Ford S-Max

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Ford S-Max
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Europe
Production	June 2006 – April 2023[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Large MPV (M)
Body style	5-door MPV
Related	Ford Galaxy Ford Edge Ford Mondeo

The Ford S-Max (stylized as Ford S-MAX) is a mid-size MPV that was produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV (sports activity vehicle). Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on sale alongside the new generation Galaxy in June 2006.

The S-Max was intended to be as sporty as a saloon car, and spacious as an MPV. It drew inspiration from the seven-seater large MPV Galaxy, and compact MPV Ford C-Max. The S-Max received many positive reviews and awards, and was voted European Car of the Year 2007 on 13 November 2006. Ford had plans to sell the S-Max in Japan under the then subsidiary brand Mazda, but they are no longer viable since the latter's split.

The S-Max was discontinued in April 2023 alongside the Ford Galaxy, without any direct successor planned.

The S-Max was the first vehicle in Ford's lineup to feature their Kinetic Design styling. The Kinetic Design scheme includes angular headlights, twin trapezoidal grilles, and large wheel arches.

It comes with heated front and back windscreens, parking sensors, aux input and dual climate control as standard. One major selling point of the S-Max is its "Fold Flat System". This design allows the second and third-row seats to fold seamlessly into the floor, leaving extra storage space. Also, the S-Max's second row has 3 individual seats, all with ISO-FIX.

First generation
Ford S-Max (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	CD340
Production	June 2006 – 2014
Assembly	Belgium: Genk (GB&A) (2006–2014) China: Chongqing (Changan Ford) (2007–2009)[2] Russia: Yelabuga (Ford Sollers) (2012–2014)[3]
Designer	David Hilton
Body and chassis
Platform	Ford EUCD platform
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length	4,770 mm (187.8 in)
Width	1,885 mm (74.2 in)
Height	1,660 mm (65.4 in)
Curb weight	1,743 kg (3,843 lb)

For the English speaking markets there are three derivatives of the S-Max: Edge, Zetec, and the high-end Titanium. Ford has stated that around sixty percent of all S-Max buyers choose Titanium specification. Continental trim levels are Trend, Titanium and the top-of-the-line Titanium S.

In March 2008, a 2.2L 175 PS TDCi common rail diesel was added to Titanium series and delivers acceleration from 0-62 mph in 9.0 seconds. In September 2008, the popular 2.0 140 PS TDCi manual engine was offered with a CO₂ of 159 g/km. The S-Max Trend debuted in China in 2010. The Trend is basically a normal S-Max, but without the back row of seats. The idea is to make it more affordable, and to give more storage space to people who might want it.

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  Rear view
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  Interior

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  Facelift
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  Rear view

All S-Maxes use versions of the Duratorq or Duratec engines. The S-Max uses a five-speed or six-speed manual transmission, and a six-speed automatic option.

• This vehicle has also been converted to use an aftermarket conversion hybrid powertrain: Langford Performance Engineering 'Whisper' powertrain

New petrol engines for the 2010–2011 models:

• 1.6 STCi EcoBoost, 6-speed manual, 160 PS
• 2.0 STCi EcoBoost, Powershift, 203 PS

Powertrains available for the 2012 models:

• 1.6T 160 PS EcoBoost (Start/Stop), 6-speed manual
• 2.0 203 PS EcoBoost, PowerShift auto
• 2.0 240 PS EcoBoost, PowerShift auto
• 1.6 TDCi 115 PS (Start/Stop), 6-speed manual
• 2.0 TDCi 140 PS, 6-speed manual
• 2.0 TDCi 140 PS, PowerShift auto
• 2.0 TDCi 163 PS, 6-speed manual
• 2.0 TDCi 163 PS, PowerShift auto
• 2.2 TDCi 200 PS, 6-speed manual
• 2.2 TDCi 200 PS, Automatic

^[4]

The Ford S-Max incorporates no breakthrough safety features, but it has received a 5-star/36-point (Best in Class) rating from the Euro NCAP.

The S-Max's safety features include the Intelligent Protection System (IPS) which combines a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with restraint equipment and driver aids that help avoid an accident and features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact. It has many modern airbags, including a knee airbag and a thorax airbag.

S-Max's also have an advanced neck protection system, three point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners, load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a collapsible steering system and safety pedals. For handling it has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system.

The high performance version Ford S-Max was reviewed on Top Gear (Series 8, Episode 7) against the similar spec Vauxhall Zafira and the Mercedes B200. The S-Max was the most affordable, yet was described as having the best interior and exterior, and being the most comfortable. The presenters, James May and Richard Hammond, also considered it to be the most practical. Overall, they praised the car and declared it to be the best value for money out of the three.^[5]

Second generation
Overview
Model code	CD539
Production	2015 – April 2023
Assembly	Spain: Almussafes (Ford Valencia Plant)
Designer	Claudio Messale[6]
Body and chassis
Platform	Ford CD4 platform
Related	Ford Galaxy (third generation) Ford Edge (second generation) Lincoln MKZ (second generation) Lincoln Nautilus (first generation) Ford Mondeo (fourth generation)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.5 L EcoBoost I4 2.0 L EcoBoost I4 Petrol hybrid: 2.5 L Duratec iVCT Atkinson cycle I4 Diesel: 2.0 L Duratorq I4 (2015–2019) 2.0 L EcoBlue I4 turbo (2019–2023) 2.0 L EcoBlue I4 twin-turbo (2019–2023)
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed 6F automatic 8-speed automatic 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch transmission CVT (hybrid)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length	4,796–4,804 mm (188.8–189.1 in)
Width	1,916 mm (75.4 in)
Height	1,655–1,684 mm (65.2–66.3 in)
Curb weight	1,645–1,872 kg (3,627–4,127 lb)

The second generation was first presented at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

After its sibling, Ford Galaxy, was being presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on production in late 2015. It comes with the same engines as the Galaxy, Mondeo and Edge, which consist of one diesel (in four states of tune) and two petrols. The 1.5 SCTi Ecoboost has 160 hp, and the 2.0 SCTi has 240 hp; the latter can only be had with the Ford 6F automatic transmission. All the diesels average over 50mpg – the best is the 2.0 TDCi Duratorq 120, which produces 57mpg.

Both the 2.0 TDCi 150 and 180 versions come with either a six-speed manual or the Powershift; the latter can also be specced with AWD. The final model, the Bi-Turbo 2.0 TDCi 210 comes with the Powershift Gearbox only, and hits 0 to 62 in under nine seconds. The trim levels are similar to any Ford, and mirror those found in the Galaxy, Mondeo and Edge, including Zetec, Titanium and Titanium Sport; also an executive spec Vignale is available.

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  Rear view
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  S-Max Vignale
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  Interior

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  2019 facelift
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  Rear view
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  ST-Line
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  ST-Line; Rear view

In 2019 refreshed S-Max was revealed, and it is only available in various tunes of the 2.0L EcoBlue diesel engine, and all petrol engines are dropped.

In 2021, all engine options were dropped and replaced with a 2.5L petrol hybrid system outputting 190 PS (140 kW; 187 bhp).

Production of the S-Max ended in April 2023 due to sharply declining sales in the MPV segment, and Ford's shift towards crossovers, SUVs and electrified vehicles.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford S-Max.

• Official website