Ford S-MAX Scooped In Los Angeles!

Motortrend’s senior editor, Ed Loh, scooped a Ford S-MAX this morning on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, Ford’s “European Car Of The Year” winner (click here) was equipped with Michigan manufacturer plates, so, as Motortrends’ Kirill Ougarov rightfully points out in his article, this aint no foreign diplomat car. Could it be that Ford’s looking into bringing the high-acclaimed Euro MPV to the States? Up until now and despite Ford CEO Alan Mullaly’s interest in European Fords, the American carmaker has denied any such rumours. On our behalf, we’d really like to see Ford offering the S-MAX to U.S. consumers. We’ve had the chance to drive all versions and it’s one hell of an MPV; not only does it look good but it’s spacious and a treat to drive.

Via: Motortrend

Loder1899 Presents Customized 270Hp Ford S-MAX At Oktoberfest

The Oktoberfest is a two-week festival full of Bavarian beer that takes place during late September and early October in Munich, Germany, with some six million people attending every year. As every festival that respects itself (…), Oktoberfest has its own Playmate. The '07 Oktoberfest playmate was Munich´s Anna Scharl. While we wouldn’t mind taking the green eyed brunette for a swift test ride (in the car, as a companion of course…), we blog about cars so time to explain the connection between the Loder1899's Ford S-MAX and Anna Scharl. The tuned S-MAX was presented at Oktoberfest and it served as a chauffeur vehicle to the 22-year-old’s photo shooting in the Bavarian Alps. -Continued after the jump

Now that we’ve made that clear, let us concentrate on Loder1899’s proposition. The tuning company has equipped Ford’s sporty 7-seater MPV with a custom made, carbon-fiber bodykit. The carbon fiber parts include spoilers, side skirts, front wings, side wings and side gills. Additionally, Loder1899 has developed a paintable material (FGRP: fiberglass reinforced plastics) that the company says “joins and blends in flawlessly with the S-Max’s bodywork”. Loder1899 also offers two distinctive wheel designs, the classic “Jacky” in 18 to 20 inch with stainless steel, silver, black or white coloured applications and the alloy wheel “Sins”. A tyre/wheel set with „Sins“-wheels in 18 inch starts from €475 or $633.

In terms of power, Loder1899 also maximizes the output of the S-Max 1.8 TDCi & 2.0 TDCi diesel engines from 140 hp to 165 hp and from 125 hp to 155 hp respectively. In combination with Loder1899's handcrafted 2x100mm exhaust systems there is an increase in engine power from 220 hp to 270 hp for the 2.5 litre turbo engine. Optionally, Loder1899 also offers a 35mm suspension system.

2007 Car of the Year: Ford S-Max grabs the title

Ford’s S-Max managed to grab the first place in the COTY awards this year with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Ford should feel proud for another reason too as the S-Max is only the second MPV (after the Renault Scenic in 1996) in the contest’s 44-year history to win the award.

Having seen and driven all (with the exception of Citroen’s C4 Picasso) I agree 100% with the S-Max’s first place as it’s a truly driver orientated MPV packed with style and practicality. But, I totally disagree with the Opel Corsa’s second place. I can’t understand what they found in it to give it 233 points (!). Stylish yes, but that’s about the only attribute I can find in it in comparison with the other cars in the B-Segment category. What so new in the Corsa? In what way is it better than the Renault Clio for example?

I also disagree with the 5th placing of the Civic (5door Euro version) that managed to gather a mere 148 points. Its spacious interior is dressed in an outer-space design (in and out) and it has powerful but economical engines. In other words it brings a breeze of fresh air in a conventional, not to say boring category without loosing any of the assets that come with a C-Segment hatch.

• 1. Ford S-Max - 235
• 2. Opel Corsa - 233
• 3. Citroen Picasso - 222
• 4. Skoda Roomster - 189
• 5. Honda Civic - 148
• 6. Peugeot 207 - 144
• 7. Volvo C30 - 141
• 8. Fiat Grande Punto - 138

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