New Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX unveiled

Ford has revealed pictures of the new five-seat Ford C-MAX and seven-seat Ford Grand C-MAX ahead of the cars' public debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. The models get Ford’s super-frugal new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, a boot that opens by passing your foot under the rear bumper and Ford’s SYNC 2 voice activation system.

The new looks represent the most obvious changes however. In line with the new Ford Focus and new Ford Mondeo, the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX now get a classy chrome grille that gives the models a more sophisticated look. The hands-free boot mechanism means Ford can lose the old boot grab handle to give the car a cleaner look from behind. New colours include Red Rush and a brown-grey shade called Caribou.

The C-MAX will get a revised engine range, with new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engines and new 1.6-litre diesel engines, both of which will improve on the fuel economy of the current range. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol will remain, but improvements mean it's now free to tax and should be even more economical on fuel.

Inside, the interior has been made more intuitive – including simpler controls for the air-conditioning – and there’s new black satin trim and chrome detailing. Plastic quality in general has improved compared to the old model.

The new centre storage console offers more space and has a sliding armrest – it can hold a litre bottle of water and a cup. The new swing-bin glovebox is easier to access, while the storage area on top of the dashboard is also bigger and now features a USB plug.

The options list has grown and includes a heated steering wheel, doorsill scuff plates and load net fitting points behind both the first and second row of seats.

Although Ford has yet to reveal full details on the new C-MAX models, we can expect them to be priced similarly to the current cars, which start from around £18,000.

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