Ford teases 2011 five-seat C-Max people mover ahead of Frankfurt debut

Ford has just released a few images of its next-generation C-Max tall hatchback ahead of the model's Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and we're as intrigued as much by what lurks under its hard candy shell as we are with its Iosis Max-derived styling. You see, the EurOval's handsome C-Max "compact multi-activity vehicle" is built on the company's new global C-platform architecture – the very same chassis that will underpin the next Focus that arrives in late 2010.

Ford is not yet disclosing much about its new Euro-market model, but the 2011 C-Max will be powered by a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Like the larger EcoBoost powerplants available in Ford's U.S. products, that means that the little I4 will be equipped with turbocharging and direct-injection for better power and fuel efficiency. No output figures for the engine have been released yet, but we suspect Ford will release horsepower and torque numbers (and further information) when the car rolls out in Frankfurt later this month.

Those wishing to purchase the C-Max will have some time to think about whether they're interested in plumping for options like the promised blind-spot detection system or the semi-self parking feature, because the model isn't slated to hit EU dealer forecourts until the second half of 2010. As this five-seater isn't slated to come to the States at all, the rest of us will just have to slake our curiosity on the high-res images below and the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

PRESS RELEASE:

FRANKFURT DEBUT FOR ALL-NEW FORD C-MAX:

STYLISH AND VERSATILE

COLOGNE, Germany, September 4, 2009 – Ford of Europe has released the first official images of the all-new Ford C-MAX, which will make its global debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The show opens to the public between September 17 and 27, 2009.

The new Ford C-MAX takes its design cues from the stunning iosis MAX concept car unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show, and brings new levels of style and desirability to the compact multi-activity vehicle (MAV) market.

Departing from usual MAV thinking by using Ford's 'kinetic design' styling language to adopt a more dynamic passenger-car look, the new model features a coupé-like, sweeping roofline while still retaining the established Ford C-MAX hallmarks of comfort, space, and practicality.

The new Ford C-MAX will introduce a host of new technologies to the Ford range, including an all-new 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost direct injection petrol engine and other advanced features to enhance convenience and safety such as semi-automatic parallel parking and a blind-spot detection system.

The Ford C-MAX will be launched in the second half of 2010 and is the first in a new generation of global vehicles developed from Ford's new C-segment platform, scheduled for introduction over the next several years. The global range will also include the all-new Ford Focus coming in late 2010.

Further details about the new Ford C-MAX will be released at Ford's Frankfurt press conference at 11.00 hrs (CET) on 15 September.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.