The new Ford S-MAX has achieved a class-leading five-star rating under the Euro NCAP crash test protocol. Together with the latest Focus, Ford now offers two vehicles that achieved a maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP. With two stars and 13 points, Ford S-MAX also achieved a competitive result for pedestrian protection
"Through our comprehensive safety approach, we are continually improving the active and passive safety of our vehicles," Gisbert Gäb, manager Vehicle Safety, Ford of Europe, said.
"With the new S-MAX, 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. This five-star performance in the Euro NCAP tests clearly underlines our no-compromise strategy to safety."
Ford's IPS is a holistic approach to safety, combining a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with state-of-the-art restraint equipment and driver aids that help avoid an accident, plus features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact.
Ford S-MAX safety includes the latest-technology front airbags and a new driver's knee airbag as well as side-mounted thorax airbags for the front seats plus first- and second-row window curtain airbags.
S-MAX also features a three-anchor ISOFIX system for the outer seats of the second row and Ford 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 on the all-new Ford S-MAX. Combined with three-point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners and load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a horizontal stroking steering system and safety pedals, these features provide the occupants with a highly comprehensive safety system.
In terms of active safety, a number of significant new technologies are targeted at providing new levels of control and accident avoidance for the S-MAX. In addition to standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) there is an optional enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
Ford also offers a host of new driver technologies that significantly help improve safety. All-new driver support systems - such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA), Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB) and a new active suspension system with continuously controlled damping - are all available on the Ford S-MAX.
The new Ford S-MAX was fully developed in-house at Ford and is built exclusively at Ford's Genk plant in Belgium. Production of the S-MAX, together with the new Ford Galaxy, began last April.
Three months after the S-MAX went on sale in selected markets across Europe, Ford delivered nearly 9,000 of the all-new people movers - and received more than 30,000 orders for the vehicle. Over half of those buying an S-MAX are new to the Ford Blue Oval, according to market research.
"We are pleased with the response to the new Ford S-MAX from customers and the media," Joe Bakaj, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe, said. "We are also very proud of the vehicle's safety performance and the class-leading Euro NCAP ratings.
"It shows that we are fully committed to improve the safety of our cars continually."