New Ford S-Max first drive

Like it? Share it!

Thursday, 04 February 2010 17:33

The most significant thing about the new 2010 S-Max seven seat sporty carrier for up to seven people is not the many styling changes, better levels of equipment and classier looks or indeed the likely higher prices.

The motoring media went to rainy and windy south of Spain to drive for the first time Ford’s EcoBoost new 2.0-litre, 203PS, 300Nm from 1,750rpm turbocharged, high torque petrol engine. Smaller capacity 1.6-litre EcoBoost units will follow for the all-new C-Max and Focus ranges and an even smaller unit for other models will follow.

In addition we also had chance to try in the new S-Max the first application in a larger vehicle of Ford’s twin clutch PowerShift automatic transmission which comes as standard with the new petrol engine and optional on some new diesel units. The new model year Galaxy seven-seater MPV also receives the new engine and twin clutch system.

New 115PS and 163PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engines join the power unit line-ups for both the new model ranges. A 140PS unit will become available as well.

The revised S-Max and Galaxy models plus the new engines join the UK market at the end of April or early in May with prices to be announced. Currently the S-Max prices start from around £21,000 and top-out at over £26,000.

Before getting down to the ‘nitty-gritty’ about engines and transmissions, what is an S-Max? Not an MPV say Ford of Britain, even though it carries up to seven people ion three rows of seats. It is apparently an extension of the Mondeo family even though it shares the same platform with the seven seat Galaxy which is an MPV. S-Max is designed to look and feel sporty and fun to drive.

UK sales of the S-Max last year were 9,373 units, 5.4% of its segment putting it in 8th place and 50% of sales go to private buyers, mainly families. Fleet users are company car drivers and executive chauffeur operators. To date 94% of sales are for diesel models but the petrol engine share will increase to 10% because of the new high torque EcoBoost engine which owners should like because petrol as a fuel is cheaper than diesel, petrol engines cost less and so Benefit-in-Kind tax for company car users is less. The auto transmission share should increase from 16 to 25% because of the new PowerShift option.

This new technology is aimed at delivering great fuel economy, lower CO2 and the powerful response you would normally expect from a larger displacement power unit. By using a turbocharger with this direct injection petrol engine torque is a very useful 300Nm from 1,750rpm making it just as responsive and flexible to drive as a similar turbodiesel unit.

Compared with the outgoing 161PS 2.3-litre petrol unit with automatic automatic transmission, the CO2 of the new 2.0-litre SCTi EcoBoost engine has reduced by 19%cent to 189g/km, even though it has over 25 per cent more power. This translates into an official combined cycle fuel consumption of 34.8mpg.

In operation this unit is exceptionally responsive because of the turbo boost and being a petrol engine it is very quiet and vibration free. Less impressive on the mountain roads and narrow roads of the plains in the Jerez region of Spain was the real life fuel economy – just 24mpg. However the driving refinement was excellent and mated with the new PowerShift twin clutch automatic gearbox, which comes as standard, changes were seamless.

For those high mileage users who prefer diesel power the new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi, 163PS/340Nm unit mated with six-speed manual transmission, has a combined consumption of 49.5mpg and an average CO2 emission of 152g/km. The sub-160g/km CO2 engines create a fiscal advantage of around £50 a month for drivers in the 40% tax bracket.

As for the other changes for the new 2010 model year, the S-Max gains from Ford’s on-going plan to give all their models a more premium look and feel and that has been achieved. The full line-up of specifications will be announced closer to the Spring on-sale date but the line-up will include Titanium and Titanium X Sport versions and two individual interior styling packs which include full leather trim.

There is now a strongly sculptured bonnet, new front face with the new Ford trapezoidal grille, new lower front bumper with daytime running lights, chrome strips surrounding the glass areas, new style tailgate and LED tail lights. Inside the S-Max has Ford’s ‘fold flat’ seating system for the second and third rows of seats and high series models will get a panoramic sunroof, power blinds, LED interior lighting, premium sound system and all UIK models will have ESP electronic handling programme as standard.

Handling remains sharp, precise and agile although the change in damper and spring rates plus the lighter petrol engine, makes the ride feel softer, certainly comfortable, but the vehicle seems to now ‘float' rather than be ‘nailed’ to the road as before.

MILESTONES. 2010 Ford S-Max 2.0-litre SCTi EcoBoost. UK prices to be announced at launch in the Spring. Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four cylinder, DOHC, variable cam timing and direct injection petrol with turbocharger, 203PS, 300Nm from 1,750rpm, 6-speed double-clutch automatic. Performance : 137mph, 0-62mph 8.5 seconds, 34.8mpg (24mpg actual), CO2 189g/km, VED £215 but £425 for the new first year rate from April and then £235 for following years. Carrying capacity: 7-seats, 285-2,000-litres. For: Smarter new looks, seven-seat accommodation, higher quality specification, high torque responsive petrol engine, seamless shift twin clutch auto gearbox. Against: Likely to be relatively expensive, softer less controlled ride, quiet engine highlights wind noise intrusion. Miles Better News Agency www.girlracer.co.uk