Ford Galaxy follows S-Max into Geneva
The new Ford Galaxy (click pic above for high rez version) that will go on sale in Europe has grown in size to make room for its little sibling, the new S-Max. Both vehicles share the ‘Kinetic Design’ language and appear cast from the same mold at a glance. Their spec sheets are also very similar with the Galaxy benefiting from Ford’s new FoldFlatSystem for its second and third row benches. The third row in the Galaxy, however, is more spacious than the back row bench in the S-Max, which makes it a true seven-seater. The engine lineup is populated only with oil-burners, the largest being a 143-hp, 2.0L unit.
Check out more high quality pics and Ford of Europe’s full press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
A NEW CONCEPT IN SPACE TRAVEL: THE NEW FORD GALAXY
2006 Geneva Motor Show (incl. photos for registered media users)
- New Ford Galaxy launches at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show
- All-new version of Ford’s best-selling “Travel First Class” full-sized MPV
- New Galaxy is first Ford of Europe production vehicle to feature elements of ‘kinetic design’ which gives it an elegant, contemporary silhouette with bold surfaces
- Inspiring and high quality interior delivers luxury, space and flexibility for up to seven occupants
- New innovative Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS) allows 32 possible seating configurations
- 30 per cent more luggage space than the previous model, plus up to 31 stowage compartments
- New user friendly technologies include Human Machine Interface (HMI), a full length roof console and an optional glass ‘Panorama Roof’
- Five efficient and powerful engines with impressive fuel economy and clean emissions
- The MPV that drives like a car - new driver-focused dynamic and safety technologies include Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control with continuously controlled damping
- Ford Intelligent Protection System provides latest driver assistance and occupant protection technologies, including a new driver’s knee airbag
- New Galaxy fully developed in-house and built exclusively at Ford’s Genk plant in Belgium
- Cologne, February 20 2006: The elegant all-new Ford Galaxy, which is being launched at the Geneva Motor Show 2006, takes the established and highly successful Galaxy concept further into the “Travel First Class” arena and is a worthy new flagship for the Ford of Europe product portfolio.
- The new Galaxy is handsome, dynamic and purposeful, featuring elements of Ford's new 'kinetic design' form language.
A Bigger Galaxy: New Galaxy is slightly bigger than the model it replaces, with a wider track ( 59mm front, 81mm rear compared to the previous model). Overall length has increased by 179mm (4,820mm vs. 4,641mm), while vehicle width has increased by 60mm (1,854mm vs. 1,794mm). The overall height was reduced slightly by 14mm (1,676mm vs. 1,690mm).
The inside story: The new Ford Galaxy uses its increased exterior dimensions ingeniously to provide impressive interior space for up to seven adults and their luggage. With its deep glass area and high seating position, the Galaxy offers a "command bridge" feel for occupants. Its standard three-row seating configuration combined with the new Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS) offers new levels of flexibility for the Ford Galaxy, while luggage volume is significantly increased by around one third (435 litres vs. 335 litres) – even when all 7 seats are taken. With the 2nd and 3rd row seats folded flat this luggage volume increases to a massive 2325 litres.
Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS) for modularity and flexibility: The new Ford Galaxy is a full seven-seater and is equipped with the innovative new Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS) for the five individual rear seats. FFS enables the 2nd and 3rd row seating areas to be easily transformed into a completely flat load space without having to remove and store the seats. The spacious second and third row seats offer premium comfort in an individually designed seat, plus an increase in seat adjustment of 50mm for the second row and 60mm for the third row versus the first-generation model.
Panorama Roof and Overhead Console: The optional Panorama Roof is a single piece of glass externally, but inside the vehicle is effectively separated into four sections – two over the front seats, and two over the rear seats, with the overhead centre console running along the centreline of the roof panel from front to rear. The new full-length overhead console includes a child watch mirror and up to five stowage boxes.
Room for Luggage plus 31 Stowage Solutions: The Galaxy's luggage capacity expands from 308 litres up to 2325 litres with all rear seats folded away. Even with all rear seats occupied, new Galaxy still offers up to 435 litres of luggage space. Its flat load floor stretches 2m in length by 1.15m in width. Galaxy offers up to 31 different stowage compartments, with a total capacity of up to 110 litres. Overhead consoles can be specified in short, medium or full length versions depending on model series. In full length form, the console stretches along the ceiling from the windscreen to second row.
Human Machine Interface (HMI): A new instrument cluster plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel including toggle switches for the Human Machine Interface (HMI) take Galaxy ergonomics to a new level. Two sets of sophisticated steering wheel-mounted toggle switches in combination with an easy to read instrument cluster centre display form the basis for Ford’s latest-generation HMI. This system – which is standard on all Ford Galaxy and S-MAX models – is astonishingly simple and intuitive to operate, utilising a newly developed chime system. This categorises each warning sound according to their purpose giving the driver greater control over the audio warnings that he receives.
Climate Control: Air conditioning is standard equipment on all new Galaxy models, and for maximum interior climate control, dual Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) is available. The EATC system features separate temperature controls for the driver, the front passenger and the second row passengers.
Audio and Communications: New Galaxy can be specified with a wide variety of high-quality audio and communications systems, and steering-wheel mounted toggle switches for the HMI system provide full driver control. Depending on market and on series, stereo radio/cassette or stereo radio/CD players can be selected, including a 6-CD autochanger. In addition, Galaxy can be specified with a DVD Multi-media system, which includes twin LCD screens built in to the back of the front seat headrests.
No-compromise on safety: A major part of the new Galaxy story revolves around the vehicle's active and passive safety systems. Ford's Intelligent Protection System has been enhanced for Galaxy, and now features a driver's knee airbag in addition to the usual complement of front and side airbags and air curtains.
A new Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) active suspension system is also available, and is a major contributor to the Galaxy safety package as well as enhancing the vehicle's driving dynamics. It includes Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) to improve suspension performance and comfort in all road conditions and interact with the vehicle’s ESP system for better dynamic vehicle behaviour.
Other new safety and comfort features for the new Ford Galaxy are
- Hill-Launch-Assist (HLA), which allows the driver to release the brake pedal and to step on the accelerator pedal without the vehicle rolling backwards
- Ford’s new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) and Collision Mitigation by Braking - driver aids based on radar distance control
Ford PrecisionDrive: The new Galaxy stands out in the MPV segment by offering Ford's acclaimed driving quality as standard. This is now represented under the Ford PrecisionDrive title. Despite its size, the new Galaxy features car-like driving dynamics with real driver appeal. Thanks to the acknowledged Ford expertise of bringing to market suspension systems with high levels of comfort, stability and handling precision for safe driving, new Galaxy drives and handles like a smaller car.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hank 8:36AM (2/20/2006)
Not bad. Not bad at all. Too bad the Free(Wind)star folks were informed that Ford had such ideas.
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laserwizard 9:26AM (2/20/2006)
Exactly the minivan Ford should be selling here. Enough style to not look any other, yet practical. Shades of Honda on the flanks. Ford chickens out and just builds it in Europe. Boo hoo!
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Michael Karesh 9:39AM (2/20/2006)
Quite possibly the most attractive van I've ever seen. Why can't the Mazda5 we do get here look this good? Price, I suppose. With the all-diesel powertrains, we'll never see it in the U.S. It's probably too small to sell well here, anyway.
But if there were a sporty handling 7-pass minivan with a manual transmission, I'd personally be interested. (Mazda5 is one seat short for my needs.)
To compare the prices of the minivans that are available in the U.S.: http://www.truedelta.com
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ppgoodpears 9:39AM (2/20/2006)
God forbid someone at Ford would have had the forethought to design the thing to be Euro and US compliant so that while Toyotas and Scions, Mazdas, and forthcoming Nissans, probably Mitsu and the Koreans start selling these monospace type mini minivan type things Ford will have to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch to get a product to market in the US in time for the buying public to move on to the next hot vehicle. Typical.
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Mike Homeniuk 9:40AM (2/20/2006)
Beats the crap out of the Windstar, doesn't it?!
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Mike Homeniuk 12:45PM (2/20/2006)
and another thing........
The Galaxy's twin, the VW Sharan, is the minivan VW should be selling in North America....not some re-badged Chrysler pos......
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Brian 1:49PM (2/20/2006)
Serious Ford. Why isn't this in the US? Take a chance!
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Steve B. 1:54PM (2/20/2006)
I wonder why they didn't use sliding doors... Putting kids into carseats in narrow parking spaces is a major paint with hinged doors, and Europe has far smaller parking spaces than ours. They also do a great deal more parallel parking, in which hinged doors are more likely to be hit.
The holy grail would be a door that slides AND hinges, but the logistics of that are pretty fantastical (unless the doorframe slid, with a hinged door mounted on it).
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Yaroukh 2:44PM (2/20/2006)
Homeniuk: this time there won't be no VW-twin
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Mike Homeniuk 3:15PM (2/20/2006)
Thanks, Yaroukh.....looks like VW's loss from what I can tell. Too bad all these pics + the S-Max ones don't show much of the interiors. Would be nice to see how the seats fold.
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rjl 11:21AM (2/21/2006)
Michael Karesh,
When you say why can't the Mazda5 we get here look as good, are you speaking spec wise or looks wise. As far as looks, the Mazda5 looks essentially the same in all markets save for some slight differences in the front end.
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MARY BENTLEY 9:27AM (4/11/2006)
Having been spoilt by always having imported Toyota Eminas and not being able to find a replacement Diesel Automatic this Galaxy looks as though it could fit the bill.
It would be useful to know if there will be a Diesel Auto.
What a shame there are not sliding doors
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MARY BENTLEY 9:27AM (4/11/2006)
Having been spoilt by always having imported Toyota Eminas and not being able to find a replacement Diesel Automatic this Galaxy looks as though it could fit the bill.
It would be useful to know if there will be a Diesel Auto.
What a shame there are not sliding doors
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Don 2:03PM (6/18/2007)
I drove a rented brand new S-Max from Munich to Prague last week. The 3rd row seat is for small kids but the car is impressive. Solid build, lots of power, handles good and you can't tell your driving a diesel from the engine noise. With six adults I was going a smooth and quiet 160 kph most of the time in Germany, 130-140 the rest of the time, and it used only a bit over 3/8 of the tank. I have no idea what the actual mileage was because Lufthansa gave us the car after we missed our flight, so everything was paid for.
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marcustandy 3:49PM (6/23/2007)
We have just ordered an automatic diesel version of the Galaxy. Extras ordered were - metallic paint (White Grape), sun blinds and the Ghia X Pack.
It has to be 'built-to-order' and we expect to take delivery in September. The list of extras had me like a wide-eyed-kid in a sweet shop but I managed to restrain myself to the above! We will change it after 12 months by which time I will know which of the other goodies I could justify ordering!! LOL
I'll report back when we've had for a wee while and let you all know what we think.
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Joanne Heggie 10:12AM (6/29/2007)
We hired the Ford Galaxy on a recent trip to Germany - what a great vehicle! My husband who is not a Ford lover wanted to find out if it was possible to get one here to Canada. Excellent gas mileage, comfortable ride with lots of pep - even though it was carrying 4 adults, 2 children and 8 pieces of luggage!!! So many great options and features I would gladly trade my Mazda MPV for a Ford Galaxy!
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