Ford S-Max EcoBoost – Turbocharged MPV Tested
A 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox are items that will not appear out of place in a competent hot hatch. Similarly, a century sprint of 8.5 seconds would be considered decent for any vehicle that proclaims to have a sporting intent. In the Ford S-Max, however, these figures are delivered in the bodyshell of an MPV.
Under its skin, the S-Max is essentially a Mondeo, and the pleasant surprise is that it drives like the Mondeo too. Engine, transmission, and suspension components are all identical, and that much was obvious when the S-Max demonstrates how it not only has the pace of a hot hatch on the straights, it also corners like one.
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| The S-Max is of D-segment size. A comparable rival would be the now-discontinued Honda Odyssey. |
Stepping inside, you will be greeted by a cabin that is evidently built from the same parts bin as the Mondeo. As a result, many of the same strength and weaknesses native to the Mondeo’s cabin are similarly applicable to the S-Max’s. Choice of materials convey a premium feel, and the omission of leather seats is of no detriment to its appeal. One notable nice touch of the cabin is a little fold-down convex mirror allows parents sitting up front to keep close tabs of naughty kids sitting at the back.
Some marks are lost in the aspect of ergonomics – the oddly placed power window switch panel on the driver’s door comes out as a prominent example. Ford’s usage of shiny bits on the dashboard are not excessive, but they are placed ‘strategically’ enough to glare your eyes in midday sunlight. The aircraft-inspired handbrake lever is also not a particularly outstanding example of ergonomics, but redeems itself by looking futuristically cool. Operating it feels like arming photon torpedoes.
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| 6-speed PowerShift transmission. Hand brake has futuristic look. |
Ford’s asking price of RM185,888 with insurance will seem steep at first, but close examinations of the specs sheet will justify that price. As mentioned earlier, there is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired to a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. The 1,999cc EcoBoost engine features the latest of Ford’s powertrain technologies namely direct injection and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT); it is good for 200hp and 300Nm.
In addition to its sophisticated powertrain and gearbox, your money also happens to buy you one of the best FWD platforms in the business – Ford’s EUCD platform that underpins not only the Mondeo, but also the Volvo S60 and XC60. The chassis is independently sprung all round, with the rear featuring Ford’s trademarked Control Blade multi-link suspension, which is noted not just for its impressive dynamics, but is also one of the most space-efficient multi-link setups in the market.
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| Tail lights are illuminated by LEDs. |
Equipment-wise, Ford gives you keyless entry and start, dual-zone auto air-conditioning, steering-mounted controls, auto cruise, nine airbags, stability programme, traction control, hill launch assist, ABS, EBD, and brake assist. You are also getting lots of lights – LED daytime running lights, bi-xenons with washers, cornering lamps, LED tail lamps, and side mirror-mounted indicators. These goodies will give you plenty to boast at the pubs, but what would really make you smile about the S-Max is the way it drives.
The generous spread of torque from the EcoBoost engine ensures that the S-Max is blessed with ample straight line pace. In fact, building up speed on highways was way too easy with 200 clicks achieved without breaking sweat – engine ticking 4,000 revs at top gear, with cabin atmosphere remaining calm and serene. Ford quotes a combined consumption figure of 8.1 litres per 100km, although the trip computer on our test car was returning figures closer to the 11.0 l/100km urban consumption most of the time instead.
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| Instrument panel with Ford Convers HMI. |
Dynamics on the curves are just as praiseworthy – this 1.6 tonne of an MPV corners with astonishing precision, poise and grip with no shortage of feedback from its electro-hydraulically assisted steering rack. Few passenger cars, let alone MPVs, inspire the same level of confidence like the S-Max when pushed. One thing to watch out, however, is a tendency to bump-steer, although to the S-Max’s credit, the chassis is also pretty quick to regain grip, if you don’t panic.
It is all well and good to have a car blessed with rapid pace, but it would be irresponsible not to build in mechanisms to keep that speed in check. In addition to the aforementioned safety aids, and also a sturdy chassis to give top class ride & handling, drivers of the S-Max will also have strong set of brakes to call upon. Over our 700km stint with the S-Max test car, the anchors generated plenty of dust on the wheels, but they proved effective under hard braking.
While it is true that most MPV buyers out in the market may not place hard edged driving dynamics on top of their list, it is pleasing to note that there are at least options to cater to such needs. The S-Max shows that practicality and fun need not be mutually exclusive.
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