Alberto sent us these photos from Ford’s launch of its new Galaxy MPV. One of the first new vehicles
launched under the banner of Ford Europe’s “Ford PrecisionDrive” campaign, the new Galaxy aims to provide the
stability and handling precision of a smaller car, while maintaining high levels of comfort.
According to
Alberto, those high levels of comfort probably don’t extend to the unlucky passengers in the third row, which is very
cramped. Perhaps they should take a leaf from the Lotus APX playbook and call the Galaxy a “5 2.”
Otherwise, the Galaxy comes across as a full-featured, well-built ride, with comfortable seats (five of them, anyway)
and quality materials and finish. A nice touch for parents of small children is the interior panoramic mirror that
allows the driver to keep an eye on the passengers.
More pics and the official launch press release after
the jump.
Press
Release:
A NEW CONCEPT IN SPACE TRAVEL: THE NEW FORD GALAXY
• All-new version of Ford’s best-selling “Travel First Class”
full-sized MPV
• New Galaxy features 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
The elegant all-new Ford Galaxy 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.
New Galaxy Features:
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 offers new levels of flexibility for the Ford Galaxy. Overall, when compared to the original Galaxy, the
new model gets a significant increase in luggage volume of around one-third, even with all seven seats in place.
The capacity is an impressive 435 litres (vs. 335 litres) to the seatback and with the third row of seats in their
forward-most position. With the second and third row seats folded flat, this luggage volume increases to a massive 2325
litres.
Ford FoldFlatSystem for modularity and flexibility: The new Ford Galaxy is a full seven-seater
and is equipped with the innovative new Ford FoldFlatSystem 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 a minimum of 308 litres (with the third seat row
in its rearmost position) up to 2325 litres (filled to the roof) with all rear seats folded flat. Even with all
of the rear seats in use, new Galaxy still offers up to 435 litres of luggage space (to the seatback) when the third
seat row is in its forwardmost position. 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: A new instrument
cluster plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel including toggle switches for the Human Machine Interface 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 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.
First class safety features: 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
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 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 Ford Galaxy are:
–
Hill-Launch-Assist, 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
– Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert and Collision Mitigation by Braking – driver aids
based on radar distance control
Powertrains: New Galaxy features a comprehensive range of powertrains. The
engine line up is:1.8 litre Duratorq TDCi 100 PS (74 kW), 1.8 litre Duratorq TDCi 125 PS (92 kW), 2.0 litre Duratorq
TDCi 130 PS (96 kW) with DPF, 2.0 litre Duratorq TDCi 140 PS (103 kW) with or without DPF, and 2.0 litre Duratec 145 PS
(107 kW).
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.