S-MAX Vignale
We try Ford’s posh new MPV with 178bhp diesel power
TO all intents and purposes, the Ford Fiesta ST200 is a brilliant car. It’s faster and even sweeter to drive than the standard hot hatch, while the extra kit adds a layer of glitter to the already smartly styled supermini. But no matter how you look at it, the £3,000 premium is a lot to spend, considering aftermarket tuners will do a similar job for 20 per cent of the price. Mountune’s official upgrade even retains Ford’s factory warranty. WITH its new Vignale brand, Ford is attempting to elevate its mainstream family cars into the premium territory occupied by Audi and BMW. The S-MAX is the second model to receive the treatment, and this 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel version – tested for the first time – will make up the bulk of sales.
Vignale isn’t only about slapping on some new badges and bumping up the price. The S-MAX also gains a few choice styling tweaks. There’s a new chrome grille, a lot of extra chrome trim on the doors and windows, plus unique alloy wheels with – you guessed it – a chrome finish. Parked next to the standard S-MAX the changes are noticeable, but while the newcomer is smarter, we’re not convinced it’s enough to give the model that premium edge.
The S-MAX is already an attractive people carrier, however, so it’s inside where the Vignale has to impress. There are supple, high-grade quilted-leather seats, plush softtouch materials on the dash and doors, and contrasting stitching as far as the eye can see. Our car was also fitted with optional ‘multi-contour’ seats with ventilation and a massage function, which is a neat touch, but we found the bolsters were too tight around the body.
The Vignale’s extra cabin polish goes some way to justifying the £2,700 you’ll pay over Titanium Sport spec, but it’s still let down by scratchy plastics on the lower dash and a bland-looking centre console design.
We can sing the praises of another new Ford feature, though: SYNC 3 infotainment. It’s much improved over the fiddly SYNC 2, with clearer menus and a more responsive screen. It’s compatible with Apple Carplay, too. Happily, the new tech isn’t limited to Vignale trim, as it’s fitted to all except entrylevel S-MAX, Mondeo and Edge models.
On the road, the 2.0-litre diesel is frugal and smooth. It’s slightly sluggish, but it’s preferable to the thirsty and lacklustre petrol. Given that the Vignale updates are largely cosmetic, there are no great surprises with the drive. Body control is tidy, but our car’s ride on optional 19-inch alloys was more unsettled than you’d expect for a premium car. At least refinement is strong due to active noise cancellation and acoustic laminated glass.
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