Ford S-Max: sleek people-mover concept revealed

The Ford S-Max concept has been revealed ahead of its formal unveiling at next month�??s Frankfurt motor show.

The concept previews the replacement for Ford�??s current S-Max seven-seater, a seven-year-old model that has been highly successful in European markets.

The S-Max concept �?" a �??sport activity vehicle�?? in Ford-speak �?" applies the car maker�??s latest design themes to a family-friendly shape. The concept features the brand�??s Aston Martin-style grille, along with swept back headlights, bonnet strakes and a rakish, athletic profile.

Ford says the S-Max concept�??s character line running rearward from behind the front wheels �??delivers an impression of length and speed�?�.

Inside, the Ford S-Max presents an interior that looks similarly production ready, and borrows cues from the latest Mondeo and US-market� Taurus. Even the extra-large windshield, which Ford says contributes to an airy environment, is viable for production.

The S-Max concept runs Ford�??s latest Sync and MyFord Touch infotainment systems, offering wireless internet, voice control and smartphone synchronisation. Perhaps more interesting is Sync�??s heart-rate and glucose-level monitor, which stores data about driver and passenger health, ready to be sent to medical experts if any irregularities are detected.

The concept is also able to �??talk�?? to other cars, so the S-Max will know about any obstacles well before the driver and provide them with useful alerts.

Other technologies include a pedestrian collision prevention system, and active park assist, the latter already available on Ford production models and capable of autonomously steering the car into a parking space. The car�??s main infotainment screen also features a dual-view function, allowing the driver and passenger to see different images simultaneously on the same screen.

Powering the Ford S-Max concept is a new 1.5-litre turbocharged �??EcoBoost�?? petrol engine �?" the same powerplant that will feature in the new� Mondeo� that is coming to Australian shores� in roughly 12 months�?? time.

Ford Australia has announced no plans to offer the next-generation S-Max in our market at this stage, though the people-mover is a chance to be one of the 11 global models the company plans to sell locally by 2017.