Ford S-Max heads upmarket

Ford is promising an even sportier drive and a more premium cabin for its new, second-generation S-Max, seen here for the first time ahead of its debut at next month’s Paris motor show.

Highlights of the new seven-seat MPV, famed for its involving drive in its first generation, include an all-new chassis, new engines, optional four-wheel drive and a more flexible interior. It will go on sale next summer, with prices starting at around £25,000.


Underpinning the new S-Max is a new platform, known as CD4 and shared  with the upcoming Mk4 Mondeo, Edge SUV and next year’s Galaxy replacement, alongside which the new S-Max has been engineered.Rolf Deges, Ford’s  chief program engineer for large cars, said the new S-Max “strengthens the strengths of the old car,fixes the weaknesses and adds new technology”.

He added: “The fun-to-drive nature is one of these key strengths, with the sharp steering, agile handling and predictable, linear responses.”The new S-Max retains broadly the same dimensions as the model it replaces, but there are no carry-over parts. The MacPherson strut front suspension has been redesigned and a new integral link rear suspension system has been added. A new ZF electric steering system also features, along with an optional fully variable ‘Advanced Front Steering’ set-up similar to BMW’s Servotronic.

The petrol engine range includes a new 158bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost unit, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and a 237bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost with a conventional automatic gearbox. A new 2.0-litre diesel unit with 118bhp, 148bhp or 178bhp is also offered. A six-speed manual is standard with this engine, while a six-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic is optional on the 148bhp and 178bhp versions.

A fully flexible all-wheel drive system, shared with the upcoming Mondeo and Edge, is also offered with the two most powerful diesel options. The styling of the new S-Max, which is still very  much a Europe-focused model, has been overseen by Ford of Europe’s design department. Exterior design director Stefan Lamm said customers “would see the new Ford family look, but also the resemblance to the original S-Max” in the new car.

The car is a bit lower and with a higher beltline,” Lamm added. “We’ve moved the A-pillars back for a more premium profile. It looks more muscular and dynamic, and there’s less glass to make it look less van-like.”

The front-end design sports the latest Ford family face, first previewed on 2011’s Evos coupé concept. Two character lines run down the sides of the car, and the rear is widened by pronounced shoulders and slim horizontal tail-lights.Top-spec Titanium models, which account for up to 60 per cent of S-Max sales, also get a rear diffuser with integrated rear tailpipes, and the option of up to 19in alloys.

An even plusher Vignale trim, previewed on Mondeo and S-Max concepts, is likely to arrive by the end of next year. Lamm said the focus has been on making the S-Max’s interior “more luxurious and sophisticated, with premium materials and simple, useful and easy-to-use technology”.

Switchgear has been considerably reduced, with many functions carried out by an 8in touchscreen that runs Ford’s SYNC 2 infotainment system. An electric parking brake is standard, freeing up cabin storage space.UK-spec S-Maxes will all have seven seats as standard. The three middle-row seats all fold flat individually and can be slid forwards and reclined to improve access to the two rear seats, which fold into the boot floor. Rear passengers also get the option of their own air-con system.

New technology and options offered include an autonomous braking function that can stop the car from speeds of 112mph, parking and lane keeping assist systems and a panoramic roof.