Ford S-Max spotted in L.A.; headed to the States?
Alert Autoblog reader, Ku Kim, spotted an odd-looking van in Los Angeles traffic. With his always-handy mobile phone, he snapped a couple of pictures of Ford's new S-Max.
But wait, you say, that's not supposed to be here! You're right. The S-Max is Ford's middle-tier European minivan, uh sorry, MPV. (The C-Max is positioned below it, while the Galaxy is the big MPV above it in the heirarchy.)Could this lone, white S-Max prowling California streets be validation of our January import prediction? With its 5+2 seating, sportier feel and modern lines, the S-Max might be able to carve some sales out of the MPV segment here, but will have stiff competition from the increasingly more CUVs offered by almost every carmaker, including Ford.
Hopefully, this really is an indication of Ford's intention to bring its (at least perceived) superior European offerings across the pond.
Then again, it could be nothing more than a photo shoot in trendy L.A.
Thanks for the tip and photos, Ku Kim!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rwood299 3:22AM (6/09/2009)
I've read several comments both good and bad about the SMax. I am an American working in Bosnia. In Nov. '07 I was given a diesel powered auto trans SMax as my company car. As an American I first thought it was an ugly Eurobox. After driving it for a while I love it. It is a little slow off the line but it moves smartly once the turbo spools up and the revs climb. The interior room is amazingly generous. I drive it all over Bosnia and Croatia and I love it. My car at home in Calif. is a Chevy Tahoe so I love big roomy cars. In comparison the SMax is roomy inside but by American standards small on the outside. It is actually slightly smaller than my wife's Volvo XC-90. It is very smooth and stable on the high speed roads in Croatia and cruises at 150 KPH without a problem. I hope they make this car available in the USA because it will be my next car when they do.
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JayP 9:42AM (8/01/2007)
Mulally, I dare you to bring the S-Max to the states... with the manual transmission and the ST engine.
Double-Dog dare you.
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Eric B 10:06AM (8/01/2007)
Me too!
Show me cojones!!!
Viv 9:42AM (8/01/2007)
The sideshot looks very good but the back is a little too flat for my taste. Yet another good Ford vehicle we won't see.
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cowbell 9:43AM (8/01/2007)
This might be a stupid question, but does anyone know if manufactures are allowed to just bring over-seas market cars to the US? Don't they need to get tested before they can be driven on public roads? Or do they not have to do that because they're not selling the car? Or do they get a waiver from the government?
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Tim 10:36AM (8/01/2007)
I don't know the rules, but I can say that it is not uncommon for foreign auto makers to test their cars in the U.S.
I used to live in the greater Detroit area, and one day I was driving near my house when I spotted a Lancia with Manufacturer plates at a gas station. I flipped a u-turn and stopped to talk to the guy filling it up. Turns out that FIAT had a testing center around the corner, and they brought all of their cars to the U.S. for testing because we have such a wide variety of weather and road conditions within our borders. And, at that time, gasoline was far cheaper than Europe.
Seeing that S-max in L.A. does make me think that Ford is gauging public reaction to it, since L.A is such a car sensitive town, but I would get my hopes up yet.
tfr 10:51AM (8/01/2007)
I don't know how "just" they can do that (or do they need to apply for the permit on a per-vehicle basis), but yes, manufacturers are allowed to test their models that have not yet achieved NTSHA approval on public roads. There are probably mileage and other limitations that should keep them from just using non-NTSHA-approved vehicles as their daily drivers, though.
mike19951905 3:30PM (1/04/2008)
Of course not. Each sentance you wrote, is complity wrong my friend. This car has 5 stars in the european crash tests and believe its hard to get an A in this exam.
Secontly its best seller in Europe and moreover this car is not a boring mpv or just a usual family car. It's a playmachine. You can do whatever you want with that.
Now as about the goverment I have no idea. besides who gives a dime about goverment. Ford is an international company so can move a model from europe, to america in a blink of an eye. Just like Focus.
Seminole 9:52AM (8/01/2007)
Whoever is driving needs to learn to close their gas door. Nothing bugs me more than when I see people driving with it open.
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tfr 9:54AM (8/01/2007)
Galaxy isn't really the "bigger" brother to the S-Max - they're essentially the same vehicles. It's just that the Galaxy is marketed as the more luxurious sibling of the two, while the S-Max is the sportier one targeted for the younger audience.
Indrek
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Fabri91 9:58AM (8/01/2007)
You're right, but the Galaxy is a couple of inches longer and has 7 seats, not 5+2. They're less of a compromise as in the S-Max.
Yaroukh 11:20AM (8/01/2007)
you're not right, Galaxy actually IS the bigger one - it's longer and taller too
Steve 9:56AM (8/01/2007)
Ford has too many CUV/MPV’s now. Edge, Freestyle, Flex. The C-Max, S-Max, Mondeo all need to be brought to Mercury showrooms. Enough of this rebadged crap, either make Mercury a viable brand or get rid of it.
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Fabri91 9:56AM (8/01/2007)
The model pictured hast the 2.5T, because it has double exhaust.
Have already seen a couple of them, nice looking car, but it needs at least 17" rims...
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AlexP 10:07AM (8/01/2007)
Are these for sale yet? Because my guess would be that someone imported it.
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Ben 10:14AM (8/01/2007)
I am actually in the market for something like this. I was disappointed when the new Mazda MPV did not make a return appearance here in the States.
I'd like a turbo 4 cyl and a 5-6 speed auto, please.
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Bill 10:18AM (8/01/2007)
I live in the Washington DC area, and it is not unusual to see Euro vehicles with diplomatic plates. Just this weekend I saw a very sweet BMW 3-series wagon (330td?). I have also seen Toyota MPVs, Smarts, and the occasional Peugeot, plus many more that just slip by anonymously. Back when I had a 02 Protege5, I saw a similiar 323 wagon diesel, which got me excited because I love wagons/hatches, and diesels.
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AdmNoyce 10:27AM (8/01/2007)
Does anyone know what the small box on the Window behind the C-Pillar is?
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Landy 2:52AM (8/02/2007)
The little box is the GPS-antenna for the navigation system.
Hamud 10:27AM (8/01/2007)
Dear God please make it true, enlighten Ford's guys minds to bring this to NA... Ford could even bring this to Brazil to fight the Chevrolet Meriva, Zafira and the Citroen Picasso.
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