01 Mar 06
The new Galaxy may not be the most instantly eye-catching of the new cars on display, but it's a safe bet that it'll have more of an impact on most people's lives than, say, the Spyker D12 Peking-Paris. Slightly overshadowed by the sportier S-MAX, the Galaxy's the plain-clothes people-shifter and no-nonsense family wagon.
It's less van-like than previous Galaxys, however, clearly taking the Renault Espace as its role model when it comes to interior layout. Finished in lighter materials and feeling altogether airier, it has 30% more luggage space than its predecessor, has up to 31 storage compartments (we didn't count) and the option of a full-length glass roof for the full greenhouse effect. The rear seats fold flat, and in no fewer than 32 different configurations (no, as yet untested).
Much of this has been made possible by an increase in dimensions: it's 179mm longer and 60mm wider than before, though the roof is 14mm lower. Seating up to seven adults plus luggage now, it is substantially more spacious. New touches include an overhead roof console box in three different lengths, airbags to protect the driver's knees, the new interface system as in the S-MAX, with steering wheel-mounted toggle switches and central display, plus standard air conditioning or climate control. Options include a DVD system with twin LCD screens in the front seat-back headrests to keep the kids entertained.
With improved comfort assured, Ford has also overhauled the Galaxy's general driving characteristics. This is an all-new model developed in-house and built on the next-generation Mondeo platform, rather than a development of the old egg-shaped MPV which shared its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Sharan and Seat Alhambra, and so should drive more like the new Mondeo than a minibus. Handling is said to be convincingly car-like and options include an active suspension system with continuously controlled damping. Stability control, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring and adaptive cruise control are all also available, giving the full package of modern driver aids.
Engines for the line-up are an entry-level 1.8 TDCI (100 bhp) diesel, the 125bhp 1.8 TDCi, 2.0 TDCi (130bhp, with diesel particulate filter, or 140bhp with filter optional), or the 2.0-litre 145bhp petrol unit. Further choices may follow at a later date, though the 220bhp 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine is reserved for the S-MAX, at least for the moment.
Also on Ford's stand is the Transit van, which has been overhauled for 2006, with an all-new engine line-up (six diesels and one petrol), a coded locking system with rechargeable, waterproof ignition fob, standard ABS and the option of leather trim, Bluetooth kit, cruise control, sat nav, and items beyond the expectations of most white van men. It's offered with front- or rear-wheel drive, dozens of different body sizes and styles, a heavy-duty front axle, up to three rows of seats and with huge luggage space. Sales start this summer, and Ford expects to build at least 240,000 a year.
