Grand C-Max slides in

Ford has some grand news for C-MAX fans... Hot on the heels of the five-seater model, the blue oval is unveiling this larger version at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Called the Grand C-MAX, it gets seven seats, a longer wheelbase and – in a first for the range – sliding rear doors.

The interior layout is highly versatile, featuring a central chair in the middle row that can be folded away and stored underneath the seat next to it.

As a result, this provides walk-through access to the rears.

All the back seats can be folded to create a perfectly flat floor, too.

Throughout the cabin, there’s a feast of bold shapes and tactile materials.

A sculpted centre console wraps around driver and front passenger, giving a cockpit feel.

A multifunction steering wheel reduces dash clutter.

In addition to updated TDCi diesel units, both C-MAX variants get Ford’s all-new 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine.

A 2.0 version is under development, and is set to produce from 200bhp. There will also be a smaller turbo unit for sub-130bhp power.

The MPV is the first car to sit on Ford’s new C-segment platform, which will underpin the next Focus. Sales of the standard C-MAX and Grand start late next year.