could send us the Scenic, too. And if there was a way of getting the Citroen C4 Picasso...
The only way the minivan segment has a hope in hell of regaining sales is with vehicles like these, IMO.
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madtuscan 3:56PM (9/15/2009)
I think it is a very good looking mini van!
Thank you Deutschland!!!
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larry raines 3:57PM (9/15/2009)
really great looking - I wish there was some photos of the 3 row of seats
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Mr.TiredOfEconomicDownturn 4:12PM (9/15/2009)
+1. I don't see where the third row goes in. Looks spacious, but I hope they don't up being tiny and horrible.
11800506 4:26PM (9/15/2009)
The previous post on the Grand C-Max has a picture that shows the
rows of seating:
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-ford-grand-c-max/#9
The seats would only really be usable in a pinch since there doesn't
appear to be very much legroom, but for little kids they'd work
fine.
angelov.todor 4:00PM (9/15/2009)
Europe doesn't need Grand C-Max, we've got S-Max (great car) and Galaxy. The last one is unnecessary too. C-Max and S-Max are enough for Europe.
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Aven 4:53PM (9/15/2009)
Ford,
Please bring S-Max and the normal C-Max to America too...
John 4:20PM (9/15/2009)
Looks like another winner for Ford. Now, can we stop using "Grand" in these names, please? Grand Cherokee, Grand Caravan, Grand Vitara, Grand Nauseam.
Time for something new to denote the long-ass version. "Grand" sounds like you should be wearing a powdered wig when you drive it.
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