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The B-Max unveiled at Geneva won't get an invitation to Australia as Ford has said they have plans for the Ecosport instead.
The urban-focused B-Max comes with several innovative features, highlighted by the lack of a B-pillar to ease access in and out of the vehicle for rear-seat passengers. To compensate for the lack of the middle pillar, the front doors lock on to the floor pan and roof of the vehicle, while the rear sliding doors latch to the floor and the slider than extends along the rear panel.
With both doors open, there's an impressive 152cm hole amidships to help load and unload passengers. Those sliding rear doors also mean the vehicle can be parked close to other cars without the driver having to worry about space to open the doors.
Other innovations include the first European use of the Sync infotainment system and a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that pumps out around 90kW.
Despite the smart features, only the engine will make an appearance in Australia. Ford spokesman Neil McDonald confirms the Indian-built EcoSport will be the entry level SUV Down Under, though it will be powered by the same 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine.
"The B-Max is an interesting car but it's not something we're looking at for Australia," he says. "EcoSport is the car we've confirmed we're taking."
Ford Australia's Broadmeadows design studio helped on the EcoSport's styling, notably the Territory-esque three-bar grille. The EcoSport will sit below the compact Kuga due to launch later this month, the locally built Territory and a yet-to-launch SUV based on the Ford Ranger ute platform.
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