Although a name is yet to be confirmed, early guesses have labeled it the ‘Cross-Max or X-Max,’ an appropriate title given the new SUV will join the popular S and C-Max line of cars as part of Ford’s non-sedan lineup. Ford’s new SUV will join a market that’s expected to be flooded with similar vehicles including the Volkswagen Tiguan and its Audi Q5 sibling as well as rumored models from Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Ford’s own subsidiary, Mazda, is also expected to launch its own mid-sized SUV that will most likely be carry the title CX-5 and will share its underpinnings with the Ford version.
Both cars will be based on Ford’s modular C1 platform with almost all development work being done in Europe. Test mules have been spotted undergoing cold weather testing across the continent and as these latest renderings reveal, the new SUV will likely pick up styling cues from the recently launched Mondeo sedan.
Powering the vehicle will most likely be Ford’s range of small capacity gasoline and diesel powerplants, namely those units shared with the Focus hatch and S-Max. Expect power figures to range between 130 and 220hp with all motors mated to a five-speed auto gearbox and partial AWD system. We’ll have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year to see how the final version turns out.
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