FORD S-MAX Awarded Top Euro NCAP Safety Rating

Ford's new sporty S-MAX has achieved a class-leading five star rating under the Euro NCAP crash test protocol.

Together with Focus, Ford now offers two vehicles that achieved a maximum rating in Euro NCAP. With two stars and 13 points, Ford S-MAX also achieved a competitive result for pedestrian protection.

"Through our comprehensive safety approach we are continually improving the active and passive safety of our vehicles," said Gisbert Gaeb, manager vehicle safety, Ford of Europe. "With the new S-MAX, we have further enhanced our Intelligent Protection System (IPS) by introducing a driver's knee airbag in combination with a sophisticated collapsible steering column and an ultra stiff body structure. This five-star performance in the Euro NCAP tests clearly underlines our no-compromise strategy to safety."

Ford's Intelligent Protection System (IPS) is a holistic approach towards safety. It combines a body structure optimised for strength and crashworthiness with state-of-the-art restraint equipment, driver aids that help avoid an accident and features that lessen the likelihood of injuries in an impact.

Ford S-MAX safety systems include the latest-technology front air bags and a new driver's knee air bag as well as side-mounted thorax air bags for the front seats plus first- and second-row window curtain air bags. S-MAX also features a three-anchor ISOFIX system for the outer seats of the second row and Ford dealers offer special seats for children of all sizes and ages, which in combination with the ISOFIX system helped secure a four-star child protection rating.

An advanced neck injury protection system is standard on the all-new Ford S-MAX. Together with three-point seat belts, optimised pre-tensioners and load limiters, anti-submarining seat subframes, a collapsible steering system and safety pedals, this adds up to a highly comprehensive set of passive safety features.

In terms of active safety, a number of significant new technologies are targeted at providing new levels of control and accident avoidance for S-MAX. In addition to standard Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and an optional enhanced Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system.

Ford also offers a host of new driver technologies that significantly help improve safety. All-new driver support systems, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA), Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB) and a new active suspension system - with continuously controlled damping - are all available on the Ford S-MAX.

The new Ford S-MAX was fully developed in-house at Ford and is built exclusively at Ford's Genk plant in Belgium. Production of the S-MAX, together with the new Ford Galaxy, began in April 2006.

Three months after the S-MAX went on sale in Europe, Ford has delivered nearly 9,000 of the all-new people movers - and received more than 30,000 orders. Over half of those buying an S-MAX are new to the Ford Blue Oval, according to market research.

"We are delighted with the response to the new Ford S-MAX from customers and the media," said Joe Bakaj, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe. "We are also very proud of the vehicle's safety performance and the class-leading Euro NCAP ratings. It shows that we are fully committed to continually improve the safety of our cars."