Unveiled before its 2012 Geneva Auto Show debut in March, the brand new Ford B-MAX mini-minivan (the term in Europe is mini MPV) showcases a couple new innovations from the American automaker.

Based on a tidy Ford Fiesta platform, the heart of the B-MAX is Ford’s clever 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine producing 123-hp while reaching an equally impressive 59 mpg. The tiniest powerplant of the Ecoboost family, the innovative direct-injected turbocharged engine is exclusive for the European market for now but will eventually make its way into the North American and Chinese markets as well. For those looking for something even more frugal than the Ecoboost, Ford also offers a diesel B-MAX fitted with a Durotorq TDCi engine.

To set the Ford B-MAX apart from the competition in its class, Ford approached the new mini-minivan with a focus on functional design. The B-MAX features wide-open access for drivers, passengers and luggage. Minimizing obstructions, the center B-pillars are integrated into the doors. Ford also promises to present supreme craftsmanship as well as high quality materials, flexible seating arrangements and class-leading cargo room.

Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, Stephen Odell, said, “The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars. It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want more from their small cars.”

Stay tuned for more information on the C-MAX when Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally performs the unveiling at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

GALLERY: Ford B-MAX

It definitely seemed there was more going on at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit; more buzz, more pizzaz, more enthusiasm. There were over 40 product unveilings, including some highly anticipated new models like Cadillac’s ATS, Acura’s NSX and Ford’s new Fusion, just to name a few.

Now that the show has closed for another year, those observations proved to be true. The 2012 show was the best attended since 2005, with some 770,932  people walking through the doors to ogle the auto industry’s latest wares, more than 92,000 on the first public day alone.

And although not a record, NAIAS chairman Bill Perkins was still pleased at the results. “A lot of people counted Detroit down and out,” he said “but [2012] has been a major year for our industry and show. Detroit is still the center of the North American auto industry, and the importance of this show draws people here from around the world.”

According to Perkins, NAIAS has an economic impact of some $400 million for the city of Detroit and South Eastern Michigan, more than the Super Bowl.

The higher attendance numbers have no doubt helped to add a bit of luster to the Detroit show’s status as one of the major events of its kind in the world, along with the likes of Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo and Bejing.

“NAIAS is positioned with [those shows] because of the number of worldwide product unveilings we host,” remarked Jim Seavitt, the show’s vice chairman. “We are traditionally very strong in both categories, which is why NAIAS remains an important part of the automakers’ global product launch strategies.”

It seems this is the first major recall of the year, and it comes from the Ford Motor Company. Ford is recalling 450,426 vehicles consisting of three different models for two separate reasons which they announced all together this morning.

205,896 model year 2004-2005 Ford Freestars and Mercury Montereys are being brought in by Ford because of a weak torque converter output shaft which is at risk of failing. If this shaft is compromised the driver of the vehicle will experience a sudden loss of all drive power with no warning. This recall is expected to begin the second calendar quarter of 2012.

Along with the Minivans, 244,530 Ford Escapes are being recalled thanks to a brake master cylinder cap which is at risk of leaking brake fluid. If the brake fluid leaks it would cover the ABS module wiring harness connector which could result in corrosion of the electrical connection, and eventually melting, smoke, and fire. This recall affects model year 2001-2002 Escapes that were built between October 22, 1999,through July 19, 2002, and is expected to begin on January,23rd 2012. However Ford has also said that there may be a parts shortage for this particular cap at dealers, so while owners will be contacted soon, they may have to leave their vehicles with Ford for an extended period of time before the problem can be remedied.

Although the Dodge Dart was Chrysler Group’s big news at this year’s North American International Auto Show, there was also another rather unique vehicle on display, the 700 C.

A concept minivan, little information was available on it at the show. All we could get from Chrysler was that the 700C is “a styling exercise, designed to gauge public reaction.”

When Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne toured the Windsor assembly plant which builds the current Dodge Grand Caravan and Town & Country models, he talked about “big plans for the future,” though declined to reveal much more.

With minivan sales still a staple part of the Chrysler’s business in North America, yet the segment for the most part suffering from a lack of new investment, perhaps the time has come to reinvent the concept of what a minivan should be.

And if the Chrysler 700C concept is any indication, that might just result in the most exciting people mover seen in more than a quarter of a century.

GALLERY: Chrysler 700C

Hyundai gave us a preview of its future product plans today with the debut of the Hexa Space MPV Concept at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Targeting young urban families in emerging markets, the Hexa Space MPV Concept can morph into several different roles depending on the owner’s needs.

In an attempt to reinvent how interior space is utilized, Hyundai designed eight hexagonally-shaped seats that go together like pieces of a puzzle. This allows the vehicle to maximize interior space while helping reduce overall width to the vehicle. Narrower cars are important in crowded urban areas such as the streets of India and even in Europe.

The center seat in each row can be folded completely flat while the second row can also fold flat to create a limousine-like seating. For additional cargo space, the back row can also fold flat. Those looking to only travel with two, can fold all eight seats for camping, or just seven for heavy loading. To allow for easy loading, Hyundai developed an innovative rear sliding door that opens out and back, giving the Hexa Space MPV a pillar-less entry way.

The Hexa Space is based on Hyundai’s compact ix20 and is powered by a 1.2L turbocharged GDI engine with a six-speed transmission. Hyundai also showed off a ton of new technology features in the interior with a touchscreen center console, push-button shifter and a cluster ionizer air purifier.

GALLERY: Hyundai Hexa Space MPV Concept

Mercedes-Benz drag cars are pretty rare. But how about a Mercedes-Benz minivan drag car?

Down in Australia, one enthusiast was determined to go big, go bold and be different, and to do so he got his hands on a Vito van and turn it into a complete drag car.

From there, it was gutted and changed into a full tube chassis race car packing plenty of carbon fiber body components and a 632-cubic inch big block Chevy powerplant. Combine that with a full drag setup suspension and wheelie bars, and you know this thing means business.

While most everyone would probably be pointing and laughing at this absurdity making its way to the Christmas tree, the ensuing massive burnout hints that this naturally aspirated (for now) Vito has more than meets the eye.

It’s already done some impressive 9-second passes and it could be entering the 8-second territory once the nitrous gets hooked up.

Check out a video of the Vito tearing up the drag strip below:

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Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), revealed documents concerning a safety investigation probe by federal regulators into a severe rear wheel rusting issue afflicting 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, driven in states where the roads are salted during the winter months.

So far, NHTSA’s Office of Defects has received approximately seven complaints concerning severe corrosion, a few in which rust has actually compromised the integrity of the anchor mounts that hold the third row seats in place, causing them to fail.

In response to the probe, Ford Motor Company has already said it will fully cooperate with the Feds on the issue, according to statement by company spokesman Dan Pierce. Approximately 63,000 Ford and Mercury minivans are believed to be affected by the problem.

Besides this, NHTSA is also currently investigating another potential van rust problem, concerning GM’s full-size Chevy Express, citing some 17,165 vans from the 2003 model year. In this case, the problem concerns corrosion of the fuel filler pipe on examples driven in snow belt states, a combination of salt, debris and moisture can cause the filler neck to rust and separate, creating a potential fire hazard.

As is the case with the Ford minivans, GM has said it is fully cooperating with NHTSA on the rusty fuel filler neck issue concerning the affected Chevy Express models.

[Source: Automotive News]

Out of all the current 2012 vehicles available, which would you think are the most suitable when it comes to winter driving?

Well, given that the snow, sleet, ice, hard rain and other glorious aspects of winter weather are now with us for the next few months, making motoring conditions rather dicey at times, that’s something the editors  at Kelley Blue Book.com decided to investigate.

When all was said and done, the results of their findings revealed a rather diverse range of vehicles. From cars to minivans, trucks and SUVs, all which shared a common trait, namely a user friendly all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system, designed to maintain traction under slippery conditions.

According to KBB.com executive editorial director Jack R. Nerad, the top 10 winter driving vehicles were machines that  ”help keep you on the road, whether that journey involves a mundane commute to work or a well-deserved weekend getaway to a favorite ski resort.”

Ranked on the list from 10th place to number one were the following vehicles:

10th Subaru Outback; 9th, Toyota Sienna AWD; 8th, Acura MDX; 7th, Ford F-150 4x 4; 6th, Honda CR-V AWD; 5th, Audi A6 Quattro 3.0T;  4th, Chevrolet Traverse AWD; 3rd, Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2nd, Subaru Impreza.

And the winner? Well perhaps not surprisingly, considering the accolades it’s been receiving since launch last year, was the 2012 Range Rover Evoque.

According to KBB.com, the Evoque not only represents “the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient model to ever grace the Land Rover lineup,” it’s also a highly capable machine both on and off the tarmac thanks to its “intelligent all-wheel drive system, Terrain Response feature and Tri-mode Adaptive Dynamics suspension designed to maintain optimal ride and handling characteristics under all driving situations.”

Click here to read Autoguide’s review of the Range Rover Evoque.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Toyota has issued a recall for 2010-2011 Corollas and 2011 Siennas sold through Southeast Toyota Distributors (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina) that were installed with non-Toyota aftermarket entertainment, navigation and Bluetooth systems on the A-pillar.

The dealer-installed aftermarket equipment may not have been installed properly with the retention clip for the A-pillar trim panel being damaged in the process. As a result, the A-pillar trim could potentially come loose during an accident and cause additional harm to passengers.

A total of 518 vehicles are affected by the recall, but Southeast Toyota estimates that only 25-percent of those vehicles have damaged A-pillars. Nonetheless Toyota would rather play it safe and will be notifying customers this month and the dealers will replace the defective clips free of charge.

Toyota is issuing out a recall of 210,000 Siennas from their 2011-2012 model year for a labeling issue. The recall is relatively minor, with Toyota equipping the Siennas with stickers displaying the incorrect vehicle capacity weight.

The recalled Siennas do not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” The NHTSA issued out a warning for Sienna owners since they can accidentally overload their minivan as a result of the incorrect decals. An overloaded van could ultimately cause tire failure, obviously increasing the likelihood of an accident.

The recall will be a quick fix, with Toyota planning to mail out corrected stickers and updated manuals to their customers.