Ford will bring the S-MAX Concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show, with the study previewing the next generation S-MAX MPV, which the Blue Oval describes as a “sport activity vehicle.”

The new S-Max Concept adopts the latest Ford global design language and includes elements like the high mounted grille, swept-back headlights and “a unique treatment of the vehicle’s lower fascia that includes design elements that appear to float within the lower front aperture and above the spoiler.”

The typical S-MAX profile has been retained and further refined with the front bonnet flowing into the sharply raked windscreen, which in turns continues all the way to the roof to create a unique glass roof graphic. This hints to the spacious interior that offers seating configurations from four to seven passengers.

Other design cues include sculptured shoulders, distinctive headlights featuring Organic LEDs and a feature line running along the side of the vehicle. Moving on to the interior, the dashboard is much cleaner than on current Ford vehicles, with way less buttons and less protruding as well.

Ford says the S-Max Concept features high quality materials, including an ultra-soft leather wrap for the instrument panel, and leather and carbon fiber detailing for the sculptured seats. Equipment-wise, the study is fitted with Ford’s SYNC system with MyFord Touch, which delivers wireless internet access for passengers, plus a tablet docking station that allows second row occupants to seamlessly integrate their personal devices into the vehicle.

There’s also SYNC AppLink, which enables the driver to voice-control smart phone apps from an expanding list of service providers, including Spotify, Kaliki, Glympse and Aha. SYNC even includes Ford’s ECG Heart Rate Monitoring Seat that records the driver’s heart rate, offering the potential to alert remote medical experts in case of unusual activity or even trigger active safety systems in case of an emergency.

Powered by the all-new 1.5-liter EcoBoost petrol engine, the study also showcases interesting solutions for the interior, such as the Thin Seat Technology. Employed in the third row of seats, it enables the seats to be raised and lowered in a single action with minimum effort. The second row of seats allow for an easy access, with the center seat folding into the floor to maximize versatility.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

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