New S-Max raises Ford’s quality game

Ford has revealed the second generation S-Max ahead of the car's debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Based on the same new platform as the new Mondeo and the next-generation Galaxy, Ford is promising that the new model will stretch the current S-Max's handling envelope ever further. The S-Max is generally regarded as the only current large MPV that's actually any fun to drive. As with the new Mondeo, it will feature a new four-wheel-drive variant.

Ford says that the seven-seat cabin is going to be much more versatile than that of the current car, but it also seems as if Ford is taking some pointers from its former subsidiary, Volvo.

The close-to-button-free cabin, with its large central touch screen, seems to owe a small debt to the clutter-less cabin of the recently-revealed new XC90. As well as Ford's latest SYNC2 infotainment system, which can allegedly understand conversational-style voice instructions, the main instrument panel is now also entirely digital and an electric parking brake is now standard. Rear seat passengers get a seperate air conditioning systm and there will be an autonomous braking system - applying the brakes even without driver input when the on-board radar calculates a crash is inevitable - that works at speeds of up to 190km/h.

Stefan Lamm, Ford’s director of interior design, says customers “would see the new Ford family look, but also the resemblance to the original S-Max.

“The car is a bit lower and with a higher beltline. We’ve moved the A-pillars back for a more premium and sporty profile, without impacting on the flexibility customers told us to keep. It looks more muscular and dynamic, and there’s less glass than on the current car to help make it look more upmarket and less van-like.”