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Ford’s Geneva 2011 double

Fiesta facelift and B-MAX concept set for Swiss show debut.

Ford B-MAX front

By Tom Phillips

10th August 2010

Ford isn’t afraid of looking forwards! The Paris Motor Show is on the horizon, but reports have emerged that the Blue Oval is readying two new models which will debut at next year’s Swiss expo.

While this year’s Paris event will see the debut of the European-spec new Focus in full production trim, including a hot ST model, next year’s Geneva event will see for pull the wraps off its tweaked Fiesta.

Styling changes are set to be minimal, with the car gaining revised bumpers and striking LED daytime running lights which follow the design of the revised S-MAX and Mondeo which have also been unveiled this year.

Under the bonnet, the car will debut the latest of Ford’s impressive direct injection, turbocharged EcoBoost engine range. The Fiesta will get the 90bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit that debuted in the Start concept car which was shown in China earlier this year. Ford is still considering a performance version, powered by the 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit too.

But the most striking model to bow next March will be the replacement for the Fusion. Set to be called B-MAX, the Fiesta-based small MPV will be shown in concept form, and is set to take on the Honda Jazz and the car we voted our supermini MPV of the year, the Kia Venga.

The design will be more conservative than the Fiesta, featuring a toned-down five-door body and interior that will appeal to buyers who like the current Fusion’s simple, functional aesthetic. However, the newcomer will major on practicality, getting a Jazz-rivalling seating layout.

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9 Comments

Sounds good to me

I think this is a good idea. I like how a certain manufacturer has the guts to expand their range!

The fact about LED daytime running lights appearing on the Fiesta for the very first time sounds like Ford's trying to keep things in the family. This 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine will sound promising too, as it has 3-cylinders. It should give exceptional fuel economy and CO2 emissions. As for the performance model having the 1.6, why don't you have both a manual and a paddle-shift-operated Powershift for it, so it can take the Germans?

As for the B-MAX, it needs to replace the Fusion, becuase it's well overdue a replacement. Also, do you think Ford should make it like the Fiesta?

Meanwhile, I really do hope the mk3 Focus and Mondeo facelift will be better-selling than the outgoing models!

By JPW2010 on 10 August, 2010, 3:14pm

Ford B Max

The B Max is better looking than the new Focus and there would appear to be some crossover in the ranges looking at their relative sizes!!

By jsfletcher61 on 10 August, 2010, 7:34pm

That steeply rising waistline on the B-max (picture 2)

It's supposed to be a family friendly car, but how are children supposed to be able to see outside the window?

By giulivo on 11 August, 2010, 2:25pm

More LEDs??

Oh no, not more tacky LEDs. I know all cars will need DLR lights, but what is wrong with traditional bulbs???

By mondeo_man on 11 August, 2010, 3:33pm

Practicality?

I am 6' tall and have owned a last shape Fiesta and 2 Fusions during the past 4 years (I do huge business mileage) - the last recently traded for a C Max to get better interior space to accommodate a new grandchild.
A new shape loan Fiesta made me realise that Ford have lost the plot when my head was almost touching the roof over the windscreen and there was no room to put a pushchair in the boot.
that and the low rent interior made me wonder what the Fusion replacement would be like.
The Fusion has always been the 'boxy and sensible' Fiesta combining a bland and sensible shape with terrific economy and cheap maintenance ( 1.6 tdci always returning 60mpg). How on earth can this new B Max replace that sort of practicality. The boot doesn't look like it will be very practical for a family holiday. Elderly people always bought the Fusion for its boring but sensible virtues.
I wonder if this new car will appeal to them because it doesn't to me.

By risquenun on 12 August, 2010, 8:30am

re more LEDs

More and more manufacturers will move to LED technology because of the huge power saving over ordinary incandescent bulbs, not to mention the reliability too. This may seem trivial, when the alternator is generating the power to run these bulbs, but, with DLRs becoming a legal requirement, and the move towards hybrid and electric vehicles, you start to see the benefits and the forward thinking. Also on another note regarding reliability of bulbs....have you tried to change a bulb on virtually any modern car recently?.... the better the longevity of LED bulbs the happier I shall be that manufacturers are using them!

By pete_jal on 12 August, 2010, 9:25am

Reaching for another gear

I hope Ford will equip their new B MAX with a 1.6 diesel and a six speed gear box. If diesel engines develop max torque around 1750 rpm why can't we have more diesel cars that will do 70 mph at 1750 rpm?

By seasiderwk on 12 August, 2010, 3:58pm

Cracking B Max

Cracking looking car. In fact most new fords are interesting, including the Fieast, new Focus and new Mondeo and I hope this new model sells like hot cakes for Ford. They deserve it with the effort they are making with the chassis, engineering and now the styling.

By LANMAN on 17 August, 2010, 11:47pm

Ford damned if they do, damned if the don't apparently! WEll I say good luck to them this is a cracking looking car

giulivo - I think you will find the B-max has theater style rear seats (raised higher than the ones in front) Ford know their market and will have thought long and hard about this, the Fusion may well have been bland and dull but it was a commercial success for Ford. The replacement is therefore an important car.

risquenun - If you were happy with the Fusions ecconomy, you'll be over the moon with this, set to feature start stop, regenerative braking, 6 speed box and a lower drag effienciency, this will return higher mpg's than the Fusion, boot space will be similar to the Fusion but wrapped in Fiesta's new clothes.

Lets face it we would haved panned Ford if the brought out a B- max that had similar styling to the Fusion. This car is set to be a commercial success too. I think this will attract people who ignored the Fusion due to it's bland styling. Stealing sales from the A class, mereva's and most cetainly the Jazz too is highly likely!


By Focus_your_mind on 18 August, 2010, 10:16am

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Pictures

Ford B-MAX front
Ford B-MAX rear
Ford Fiesta front
Ford Fiesta front
Ford Fiesta rear
Ford Fiesta side

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