Remember the Ford B-Max?
Of course you do. Ford's small Fiesta-based minivan, previewed in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, is most recognizable for its innovative doors, and lack of a B-pillar.
Unfortunately, motorists in the U.S. won't get to enjoy the space and innovations, as Automotive News reports that the subcompact won't be sold here.
That'll be a disappointment for Ford fans wanting a downsized, yet still spacious economy car.
The B-Max sits on the Fiesta platform, and will share its engines. That includes the new 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder EcoBoost we previewed a few days back, which gets up to 49 mpg on the European fuel economy cycle.
The stand-out visual feature is the door arrangement. The front doors open like any other front doors, but the rear ones slide. When both sets are open, they reveal a wide expanse of space, as the B-Max lacks a B-pillar. This makes entry and egress particularly easy, despite the relatively small size.
Though it may not be any consolation to those who like the B-Max for its innovation, at least Ford's efficient 3-cylinder EcoBoost will still make it to U.S. shores.
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