THIS is the look of the Ford S-MAX Concept. So pretty much the new S-MAX, then.

Ford showed the new S-MAX Concept, previewing exactly what kind of design, technology and functionality we can expect in the production version of Ford’s next seven-seater, due in early 2015.

Business Car Manager was at an early preview of the Ford S-MAX Concept to test it out first hand.

The Ford S-MAX Concept will be on Ford’s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show, complete with a new Fiesta and B-MAX-inspired design. That includes the swept-back headlights and the large chrome grille, which stand among a raft of features designed to make the S-MAX look lower and wider.

A few of the old S-MAX visual cues have been carried over, though, such as the steeply raked windscreen and the narrow glazed area, which features a very similar windowline.

Important for any seven-seater buyer is how versatile this car is. Ford has made the rearmost seats extremely thin and light – using Thin Seat Technology – which, it says, will allow them to be raised and lowered very easily.