The concept, which Ford calls a sport activity vehicle, is designed for the European market. The production version likely won't be sold in the United States when it comes out next year as a replacement for the current S-Max.
But the concept features technology that could eventually find its way into vehicles sold in North America and elsewhere, Ford says.
Company officials previewed the S-Max Concept on Tuesday in Cologne, Germany.
The company will also show the vehicle at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin on Sept. 6 where Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be a keynote speaker.
The S-Max Concept is a four-door multipurpose vehicle with seven seats.
"We haven't made any formal announcement of the production version," said J Mays, Ford's head of global design. "The concept is very near to the production version."
Ford is scheduled to introduce a new S-Max in Europe next year.
The first-generation S-Max went on sale in 2006, and Ford has sold 350,000 units to date. Many S-Max customers have come from premium brands, said Mays.
He said the S-Max Concept represents the latest version of Ford's global design language that debuted at the Frankfurt show in 2005 with the Iosis concept.
The S-Max Concept has a high-mounted grille and swept-back headlamps similar to the Ford Fusion sedan. It is powered by Ford's new 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine.
The S-Max Concept is equipped with the latest version of Ford's Active Park Assist, which allows drivers to park the vehicle in perpendicular spaces without touching the steering wheel or gear lever.
The vehicle also alerts drivers to nearby traffic when they are trying to exit a parking space.
The S-Max Concept features Ford's Intelligent Protection System with Pre-Collision Assist to identify pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes if a crash is imminent. It is equipped with wireless Internet access and a docking station for tablets and other devices in the back seat.
The latest version of the company's Sync and MyFord Touch infotainment and control systems have also been installed on the concept.
Ford used "thin seat technology" in the third row of seats to allow the seats to be folded into the floor with a single step.
Mays said a lot of the technology will appear in the production vehicle.
Mays said Ford is aiming for a premium look with a less cluttered design.
"A lot of car companies are adding more surface language. We're adamant about reducing it. Premium doesn't have to scream premium. It has the confidence to speak more confidently" with simpler lines, he said.
The S-Max also showcases some technologies including some "wellness" features connected to Ford's Sync communications system. Those include sensors in the seats that can monitor heart rate and glucose levels.
It features what Ford calls a dual-view display screen in the center console that employs filters to allow someone riding in the front passenger seat to watch a movie while the driver sees only the navigation, radio controls and climate display on the same screen.
"Passengers can be entertained by a movie while the driver can keep driving," said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronic systems engineering for Ford.
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