Ford Announces Value Pricing For Sporty S-Max MPV

GENEVA - March 2, 2006: The price of Ford's new seven-seat sporty S-MAX people carrier will start at £16,767 (approx $30,600 USD) including a comprehensive array of safety and convenience equipment.

Unveiled at the Geneva Show on Tuesday for the European market, the S-MAX range goes on sale in the UK in June. Ford's acclaimed Shared Technologies strategy, which spreads the cost of new technology features over a variety of models and brands, has allowed the S-MAX to combine high quality interior and exterior values with aggressive pricing.

The S-MAX follows the successful launch of the Focus ST , which received an enthusiastic reception from customers, dealers and media, for its entry price of £17,495. The Focus ST has been described as "the best hot hatch on sale right now" by Autocar magazine.

Full details of the Ford S-MAX range

Engine/transmission/performance:

• 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged Duratec petrol engine producing 220PS and peak torque of 320Nm, mated to a Durashift six-speed manual transmission.

• 2.0-litre 16-valve Duratec HE petrol engine producing 145PS and peak torque of 190Nm, mated to the proven Durashift five-speed manual transmission.

• 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine producing 125PS and peak torque of 285Nm, mated to either five-speed or six-speed Durashift manual transmissions.

• 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine producing 140PS and peak torque of 320Nm, mated to a Durashift six-speed manual transmission.

Standard features include: - 6.5J x 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 tyres - four disc brakes, front ventilated, with ABS and EBD - driver's knee airbag - curtain airbags for front and rear seats - Ford FoldFlatSeat (FFS) seating system for rear two rows - stereo radio/CD system with eight speakers, steering wheel controls - heated, electrically adjustable door mirrors - Quickclear heated windscreen - heated washers - perimeter and volume-sensing anti-theft device - electric tailgate release - front foglights - driver's seat height adjustment - air-conditioning - electric front windows - trip computer

Zetec versions add: - 6.5J x 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 215/60 tyres - dual electronic automatic temperature control (DEATC) - illuminated driver and passenger's vanity mirrors - front and rear electric windows with one-touch and anti-trap feature - driver's seat power height adjustment and manual lumbar adjustment - sports front seats - seat back trays - leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob - reading lights

Titanium versions add: - stereo radio/CD system with dash-mounted six-disc CD autochanger - 7J x 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/50 tyres - dusk sensor - rain sensor - auto-dimming rear view mirror - driver and front passenger under-seat storage - front and rear carpet mats - cruise control - front and rear parking distance sensors - dark tinted privacy glass for rear and side windows