2010 Ford C-Max Twittique – A quick design review
With predecessors like the Ford Fiesta, high expectations are reasonable for the Ford C-Max. There are traces of the Ford Fiesta DNA throughout this vehicle, but as a successful transfusion, I am not convinced.
For the record, I was not expecting it to look exactly the same, but I was hoping it would be equally as inspiring, which would be amazing for this type of vehicle! The strongest areas are at the front of the C-Max, however as you move to the rear of the car, its potential DRAMA is lost (possibly due to engineering constraints – or lack of inspiration). No doubt it is still a great looking MPV thanks to the great proportions of small overhangs and small DLO in comparison to its body side mass!
Cool proportions with a stronger front that fades away to the rear.
GLOBAL WATCH:
BY VIRTUE OF ITS LARGER INTERNAL VOLUME AND SIMILAR STYLING, THE C-MAX COULD EASILY OUTSELL THE KUGA. AND I REALLY DON’T THINK FORD WANTED THESE TWO VEHICLES TO BE STEALING MARKET SHARE FROM EACH OTHER. PERSONALLY, I’D PREFER AN ECO BOOSTED, AWD C-MAX MAKING ABOUT 220 BHP; AGILE, QUICK, REASONABLY BUTCH AND YEAR-ROUND CAPABLE. iT WOULD LOOK GREAT IN BLACK.
I guess with the Frankfurt car show coming up you are going to be very busy reviewing new production models for the US and Europe. I was wondering why you don’t give the interiors a once over. I find auto interior design and myth very interesting. Is Audi really the benchmark for interior design of not. What of BMWs switch to Ikea like minimalism. What’s going on over at Infiniti with those massive looking dashboards, Why does Toyota only chose plain vanilla for their interiors and when did Acura become obsessed with buttons.
I’d be curious to see an evaluation from a professional perspective
Hey Bill,
I have thought about discussing interiors, but never thought that people would be as interested as the exteriors. I have to admit, the main area of experience that I have is in the exterior design, but I will give the interiors a try.
In regards to benchmarking, Audi’s can be used for comparison, for actual quality or perceived quality – but perhaps it depends more on the possible aspirational elements that the customer has, that decides what benchmark vehicle is chosen.
Toyota’s focus on interiors (generally speaking) has always been aimed at production adaptation (to my knowledge) – This way they can very easily adapt LH-Drive and RH-Drive vehicles, and cheaply too. I guess when there is a ‘vanilla’ like interior, there are less chances that you will offend anyone, this would be important especially for the large demographic they target their vehicles at.
Thanks for your highly intriguing questions! Stay tuned for that interior discussion – I would love to hear your comments on specific interior designs!