| Ford B-Max | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford Europe |
| Model Code: | B232 |
| Production: | June 2012 – September 2017 |
| Assembly: | Romania: Craiova (Ford Romania) |
| Designer: | Ernesto Rupar Eugen Enns[1] |
| Class: | Mini MPV (B) |
| Body Style: | 5-door estate |
| Layout: | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform: | Ford global B-car platform |
| Related: | Ford Fiesta Mk VI |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase: | 24891NaN1 |
| Length: | 40771NaN1 |
| Width: | 17511NaN1 |
| Height: | 16041NaN1 |
| Predecessor: | Ford Fusion |
| Successor: | Ford EcoSport Ford Puma (crossover) |
The Ford B-Max (stylized as Ford B-MAX) code name: B232, is a mini Van (M-segment) manufactured by Ford Europe from 2012 to 2017. Built on the Ford global B platform, it was initially unveiled as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show,[2] and was officially launched at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.[3]
Production began in June 2012, and marketing of the first units started during late July.[4] It was launched in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2012.[5] The B-Max is based on the Ford Fiesta, and its main rivals were the Fiat 500L, the Citroën C3 Picasso and the Nissan Note.[6]
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The styling of the B-Max continues the Ford Kinetic Design theme, and has rear sliding doors with no B-pillars.[7] The B-Max is available with the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine of the Ford EcoBoost family, that features turbocharged direct injection and start-stop system.[8]
This engine officially won the title of "International Engine of the Year 2012".[7] The 1.6-litre Duratec engine can be fitted with the PowerShift six speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.[9]
It has three different trim levels: Studio, Zetec and Titanium. The Studio is the basic model, and it is available only with the 1.4-litre engine.[10] The first B-Max was bought by the President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, on 25 June 2012, directly from the Craiova plant.[11] In September 2017, production of B-Max ended, due to dwindling demand for the model, as well as a general decline in sales of mini MPVs.
Unusually for a Ford, this model did not receive a mid-cycle facelift in order to boost sales, the closest successors were intended as the EcoSport as well as the Fiesta Active, transitions from MPV to SUV design.
The B-Max features the "Intelligent Protection" system. It also featured Ford's Torque Vectoring Control, which improves handling and agility, and the SYNC and Fold Flat systems.[7] Ford's Emergency Assistance feature alerts local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region. It was available in more than thirty countries, mostly in Europe.[12]
The Ford B-Max was tested by Euro NCAP in September 2012, receiving a five star safety rating.[13]
| Test | Score | Points |
| Overall: | N/A | |
| Adult occupant: | 92% | 33 |
| Child occupant: | 84% | 41 |
| Pedestrian | 67% | 24 |
| Safety assist: | 71% | 5 |
The Telegraph reviewed the B-Max on 28 August 2012. The reviewer, Andrew English, gave the car a 4 out of 5 stars, and his verdict was that it “brings something new and useful to the market”.[14]
What Car? magazine rated the B-Max with 4 out of 5 (later 3 out of 5)[15] stars, giving the car a positive review.[16]
| Engine | Type | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0 - 100 km/h | Top speed | Combined consumption | emissions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | |||||||||
| 1.0 Ecoboost | I3 | 999 cc | 74kW | 1690NaN0 at 1,400 - 4000 rpm | 13.2 s | 1750NaN0 | 4.9L/100 km | 112 g/km | |
| 1.0 Ecoboost | I3 | 999 cc | 88kW | 2010NaN0 at 1,400 - 4500 rpm | 11.2 s | 1880NaN0 | 4.9L/100 km | 112 g/km | |
| 1.4 Duratec | I4 | 1,388 cc | 66kW | 1270NaN0 at - rpm | 13.8 s | 1710NaN0 | 6L/100 km | 139 g/km | |
| 1.6 Duratec | I4 | 1,596 cc | 77kW | 1500NaN0 at - rpm | 12.1 s | 1800NaN0 | 6.4L/100 km | 149 g/km | |
| Diesel engines | |||||||||
| 1.5 Duratorq[17] | I4 | 1,498 cc | 55kW | 1900NaN0 at - rpm | 16.5 s | 1580NaN0 | 4.1L/100 km | 109 g/km | |
| 70kW | 2150NaN0 at - rpm | 13.0 s | 1740NaN0 | 4L/100 km | 98 g/km | ||||
| 1.6 Duratorq[18] | I4 | 1,560 cc | 71kW | 2150NaN0 at - rpm | 13.9 s | 1730NaN0 | 4.7L/100 km | 104 g/km | |
| Year | Europe[19] | |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 15,871 | |
| 2013 | 68,557 | |
| 2014 | 53,889 | |
| 2015 | 46,147 | |
| 2016 | 40,474 | |
| 2017 | 43,339 | |
| 2018 | 3,545 | |
| 2019 | 3 |