FORD is to lift the wraps on its new production-ready B-MAX multi-activity vehicle at next month's Geneva Motor Show - exactly 12 months after the concept was unveiled at the same venue.

New standards plus best-in-class technological features are promised by Ford for the compact model, which hits the streets in September.

The company has taken a fresh approach to door construction with this model, resulting in wide-open access for drivers, passengers and luggage, with the centre pillars integrated into the doors themselves.

The B-MAX is slightly longer than the Fiesta five-door and 32cm shorter than the C-MAX, so it is well placed to meet a growing demand for downsized cars better suited to congested urban conditions.

And sitting 11cm taller than Fiesta, the B-MAX also provides generous accommodation - drivers benefit from a higher ‘command' seating position, while rear seat legroom and headroom is also improved.

On the outside, the car's front-end features a new interpretation of Ford's signature trapezoidal grille, and there are strong headlamp graphics, a window line with its kick-up behind the rear doors and prominent wheel lips.

Better still, the three-dimensional surfacing of the body sides helps to avoid that blocky look so common in this class of vehicle.

Ford's new 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, with its combination of 125PS power output and 58.9mpg efficiency, will be available on the B-MAX, as will Duratorq TDCi diesels.