Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga

Nary a month week day goes by that we're not told of the imminent importation of Ford's grass-is-greener Euro models. The Fiesta has been approved for U.S. consumption in 2010, and even though we've heard the Focus shtick before, it would appear that it's finally coming to fruition in late 2010 or early 2011. But Ford can't rely on just one product to justify sales of the next-generation C1 platform in the States (there's also the Volvo S40/C30 and Mazda3), so it's looking to bring two other Blue Oval-branded models to justify the expense.

Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, confirmed that the U.S. is slated to receive multiple C-segment vehicles that have already debuted in Europe and Japan. The first vehicle that could conceivably be brought to market is the recently released Kuga crossover, which shares the C1 platform and could be marketed as the next Escape or Mercury Mariner if we're lucky. The second model is the Ford C-Max, which is a more modern take on the traditional people mover, and would provide SUV refugees a compelling case to downsize their rides into anything but a minivan.

Fields didn't divulge when the European product onslaught would take place, but it's a safe bet that if either vehicle immigrates across the Atlantic, we'll be seeing them around the turn of the decade.



[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Ford will unveil a freshened C-MAX at this year's Bologna Motor Show. Originally called a Focus C-MAX when it debuted a couple of years ago, Ford is losing its focus, umm, the Focus name and going with just C-MAX on the new version. Along with the S-MAX, the new "MAX" vehicles are being touted as the stylish family friendly versatility wagon lineup. The new C-MAX sports a revised front end that mimics the S, plus a slew of new features including a glass panoramic roof option.

One of the trick new features is the lighting. The C-MAX sports HIDs with 'light strips' in place of the more customary parking light bulbs, and light blue fluorescents create a very stylish and effective headlamp look. LEDs are used out back in a vertical arrangement that that reminds us of Volvos.

On the inside, the new look for C-MAX features upgraded materials all around, and a new instrument cluster uses red backlighting and cleaner graphics to give the dash a more modern and hip look. The center console also packs an auxiliary input socket for your iPod. And finally, that panorama glass roof will be an option, with its "Solar Reflect" coating keeping things cool inside despite the expanse of glass overhead. Pretty slick makeover. Now we have to wait and see if this C-MAX nanowagon will find its way stateside.

More pics and press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]