Ford, can you C Max?

Ford engineers are working hard on the next C-Max compact people carrier. Spied in Grossglockner, Austrian Alps, the newcomer should be on the European market by 2010.

So far, only 2 prototypes have been spied in the same location - 1 right-hand-drive model that has been widened and is sitting on 5-spoke alloy wheels and this left-hand-drive model which has been extended and widened. I noticed how the RHD mule registration was EU08 FFT and the LHD model was 1 letter off.

No information has been speculated yet but the current engine line-up is expected to be carried over, with the potential of the 2.5 litre petrol engine finding its way under the hood, and its platform will be used for the 2010 Ford Focus aswell.

The C-Max will rival popular mini-MPV's such as Citroen C4 Picasso, Renault Scenic, Volkswagen Golf Plus and upcoming rivals like the Kia Cee'd Plus, Toyota Verso and the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira. Like the current Focus and recently launched Kuga and Fiesta, it will be available in the U.S in 2011. CEO Alan Mulally and product development boss Derrick Kuzak have both hinted at bringing over Ford’s European lineup to the U.S and such a move also ties in with the company’s latest global engineering strategy.

Oddly enough, in the same location, a slightly revised Focus was spied undergoing alitiude and engine testing. The lower-section of the radiator grille was very similar to the 2006 Ford Iosis concept car.