2011 Ford C-MAX and C-MAX Grand Pricing Announced in the UK

Ford today announced pricing on the all-new Focus-based five-seater C-MAX MPV and its seven-seater sibling, the C-MAX Grand, which will go on sale in the UK this October (U.S. sales of this model will start in late 2011). Both will be offered in a simplified two trim line-up (Zetec and Titanium) with prices starting from £16,745 for the C-MAX Zetec and £18,745 for the C-MAX Grand Zetec.

Buyers in Britain can choose from three petrol engines and two diesel engines. The gasoline lineup includes a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter unit with 105HP or 125HP, and Ford's new 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine with direct injection, turbocharging and twin independent variable valve timing that delivers 150HP. The Ecoboost unit is paired to a standard six-speed manual gearbox.

For those that prefer a diesel engine, there's a 115HP 1.6-liter TDCi and a 140HP 2.0-liter TDCi, both hooked up to a standard six-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0 TDCi is also offered optionally with Ford's dual-clutch Powershift six-speed automatic.

Standard equipment on all models includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather steering wheel, alarm, radio/CD and Bluetooth with USB connectivity and voice control. The Grand C-MAX also gets powered child-proof locks on the rear dual sliding doors, and rear parking sensors.

The Titanium trim adds auto front wipers and headlamps, dual electronic automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, hill launch assist, keyless start, cruise control with speed limiter, premium Sony audio, and tire deflation detection system. The Grand C-MAX Titanium also has power folding mirrors.

For details on pricing, check out the table below.

Ford to Launch C-MAX Full-Hybrid and Plug-in Electric in Europe in 2013

Ford said today that it plans to launch full-hybrid and a plug-in electric derivatives of its new C-MAX five-seat minivan in Europe in 2013. The Detroit automaker said that both hybrid variants of the C-MAX will be built at the company's Valencia plant in Spain when the company plans to invest close to $410 million (over €300 million) over the next three years.

The Valencia Plant also will produce the seven-seat version of the minivan called the Grand C-MAX for export to North America beginning in late 2011.

"The Hybrid Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric derivatives of the all-new Ford C-MAX are great news for the Valencia plant and region, for Spain, and for Ford customers across Europe, said John Fleming, CEO of Ford of Europe

"These new advanced technology models are key to Ford's commitment to delivering a portfolio of alternative powertrain vehicles globally and to European customers in the next few years," he added.

The C-MAX HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehcile) models will join the full battery-electric Ford Transit Connect, already announced for 2011, and a battery-electric derivative of the next-generation Ford Focus, due in 2012. Ford also plans to introduce one more hybrid-electric model details of which will be announced at a later time.

The new five-seat C-MAX and its seven-seat Grand C-MAX sibling will go on sale across Europe during the second half of 2010, while the Grand C-MAX for North America will follow in late 2011.

FORD C-MAX & GRAND C-MAX (Petrol / Diesel models)

Ford Confirms 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost Turbo for F-150, 2.0-liter Turbo for Explorer and Edge

Over the past few months we've heard several rumors regarding the models that will get FoMoCo's EcoBoost turbocharged engines.

Now, the Detroit automaker has officially confirmed that the 2011 F-150 pickup truck will be offered with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 upgraded for rear-wheel-drive applications, while a new 2.0-liter inline-four turbo will find its way under the hood of the next next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost unit will be launched along with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit, which will be used initially on the European C-Max people mover, by the end of the year.

Ford said that over the next few years, it plans to equip as much as 80 percent of the firm's global nameplates and 90 percent of North American nameplates with EcoBoost.

The company added that by the end of 2012, 98 percent of its North American market vehicles will be equipped with more fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions and that by 2014, as many as 20 percent of its global nameplates will be fitted with stop/start systems.

Ford Announces New 2.0 Turbo Engine with 203HP for Mondeo and 163HP Diesel for Kuga SUV

Along with the Euro-spec 2011 Focus, the final versions of the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which go on sale in Europe this year and some updates to the optional equipment of the recently revealed S-MAX and Galaxy facelift, Ford will also unveil the 2010 model year Mondeo and Kuga with powetrain and transmission enhancements at the Geneva Show.

Ford didn't clarify in its press release if the new Kuga and Mondeo also benefit from any cosmetic changes of the same subtle nature as those on the S-MAX and Galaxy (the Mondeo pictured above is an '09MY), but here's what the company had to say about the upgrades under the hood.

Starting with the Mondeo, the firm's European competitor in the mid-size saloon and estate segment gains the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost SCTi gasoline engine with an output of 203HP and a new version of the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel with 163HP, while the 115HP and 140HP variants of the same diesel have been improved.

Furthermore, Ford's Powershift six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission is fitted as standard with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost gasoline engine and optionally available for the 140HP and 163HP Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.

Together with this transmission, the new Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163HP delivers a combined fuel economy of 5.6 lt/100km, equal to 42 mpg US and 50.4 mpg UK.

The same 163HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel as well as the six-speed dual clutch transmission also make their way into the Kuga crossover.

With the 163HP diesel engine, the Kuga accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 9.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 195 km/h or 121mph while achieving a CO2 output of 159g/km in the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) models with manual transmission.

2011 Ford Focus on Video Plus Real-Life Photos from Detroit Show

We've already shared with you the initial details on Ford's European flavored 2011 Focus that was unwrapped at this week's Detroit automotive gathering, but now we've got three new videos as well as real-life pictures of both the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan variants that you can check out right after the jump. The all-new Focus will be almost identical in all markets and is set to go on sale on both sides of the pond in early 2011.

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