First pic: 2012 Ford B-Max

At last! The Ford Fusion's on its way to the dull-but-worthy history books! Huzzah!

It's being replaced by this - the slightly more exciting Fiesta-based B-Max, which is due to be unveiled at next month's Geneva motor show.

It joins its Vauxhall Meriva and Renault Scenic-shaped peers at the trough with some partially exciting features. True to the concept, which was shown at Geneva a year ago, there are no B-pillars and it has sliding doors like its larger brother, the Grand C-Max.

In fact, it's rather a lot like the C-Max. Slanted eyes and a trapezoidal grill are hung on the front, and it's got the same window kick-up on its rearward flanks. There's also a set of Ford's miniature Gallardo-esque rims. The whole ensemble follows Ford's "Kinetic" design language to a tee.

Under its stumpy muzzle you can chose between Ford's all-new 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine and its current range of Duratorq TDCI diesels.

Other details are scant, but Stephen Odell (chairman and CEO at Ford of Europe) promises "An exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars."

We'll give you more info when we get it.

This, a Meriva, a Scenic or a C3 Picasso, internet?