The 21-year-old starlet...
The 21-year-old starlet will test for McLaren this week at Jerez in Spain to let team chiefs gauge if he’s ready to step into the seat Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa currently occupies. McLaren boss Ron Dennis confirmed: “Lewis will test this week, but whether anything comes out of it to change our current thinking for the Brazilian GP, time will tell. The test is not an evaluation of his capabilities as a driver. That is not the objective. It is to give him more mileage on a different type of circuit and to learn things that are important for us for Brazil. No decision has been taken, but as and when it is we’ll announce it.”
Expected to be called...
Expected to be called the Focus S-MAX, the new people carrier is based on the maker"s C1 platform, which forms the basis of all Focus-derived models. And what"s more, it"s fast - very fast. It"s not known exactly what"s under the bonnet, but the MPV had more than enough power to keep ahead of the mag"s spy photographer - which explains why he could only get rear shots as the test drivers sped off.
The Focus underpinnings have been adapted, with an added section to the bodywork between the doors and a higher ride height. It"s not known whether the S-MAX will be marketed as a sporty model or an out-and-out SUV, but this test mule is fitted with large-diameter alloys and low-profile tyres - both typical of a high-performance model. However, the car won"t wear ST or RS badges; these will be reserved for Fords with sporty handling as their only priority.
The new soft-roader will be offered with a wide range of engines, which could include the Ford group"s 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel. Exact launch dates are being kept under wraps, but the S-MAX should be on sale in the UK by the end of 2006.