The new Ford S-MAX Hybrid sports activity vehicle has gone on sale, offering an electric/petrol hybrid powertrain. Priced within £625 of the equivalent diesel version for the ST-Line version, the new S-MAX Hybrid becomes, according to Ford, the UK’s most affordable hybrid with seven seats.

The new S‑MAX Hybrid reduces CO₂ emissions by more than 10 per cent (WLTP) when compared with the equivalent EcoBlue diesel powertrain using a combination of 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine, 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, electric motor and the latest generation of Ford’s power-split transmission.

Electric power is deployed to support petrol engine fuel efficiency or deliver silent, pure-electric driving for short periods depending on the scenario.

“S-MAX is the original sports activity vehicle, and now brings even more appeal for a new generation of customers with pure-electric driving capability for the first time,” said Roelant de Waard, Ford’s European Passenger Vehicle general manager.

“From a sporty, car-like driving experience to seats that fold flat at the push of a button, innovations that fit perfectly into family life have always been a big part of the S-MAX appeal. That makes the efficient and refined new hybrid powertrain a natural addition to the line-up.”

Ford is also offering for the first time a full hybrid variant of the Galaxy seven-seat people mover. The new Galaxy Hybrid utilises the same petrol-electric powertrain as S‑MAX Hybrid.

S-MAX Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid and their lithium-ion battery packs are assembled at the company’s manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain.