A MISERABLE wet, windy and misty autumn day in the UK is hardly the best time to test a new model. Or is it?

The fact much of the UK's weather can batter Britain in just 24 hours is a good test for any new car which it is hoped will sell in big numbers.

Such was the case with the first UK specified Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX models which we  tested as first deliveries begin to dealerships.

The all-new C-MAX five-seater and seven-seater Grand C-MAX will be sold in just Zetec or Titanium trim levels, starting at £16,745 and £18,745 respectively.

Ford has learned from the launch of the original C-MAX seven years ago when it came out with just five seats that buyers want the option of a seven seat version for the occasional extra people we all seem to acquire on our travels.

With the market downsizing the indications are that two-thirds of buyers want seven-seat flexibililty, hence the bigger Grand C-MAX.

What's more it comes with standard twin sliding rear doors for easier access into the rearmost pair of seats compared to conventional rear doors on the smaller capacity model now known as the new C-MAX.

Research by Ford suggests the most popular version will be the Grand in Zetec trim with the 115ps 1.6 TDCi diesel at £19,745, which is £750 less than the outgoing equivalent.

Think of the five-seat C-MAX as a super-hatchback and the Grand C-MAX as a medium-sized MPV sitting alongside their stablemate big Galaxy MPV and sporty S-MAX.

Standard on all Zetec models are alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather wheelcover, sophisticated alarm and Bluetooth entertainment/telephone connection, USB plug and voice recognition while the Grand C-MAX also gets child-proof locks on the sliding doors and rear parking sensors.

Titanium spec adds auto wipers, self-dimming interior mirror and auto-lights, electronic temperature control, hill launch assist, cruise control and tyre deflation warning, among other features.

Initially the new models will be sold with 105 and 125 Duratec 1.6 petrol or 115ps 1.6 and 140ps 2.0 Duratorq diesels with a Powershift auto on the most powerful.

Coming soon will be the all new 150ps 1.6 EcoBoost petrol which will take the full range to 17 models topping out at £23,245.

The EcoBoost will cost from £19,745 in the top versions only and its most expensive will be the Grand C-MAX fitted with it at £20,995.

Having driven both models in September on fine autumn days in France, I was looking forward to "real world" conditions in the UK.

Abroad I could push the cars hard on dry, wide and sweeping roads to evaluate their handling, but in the UK I knew it would be a more challenging test of their ride comfort and safety.

Puddle strewn roads with varying degrees of grip, loosely sprinkled with leaves still falling in blustery conditions, the new Ford models behaved impeccably.

Handling was very safe and sure-footed, the steering easy and accurate, the brakes progressive and powerful.

I liked the commanding driving position, the view to front and sides was clear and the wipers and lights did a good job in country lanes.

I tried the 115ps diesel with six speed box and five-speed 105ps petrol and found the diesel a better all round performer if you have a heavier load.

The petrol engine does pull it along reasonably well but not as easily as the highly flexible diesel. Noise levels were very low in both.

Ford believes the best seller will be the 115ps 1.6 Duratorq diesel, particularly among fleet buyers who want to shave pennies off their running costs and tax bills, but the spiritual success just might lie with the EcoBoost, which is unlikely to be in showrooms before the New Year.