The wraps are set to come off Ford’s all-new B-MAX on February 27 at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, making it the first time a car has been unveiled at the leading mobile industry event. The automotive world, meanwhile, will have to wait for Geneva next month before the vehicle is introduced by Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally.
At the unveiling in Barcelona, Ford will also announce new technologies for Europe that will debut on the B-MAX, making it among the most technologically advanced small cars on the market.
The B-MAX, as is already known, has a unique Easy Access Door System, with central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors, making for unrivalled access for passengers and luggage alike. The B-segment MPV is set to have a wide range of engine choices, including the new 120 PS 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.
is it safe for a car without B-Pillar?
read carefully “central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors”
why not? with the proper restructuring and support, it is.
It’s meant for the European market, so it has to be.
I think you shouldn’t drive it with open doors, and I’m not sure what happens when you roll it and have to open the doors (although while resting the pressure might not be so high than when rolling), but other than that it should be perfectly safe.
mazda rx-8 with suicide doors, perodua experimental bezza.
Toyota ISIS done this years back.
Looks like an obese Fiesta who has had too much to eat.
Wow..! Now this is what a mini MPV should look like..!! Practical n yet still garang! (hint, hint alza snigger, snigger…) I like it so much… it’ll be super if it really comes with 1.1lit ecoboost engine.
Fantastic job Ford.
omg.. It looks really good.. But it’d be overprice..
fiesta price + 10k
hopefully that’s true
this b-max is 5seater. if it is 5+2, then it’s better imo.
price it well, its sale well.
perhaps… if it comes with that 1.1lit ecoboost then it should cost less… lets wait n see.
I’m seriously impressed with Ford’s new designs, whether it’s the Ranger, Fusion, Fiesta, B-MAX or Mondeo.
They are serious value for money (outside of Malaysia of course) and packed with style, technology and practicality.
What the Honda Freed should have been!
Very interesting concept. And nice rims too. =)
But why not something like a Kangoo then? The latest generation will be cheaper, almost as safe, more spacious, … and the new Kangoos for example are quite refined. Same goes to the VW, Ford, Opel, Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot alternatives. If you want the best bang for your buck. This is more stylish though, I agree. And, if you pay more, also better spec’ed with all sorts of gimmicks (after all they launch it at MWC instead of a car show).
Honda Freed is crap and HM sales ppl were over arrogantly ambitious thinking malaysians wud be stupid enuf to buy it…now they realize they arent the market player anymore.
Nice design..1st of it kind for a compact car..both side without b-pillar..the only car i ever saw with no b-pillar was the toyota isis, but only the left side..
mazda rx8?
Some Mercedes coupes (CL usually IIRC) also don’t have a B pillar. For a B segment car it’s new, just as the sliding doors are (there was the Peugeot 1007, which probably was A or B segment, that one had sliding doors too, but for the front doors (it only had 2 doors). Unfortunately it never took off… they marketed it at a young audience, whereas it was probably ideal for the elderly. Slow, enough space for 2 + wheelchair, sliding doors so that getting inside was very easy).
The concept of a mini MPV isn’t that new (Opel Meriva, Ford Fusion (the European one, not the US Fusion which is basically a Mondeo), even the Alza), but sliding doors on such a car are new to me (although the related car category that includes the Kangoo for example was also based on B segment cars (the latest generation is usually sitting on a C segment chassis though), were short and had sliding doors, but they were less refined and even taller/more spacious).
looks like a toyota car i see in the toyota japan center 3 years ago!
nice!!
Ford FTW !! , just love how Ford manage to design and mechanics their cars, cant wait for the All new 2012 Ford Focus to arrive Malaysia
if only sdac is as enthusiastic as ford worldwide
ford is getting better in malaysia…especially new ranger….awesome performance. ahead of it class.
I earger to see how that 1.0 engine works on this nice car. Pls price it well.
Hi Paul. I just drop a email to Ford Malaysia. Reply from them that B-max is not available for M’sia. Only for Europe market. Is it true?