The Ford S-MAX Concept. Photo courtesy Ford.

The Ford S-MAX Concept. Photo courtesy Ford.

Ford showed two new concept vehicles at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the new S-MAX Concept sports activity vehicle, and the new Mondeo Vignale Concept, an upscale version of the Mondeo. Ford also unveiled the 1.0L-equipped version of its Focus compact sedan at the event and showed the production version of its new Tourneo Courier.

The new S-MAX Concept features a new design, new interior options that allow for seating configurations that can seat anywhere from four to seven passengers, and Ford SYNC with MyFord Touch, which provides wireless Internet access to passengers and provides a tablet docking station for second-row seat occupants. The vehicle also features Ford’s ECG Heart Rate Monitoring Seat, which records the driver’s heart rate. One unique feature is the Dual-View Display in the center console, which delivers different images to the driver and front passenger via the same screen, allowing the front passenger to view entertainment (a movie, for example) without distracting the driver.

Under the hood, the vehicle is powered by a 1.5L EcoBoost gasoline (petrol) engine with turbocharging and twin-independent variable camshaft timing, among other technologies.

The S-MAX Concept also features a number of safety technologies, including Ford’s Intelligent Protection System with Pre-Collision Assist, which can recognize pedestrians and automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes if a collision is about to occur. The vehicle also offers a more advanced version of the automaker’s Active Park Assist, which offers a perpendicular parking capability, control of steering, gear selection and fore and aft movement, and alert the driver to approaching traffic when leaving a parking spot.

Ford also revealed the production version of its new Tourneo Courier in Frankfurt. This vehicle features space for five, twin-sliding rear doors, 60/40 split rear seats, and will go on sale in Europe by mid-2014, according to the automaker.

The Ford Tourneo Courier. Photo courtesy Ford.

The Ford Tourneo Courier. Photo courtesy Ford.

Another major announcement from Ford was the introduction of a new 1.0L EcoBost engine that will be the first gasoline (petrol) engine to offer 99 g/km CO2 emissions, according to the automaker. The new version of the 1.0L EcoBoost can achieve fuel efficiency of 4.3 l/100 km.

Ford plans to offer this engine in the Focus and extend it to the EcoSport SUV, Transit Connect and Transit Courier commercial vehicles; Tourneo Connect and Tourneo Courier people movers; and later to the all-new version of the Mondeo. The Focus model equipped with this engine will be built in Saarlouis, Germany, and will make use of Ford ECOnetic Technology features, including Auto-Start-Stop, Smart Regenerative Charging, Active Grille Shutters, and Ford’s “EcoMode” driving mode.

The Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept. Photo courtesy Ford.

The Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept. Photo courtesy Ford.

Last but not least, Ford showed its Vignale concept version of its Modneo. Ford’s Mondeo Vignale concept is an upscale approach to its Mondeo (a.k.a. the Ford Fusion in the U.S.) sedan. The Vignale concept comes in four-door saloon and wagon body styles. Outside it features chrome door handles and mirror caps, mesh grille, unique front bumper and fog lamp design, and a “Nocciola” paint color. For safety, it features front and rear Park Assist with Rear View Camera for use when parking. Inside, it features leather appointed interior features, and exclusive seating with “Vignale” detailing and soft-touch interior materials.

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