2015 Ford S-Max adds all-wheel drive, adaptive steering

[Haltech]

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Ford, Diesel



The Blue Oval's 'One Ford' mantra has seen rapid commonization of the automaker's products across markets, but North America still has to look from afar at most of the company's Max-branded people movers, including this new S-Max. That's a bit of a shame - we like the space efficiency and above-average driving dynamics of the C-Max models we do get, but seeing this updated seven-seat small minivan makes us want the One Ford initiative to extend even further.

The new model's changes include an updated powertrain range including a 1.5-liter EcoBoost four with 158 horsepower, and a larger, 237-horsepower, 2.0-liter model, along with a pair of revised lower-emissions 2.0-liter diesels. The big news, however, is the advent of available all-wheel drive, something that hasn't been offered since the S-Max first went on sale back in 2006.

On the technology front, the S-Max is the first European model to receive Ford Adaptive Steering, a variable-ratio technology we recently sampled in a prototype Fusion that is expected to go into production on the next-generation Edge. The S-Max also receives a new aluminum-intensive integral link rear suspension, packaged to continue to fit up to 32 different seating combinations. Safety equipment is always a prime concern in kinschleppers like the S-Max, and to that end, this new model receives pre-collision assist technology and LED headlamps.

At first blush, there's a lot to like about the S-Max - the updated styling featuring Ford's rapidly spreading new front graphic that we've already seen on the Fiesta and Focus, the continued tidy dimensions and now more foul-weather facility that would seem to make it an interesting, space-efficient alternative to the global crossover onslaught.

Having said all that, we don't see the S-Max making it to North American showrooms any time soon - especially given the C-Max's soft sales - but that won't stop us from admiring it from afar.Continue reading 2015 Ford S-Max adds all-wheel drive, adaptive steering

2015 Ford S-Max adds all-wheel drive, adaptive steering originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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