Mondeo Vignale
concept from last year? Thought it had been quietly forgotten about? Worry not aspirational PHer, the Vignale badge is back! On an S-Max.
Kids will definitely appreciate this
The premise behind Vignale is fairly simple, albeit cloaked in appropriately flowery PR blurb. Vignale Fords will be more luxurious than the base models, with more expensive materials and subtle styling tweaks. Vignale customers will deal only with a single dedicated salesman and visit ‘Vignale Lounges’ (yes really, and in regular Ford dealers) for servicing and sales. The car will be collected and delivered for servicing, of course. Ford coins it as a ‘unique upmarket product and ownership experience’ with the concept expressing ‘the premium design, craftsmanship and exclusive specification customers can expect from Ford Vignale'.
To make the plush S-Max a Vignale outside, there are 21-inch wheels with ‘fine detailing and high quality finish’ as well as ‘jewellery-like appliques and chrome mirror caps’. The grille is new as well and the paint is ‘Milano Grigio’. Wonder what Bermondsey Blue will look like?
Coming to a 'Vignale Lounge' near you soon
Given the S-Max is a car that’s well known as a durable family hack, carting family paraphernalia around in a fairly unpretentious way, it seems like an odd choice for subjecting to a glamorous overhaul. How useful extended quilted leather in an interior ‘taking inspiration in part from current menswear trends’ will be to families (or minicab passengers) remains to be seen. The overall effect is actually quite pleasant, it just seems a little out of place.
Nevertheless, Ford is planning a production version of the S-Max Vignale, to follow after the Mondeo. The latter is due sometime next year, presumably to be based on the new Mondeo now.