Autoblog

The seven-seat Ford S-Max has been a huge hit in Europe since its introduction in 2007, and the Blue Oval is looking to keep up the momentum with a five passenger Ford S-Max, dubbed the Trend, for the growing China market. The S-Max will have an additional 185 liters of cargo capacity sans third row, and the eliminated seating will also make the crossover lighter. Power will come from Ford's corporate 2.3-liter engine mated to a six speed automatic transmission.

While it's cool that Ford is offering the S-Max in China, the hot-looking people hauler already has fold-flat seating, which means the move to ditch the third row is all about removing costs. Hey, at least the S-Max is available in China. In the States we have to make due with the Taurus X.

[Source: World Car Fans]

One of the intrepid editors at Motor Trend snapped off a few shots of a manufacturer plate-equipped Ford S-Max making the rounds in Los Angeles. Yes, it is the exact same S-Max that Autoblog reader Ku Kim snapped back in late July. So, what does this mean? Currently: nothing. But we do know that Ford CEO Alan Mulally is hot on bringing some Euro-only models here to the States as a way to spread development costs. And a few of us around the Autoblog offices have maintained for a while that the S-Max would be a prime candidate for a people-mover revival here at home. We've even been told that it's an entertain steer, something that the Freestar could never be accused of.

[Source: Motor Trend]

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!

Striking us as perhaps something out of Shaun of the Dead, where bizarre news reports keep filtering in through a world-wide crises, we have a somewhat garbled missive from abroad that seems to indicate that the British TV program, Fifth Gear, has awarded the Chevrolet Corvette its Fast Car of the Year award for 2006. A British TV show naming an American car as the best in its class? Must be something amiss. Perhaps the satellite feed is a bit wonky. The show's website doesn't have a confirmation of this award yet, so we can only wonder.

Actually, Fifth Gear handed out a few awards on Monday night, with the Audi TT taking home the slab of Portland Stone for Car of the Year. In the Small Car category, the award went to the new Mini Cooper. Best Family Car was the Ford S-Max. And the previously mentioned Corvette beat out the new 997 Turbo Porsche and Ferrari's latest GTB, the 599 Fiorano in the Fast Car segment.

By the way, the photo shows the actual award, which British sculptor Rob Bowers creates out of Portland Stone for the show. The annual award goes to the car the staff picks out of every vehicle they tested over the previous twelve months.

Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Fifth Gear]

Autocar just announced their Autocar Award winners, which "celebrate the biggest success stories of the past 12 months – and those who made them happen." One of the highlights of the evening was when it was announced that Autocar readers had selected the Ford S-Max as Car Of The Year. They weren't the first to select this MPV as a COTY and probably won't be the last. When Ford of Britain chairman Roelant de Waard collected the award from Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley, he explained the appeal of the S-Max thusly: "This is the first MPV where you can imagine the owner has a sex life."

Other notable winners included the Saab Aero X as Concept of the Year, Audi as Car Company of the year, and the Fiat Punto as Design of the year. The Aero X was recognized for "elegantly taking familiar Saab cues and showing how they can be incorporated into modern design." OK, we just think it looks like the Saab folks finally got serious about showing their fighter jet roots. And succeeded. Even if it isn't as functional as some would like it to be. Full list of winners after the jump.

[Source: Autocar]