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S-Max TDCi Diesel - Diesel MPV's with Attitude

The new Ford S-Max TDCi Diesel Range cars sit in the shadows for nobody. They are sleek and sporty enough to keep up with many smaller cars on the market. Given the TDCi diesel engines in the range, the S-Max MPV's are not lacking the power they need to compete with other cars in their class either. They are sporty, stylish, running machines.

There are three TDCi diesels in the S-Max Range to choose. The 1.8 Duratorq surprisingly manages the hefty weight of the S-Max quite handily. Its 125bhp engine is enhanced by 320Nm of torque in normal driving to 340Nm of torque in passing mode, which Ford calls 'transient overboost.' It can go from 0 to 60 in 11.1 seconds. The same amount of torque is available in the140bhp 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, which can do the 0 to 60mph trip in 9.9 seconds. A 2.2-litre does the 0 to 60mph climb in 9.0 seconds.

Remembering that the Ford S-Max is a 7-seater, it is easy to realize that it is a large car. Given that fact, the fuel economy numbers are impressive. In the combined cycle, the 1.8-litre gets 45.8mpg, the 2.0-litre does well with 44.4mpg, and the 2.2-litre still manages admirably with 42.8mpg. With purchase prices at a reasonable rate, the Ford S-Max is a fairly economical choice. Prices are about £20,000 for a 1.8-litre Edge model to £24,000 for the top of the line 2.2-litre Titanium model.

The cabin space of the S-Max is very versatile for carrying riders and stowing gear. As long as you can fit your personal equipment into the up to 2,000-litres of available space, you have the advantage over a pickup of having it locked up tight inside the vehicle. Lashing points also keep your load from shifting during transit. Any number up to 7 riders can sit in their choice of the front, middle or far rear seats. The 32 different configurations of the Ford FoldFlatSystem allow numerous options for hauling and riding.

Of course a 7-seater MPV, often being used as a large family car, needs to be extra-well-equipped in the safety department. The Ford S-Max is just that. It has a whole list of technologically advanced safety features that are all brought together and controlled by the Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control System. This long list includes the Continuously Controlled Damping, Adaptive Cruise Control complete with Forward Alert and the Electronic Stability Program. There is also a Hill Assist program and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system to add to the safety on the road. Ford makes airbags standard throughout the cabin of the S-Max, with twin front, side and curtain airbags.

Yet, it is the sassy attitude that will appeal to MPV buyers who investigate the Ford S-Max TDCi Diesel Range. The engines give them a feisty kick and the body style adds a certain sporty style that is unusual in MPV cars currently on the market. There is no need to settle for a boring MPV just because you have a large number of people or a large amount of gear to haul. The Ford S-Max TDCi Diesel Range can handle it all, with an uncommon flair.

by Autoweb