FORD will be turning up the heat in the compact MPV market with a new C-Max available for the first time in five and seven seat configurations.

Priced from £16,745 the new model will be on sale in October and will mark the debut of a 1.6-litre version of Ford's EcoBoost engine.

The seven seat Grand C-Max will cost from £18,745 with both models available in either Zetec or Titanium trim.

The line up will top out at £23,345 for the seven seat Grand C-Max Titanium auto powered by a two-litre diesel engine.

Taking on the likes of the Citroen C4 Picasso, the Renault Scenic and VW's Touran, Ford's pricing is highly competitive - undercutting all but the basic Scenic.

Standard equipment on all models includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather steering wheel, a digital radio/CD with USB connectivity, voice control and Bluetooth. 

The Grand C-Max features sliding rear doors fitted with child-proof locks. It also comes with rear parking sensors and power folding mirrors.

In the higher grade Titanium trim extra equipment includes automatic front wipers and headlamps, dual electronic automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, hill launch assist, keyless start, cruise control with speed limiter, a Sony audio system and tyre deflation detection system.

Three petrol engines and two diesels will be available in the new C-Max with the most eco-friendly being a 1.6-litre diesel developing 115bhp with CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

The new EcoBoost 1.6 engine uses a turbo charger to develop 150bhp with emissions of 154g/km in the five seater and 159 in the Grand C-Max.

EcoBoost engines, which are designed to deliver petrol-like performance with diesel-like economy, were first introduced by Ford as two-litre units in the larger S-Max and Galaxy people movers earlier in the year.

Ford is expected to announce exact performance details for the C-Max in the next few weeks.