Ford S-Max Powershift
The S-Max is the sportier of the two large – for Europe, at least – Ford minivans built on the same architecture that also underpins the new Mondeo and, with certain differences, some Volvo models, too.
Along with its more spacious sibling, the Galaxy, the S-Max has been a highly successful product that has been on sale since 2006. At the Brussels show in February of this year, both received significant mid-life upgrades revolving around the debut of new-generation EcoBoost gasoline engines.
EcoBoost is the name given by Ford to a new worldwide family of much more efficient, direct-injection gasoline engines. All of them are downsized compared with their predecessor units, but turbocharged to provide better power, torque, and economy. The first of these EcoBoost units for Europe is the 2 liter SCTi in the S-Max and Galaxy, where it is fitted as standard with Ford’s Powershift dual clutch automatic transmission, also fine-tuned since its initial appearance in the Focus in 2008.
In both minivans, the SCTi/Powershift combination replaces the previous pairing of a 2.3 liter gasoline engine and a conventional automatic. The published data dramatically demonstrate the improvements achieved: engine power rises from 161 to 203 hp, acceleration to 100 km/h drops to 8.5 seconds, and top speed rises to 220 km/h. Yet, overall CO2 emissions are slashed by almost one-fifth to 189 grams per kilometer.
Powershift will also be available as an option on the lower-powered version of the two-liter EcoBoost, as well as on new diesel S-Maxes and Galaxys.
Minor styling changes distinguish both exterior and interior, but the model’s essential and attractive character remains as before. Suspension, handling, steering, and general driver-friendliness are much better than on most mainstream minivans. To that list must now be added the engine. The new EcoBoost unit is very smooth indeed, and much more refined than its predecessor under the S-Max hood.
As with the smaller Focus, Ford has employed the six-speed dual wet clutch transmission, sourced from its own JV with Getrag, as a straight substitute for a planetary automatic. No effort has been made to give it a sporty gloss, or to provide fancy extras such as paddle shifters or different programs beyond the bare minimum of sport and manual settings.
So, while the transmission works very well as a leave-it-alone automatic, it is not one which the driver can configure to his or her own requirements. As such, it will disappoint those who had hoped to imbue their minivan with at least a semblance of sporty response.
With the lever in D, it’s smooth, efficient, and straightforward. Slide the lever toward the driver for Sport and it will respond more promptly when called upon to accelerate, it will hold onto the lower gears longer, and it will begin downshifting when approaching a circuitous road or intersection. Sometimes, too, it will hold a low ratio for an annoying length of time, even on a very slight throttle opening.
Moving the center shift lever forwards from the S position puts the S-Max into
manual mode and triggers a downshift, while a pull to the rear is for an
upshift. This is the opposite of most other brands. The shifts are positive
enough, but the driver is soon reminded that this is not an override but a pure
manual mode – the gears don’t shift by themselves any more, and the only way to
restore automatic operation is to slide the lever
back to D.
The S-Max is not an overtly exciting car to drive, even with 203 hp aboard, nor is it intended to be. Yet, the new engine makes it much more refined and the Powershift transmission, even though it is strictly a first-generation DCT in its configuration, gives the combination the strong fuel economy that is important in a family minivan, especially when it must compete with well-specified diesels. But if Ford is looking for ways in which to further enhance this already good model in a later round of changes, the top priority should be paddles for gearshift operation on the steering wheel, along with greater scope for driver input into choosing the gearshift program.
| Ford S-Max SCTi Powershift | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0 liter four-cylinder, 16 valves |
| Induction | Direct-injection, turbo |
| Max Power | 203 hp at 5,500 rev/min |
| Peak Torque | 300 Nm from 1,750 to 4,500 rev/min |
| Transmission | Six-speed wet-clutch DCT |
| Maximum Speed | 220 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h Acceleration | 8.5 sec |
| Fuel Consumption | 8.12 lit/100 km (27.8 US mpg) |
| CO2 Emissions | 189 g/km |
| Price (UK) | £24,395 (approx $35,300) |
Story Filed: 7/7/2010
By Tony Lewin, managing editor DCTfacts.com