Ford Europe’s new S-Max MPV/minivan, acclaimed by press for its car-like handling and sporty performance, has achieved a class-leading five star rating under the Euro NCAP crash test.
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It joins the Focus as the second European-designed Ford to score the maximum five star rating in Euro NCAP. With two stars and 13 points, the MPV also achieved a ‘competitive’ result for pedestrian protection.
Gisbert Gäb, the automaker’s manager of vehicle safety, said: “We have further enhanced our intelligent protection system (IPS) by introducing a driver’s knee airbag in combination with the advanced horizontal stroking steering column and an ultra stiff body structure.”
IPS combines a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with restraint equipment and driver aids that help avoid an accident plus features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact.
The S-Max also has the latest-technology front air bags, side-mounted thorax air bags for the front seats and window curtain air bags.
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By GlobalDataIt also features a three-anchor Isofix system for the outer seats of the second row and dealers offer special seats for children of all sizes and ages, which in combination with the Isofix system made a four star child protection rating possible.
An advanced neck injury protection system is also standard. Combined with three point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners and load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a horizontal stroking steering system and safety pedals, such features provide the occupants with a highly comprehensive safety system.
Active safety items include standard anti-lock braking (manadatory in Europe nowadays) with electronic brake force distribution and an optional enhanced electronic stability programme system.
Adaptive cruise control with forward alert, collision mitigation by braking and a new active suspension system with continuously controlled damping are also optional.
The S-Max was developed in-house at Ford and is built at Genk in Belgium. Production began last April.
At launch, analysts told just-auto the S-Max was an interesting move into a new, versatile-vehicle niche that competitors would watch closely and might win back those who once bought traditional D-segment vehicles from the volume automakers.
It seems to be doing just that. Three months after the S-Max went on sale in only some markets across Europe, Ford has delivered nearly 9,000 and received more than 30,000 orders. Over half of buyers are new to the brand, according to market research.
In the UK alone, 1,320 were sold in June and July while the same number placed orders.
It is interesting to note that the top-spec Titanium model is most popular in the UK, accounting for more than half of orders.
