Wednesday 17th October 2007
Ford S-Max Titanium
PH Long Term - 7,000 miles in and several surprises
Fast, fun, MPV. Not words you would expect to see in the same sentence, but our long-term Ford S-Max is putting a big smile on our faces. It shares the engine from the Focus ST - all 217bhp of it - and takes everyone by surprise (especially at the lights), not least because of the long first gear which will see 30mph before it bounces on the limiter. We chose the S-Max more for lugging than hooning, but this is one genuine stealth bus.
On delivery, the car had the Titanium X pack fitted, which included 18in alloy wheels, adaptive headlights and panoramic roof. Though the wheels looked good, we felt we needed a mild PH makeover to make sure it looked right in the car park.
The bumblebee look
So, back to Ford for the addition of the concept kit with exclusive 'PH yellow' chin. This upgrade, which costs £3100 plus fitting, adds side skirts, rear wing, concept grille and massive 20in alloys, filling the arches well if messing somewhat with the steering. Crossing the Croydon tram link last week I was slightly unnerved as they veered left and up the line.
Of course, there is a downside to all this performance. You don't order a petrol-engined MPV that can hit 60mph in under 8sec without suffering the consequences and after 7000 miles of spirited driving we are looking at an average of 21mpg; 1260 litres used and £1197 spent. Picking myself back up off the floor after doing the maths, that works out as 17 of my English pence per mile.
Still room for a cupboard...
The S-Max was intended to carry PH's stuff around the country and in this regard the car is amazingly capable. You can fold the rear seats flat to create a nice bed, or pop them all up to carry the extended family. Our fast Ford has carried everything, from the whole PH Shop, the contents of Garlick's house and a cargo of seven to Le Mans. It's even towed the race car.
A quick scan of the Autocar back pages reveals that the 2.5 is one of the top three most powerful Fords and, as something we thought would just be the PH workhorse, we've found ourselves fighting over the keys. Move over Focus ST, I can hoon just as quick - between petrol stations - and then go to sleep in the back when it all tires me out!
 It tows well too |
 S-Max goes camping |
 18" wheels before.... |
 ...20" after PH meddling! |
 Rear of the year? |
 Hmmm.. downforce? |
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C5L
Original Poster
312 posts
76 months
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that is stealth ! ! certainly very "daddy cool" ! LOL
looks awesome !
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kambites
32,864 posts
90 months
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Those wheels are hideous.
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baSkey
14,157 posts
95 months
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so evo had 20"s to their focus, they were mocked and now you've followed suit..!
grumble grumble i am not 'feeling' this full on pimping thing! 19"s have to bethe biggest useable size on these cars...
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bob1179
13,464 posts
78 months
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I love the car, it looks a real monster, and I bet in 18 months time there will be a few knocking about at really good prices!
I have to admit that I agree that the wheels look a bit crap. I've never been a fan of replacing OE alloys with aftermarket ones, but shirley there has to be a better alternative to those?
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Ravell
1,181 posts
81 months
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Wheels IMO too big, but the yellow front looks awesome!
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FWDRacer
2,839 posts
93 months
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5 of us went on Motorsport related weekender to Genk (European Kart Racing). 5 adults and all our luggage - West Mids to Genk and back in 48 hrs. Totally comfortable and even the Diseasal versions go well. Is it a Ford S-Max "BRM" edition. Rover do it - they get panned. You do it and everyone applauds. Fickle 
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Vixpy1
40,830 posts
133 months
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Not too sure about the yellow front chaps, and the wheels are a bit big now..
sorry chaps!
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Snoggledog
6,049 posts
86 months
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That number plate is a tad ambiguous.. Could be read either way
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hcanning
2,477 posts
71 months
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These are FWD aren't they? I bet the traction control gets a good workout when it's fully laden with people and/or luggage and/or towing 
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g60_go
31 posts
69 months
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those wheels are actually offered by ford as an option if you buy a brand new s-max
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thekirbyfake
4,467 posts
104 months
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C5L said: that is stealth ! ! You know the meaning of stealth, right? Hint - it isn't ridin' on dubs and yellow trim. A ~£500 Bluefin/Dreamscience 270bhp/330lbft conversion would have been stealthy.
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cowellsj
681 posts
68 months
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not sure about the yellow front, even so there's something very appealing about big performance in a people carrier.
EVO had pretty poor MPG on their Focus ST too, ford need to have a look at that really, i know it's a performance engine, but it must be putting a good few people off buying.
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Gregor Marshall
920 posts
97 months
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What's it like at towing a racecar?
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Fetchez la vache
4,233 posts
83 months
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cowellsj said: i know it's a performance engine, but it must be putting a good few people off buying. You can put me in that group. I'd love the ST engineed version but only the diseasel makes my shortlist. Another  on the tacky yellow bumper. Looks like you rear ended a big lemon... you big lemon
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L100NYY
26,784 posts
112 months
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Well I'm going to go against the PH collective on this one and say that I actuallylike the 20" wheels and the yellow front. The wheels don't look cartoon-like as they did on the Evo Focus, which I guess is down to the deeper sides of the S Max. Oh and the yellow front kind of gives it the look of a race support vehicle so all in all a  from me then.
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baSkey
14,157 posts
95 months
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L100NYY said: Well I'm going to go against the PH collective on this one and say that I actuallylike the 20" wheels and the yellow front. The wheels don't look cartoon-like as they did on the Evo Focus, which I guess is down to the deeper sides of the S Max. Oh and the yellow front kind of gives it the look of a race support vehicle so all in all a from me then. i think they look alright. i am just not sure they'll make it a better car(/van).
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thekirbyfake
4,467 posts
104 months
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Fetchez la vache said: cowellsj said: i know it's a performance engine, but it must be putting a good few people off buying. You can put me in that group. I'd love the ST engineed version but only the diseasel makes my shortlist. Remember the engine is a pretty old design and can trace its roots back to when 20mpg and oodles of CO2/km was not that rare. If you look at BMW's 3L twin turbo effort in the x35i it has much better performance and yet has better economy and CO2 emissions than the ST/T5 motor. I haven't seen figures for the I6 turbo motor Ford makes for Volvo down in Bridgend but I'd wager it's also better than the ST/T5.
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L100NYY
26,784 posts
112 months
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baSkey said: L100NYY said: Well I'm going to go against the PH collective on this one and say that I actuallylike the 20" wheels and the yellow front. The wheels don't look cartoon-like as they did on the Evo Focus, which I guess is down to the deeper sides of the S Max. Oh and the yellow front kind of gives it the look of a race support vehicle so all in all a from me then. i think they look alright. i am just not sure they'll make it a better car(/van). True Baskey, but it does at least seperate it from all the S Max's on the road. Pistonheads. Individualism matters.
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collateral
6,847 posts
87 months
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Yellow bit would have been better in that ST orange colour...
Saw a Sierra Cosworth resprayed with it and thought it was quite amusing.
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Kinky
31,992 posts
138 months
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The yellow colour is the PH colour - which is why it's that specific colour. And it's a cracking drive. OH 
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