After developing a five-year test programme, in which the B-MAX was subject to 5,000 virtual collisions and 40 real-world crashes, Ford has now ensured that the B-MAX’s hinged front doors, sliding rear doors and integrated central pillars meet rigorous safety standards.
Ford wanted UK car buyers to have no doubts over its commitment to safety. This is why it subjected the B-MAX to a stringent series of tests to ensure the new B-MAX’s Easy Access Door System is “as safe as it is innovative”.
In addition to the above testing, a further 100 tests were taken in which the vehicle was mounted on a sled and fired into a barrier.
Ford spent up to three years solely developing the rear-door safety systems. This testing process included the construction of a bespoke rig system used to test the reinforced latches. As the car maker explained, the B-MAX doors are fitted with ultra-high strength steel brackets called crash catchers that lock the doors together if the vehicle is hit on its side.
“We went to great lengths to test them in the virtual and the physical word,” said Ford safety project manager Tom Overington.
“We performed virtual car-to-car crashes at a 30 degree angle into the front and rear doors to further validate the performance of the door structure. We also built a special rig to test the reinforced latch mechanism. The forces involved in these tests are massive and the doors performed exactly as expected.”
The tests concluded that the B-MAX is capable of withstanding a side impact force in excess of 165 kilonewtons, which is the same force of the combined weight of three elephants.
“We are targeting a maximum five-star safety rating when the vehicle is assessed by Euro NCAP later this year,” added Overington.
With these features, Ford aims to attract UK car buyers looking for the safest car. The B-MAX will be available from £12,995 and will arrive in UK dealerships by September.
Related used car searches
Search used Ford
