Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater

[Ford_News]

Filed under: Minivan/Van (http://www.autoblog.com/minivans/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/)
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Ford (http://autoblog.com/ford/) unveiled today the S-Max Concept, which comes with a new, sleek look and loaded with innovative technology, such as a heart-rate monitoring seat. But if you're heart is set on a minivan sports activity vehicle (SAV) and you live in the States, don't wait for this one - it's a Europe-only product, and we don't expect that to change when the next-gen S-Max is released.

The styling follows Ford's global design language, looking a bit like an overgrown Focus (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus/) hatchback with the company's signature grille, wraparound headlamps, steeply raked windshield and curved roof line. Ford also implemented details to make the S-Max (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/s-max/) look longer and faster, such as a feature line on each side of the vehicle and muscular-looking fenders. The engine isn't Ford's most powerful, but the new 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine should be potent enough with turbocharging and other efficiency related technologies.

Ford says the new interior, which seats up to seven people, features high-quality materials and fine detailing, such as an "ultra-soft" leather wrap for the instrument panel and leather and carbon-fiber details on the seats. Ford's Sync (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync/) connectivity system with MyFord Touch makes the car a wireless hotspot, and there's a tablet docking station for second-row occupants.

But it's the health-related systems that have our attention. The heart-rate sensing seat records the driver's heart rate and has the potential to respond to medical emergencies via Sync. This can range from alerting medical experts to triggering active safety systems that can take over temporarily for an incapacitated driver. The car even has a glucose monitoring system that Ford claims can detect a sleeping child having a diabetic episode in the back seat.

Take a look at the press release below (http://www.mnfords.com/2013/08/28/ford-s-max-concept-preview/#continued) for a closer look into the sharply styled, tech-forward SAV.Continue reading Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/28/ford-s-max-concept-preview/)
Ford S-Max Concept previews new look, technology for Euro seven-seater (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/28/ford-s-max-concept-preview/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.mnfords.com/rss-term-of-use/).
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[ZephyrEFI]

Someone needs to explain this to me. Why is there so much more "room" for so many more models in other markets, but not the US? In Europe if you want a "people mover" on the small end of things, you can choose from a non-hybrid C-Max, Grand C-Max, B-Max, S-Max, Focus wagon, Mondeo 5-door or wagon, Transit Connect, the smaller Transit (can't remember its name), or Kuga. In the US, Ford just wants all those buyers to get an Escape. or maybe the weirdos can buy a Transit Connect, but as long as they keep selling the panel versions to flower shops they're happy. Why the "one size fits all" for your most important market Ford?