- Ford Easy Access Door System combines hinged front doors and sliding rear doors to create a 1.5-metre unobstructed opening for unrivalled access and versatility
- B-MAX introduces Ford’s voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, SYNC, to Europe. SYNC features award-winning Emergency Assistance feature
Brentwood, Essex, 14 August, 2012 – The all-new Ford B-MAX offers customers a smarter and more versatile compact car, with a breakthrough door concept which provides unrivalled access and some of the most advanced small car technologies.
Smart technologies offered by the B-MAX include SYNC, Ford’s voice-activated, in-car connectivity system with award-winning Emergency Assistance, plus a host of premium comfort features.
“The B-MAX is packed full of ingenious features, from its unique door concept to the powerful SYNC voice control system,” said Ford’s global small car vehicle line director Nick Collins. “Customers can look forward to a smarter and more capable compact car.”
Ground-breaking vehicle concept The B-MAX presents Ford’s vision for a premium compact multi-activity vehicle, combining outstanding space and versatility within a smart and stylish exterior.
The Ford Easy Access Door System was developed following an innovation project in which engineers “went undercover” to observe drivers in their daily routine – going shopping or picking up their children from school – to understand exactly what customers wanted in a compact car.
The solution they came up with combines conventional, hinged front doors and rear sliding doors, in a new body design. This integrates the traditional central pillar structure into the front and rear doors, rather than forming part of the bodyshell itself, and creates a huge, clear opening — more than 1.5 metres wide.
This is around twice the width offered by competitors with alternative door concepts and makes it significantly easier to enter or exit the rear seats, attend to children in child seats, or load and unload shopping.
B-MAX’s twin sliding rear doors also make access easier in crowded streets or narrow parking bays. The front and rear doors can be opened completely independently, so the front or rear cabin can be accessed as required.
Ford SYNC technology with Emergency Assistance The new B-MAX is the first European Ford to offer the company’s acclaimed SYNC system.
SYNC is an advanced voice control, device integration and connectivity interface. It enables users to connect mobile phones and music players by Bluetooth or USB, make hands-free telephone calls, and control music and other functions using voice commands.
It can automatically transfer contact information from a connected Bluetooth device to the vehicle, allows calls to contacts to be activated using straight-forward voice commands and reads text messages aloud from compatible phones connected using Bluetooth.
SYNC also enables B-MAX to offer the innovative new Emergency Assistance feature which is designed to assist the occupants to call the local emergency services operator in the event of an accident. Emergency Assistance won the “Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive, Transport or Utilities” category at the 2012 Global Mobile Awards, Barcelona.
Flexible and easy-to-use interior A flexible and easy-to-use seating system features 60/40 split rear seats which can be folded flat with a simple ‘one-hand, one-motion’ mechanism. The front passenger seat can also be folded, creating an extensive flat load floor capable of swallowing loads up to 2.34 metres long.
The generous access makes it particularly convenient to load bulky items such as flat-pack furniture or even a bicycle through the side doors. An adjustable load floor in the boot creates a flat load space when the rear seats are lowered, with extra room underneath for valuable items.
With an overall vehicle height which is 12cm higher than the Fiesta, B-MAX offers drivers the benefits of a higher “command” seating position, and provides significantly improved rear seat legroom and headroom.
Premium technologies in a compact package The B-MAX features a host of premium technologies demanded by buyers looking to “right-size” their new car – around 40 per cent of B-MAX customers are expected to choose B-MAX after previously owning a larger vehicle while 20 per cent are expected to have previously owned a smaller car.
Comfort and convenience features include an exclusive eight-speaker Sony audio system, all-new electronic automatic climate control system, Key Free system, Ford Power Button, Rear View Camera, Quickclear heated windscreen and Easy Fuel system.
