COLOGNE (Germany): Ford Motor Company has revealed the all-new Ford Galaxy, which has advanced as a spacious, refined and technology-laden people mover offering luxurious travel for seven passengers.
Featuring the company’s latest global design language with a sophisticated grille and slim-line headlamps, the all-new Galaxy offers seven full-size seats, enabling families to easily switch between seating or load space with a segment-first feature that raises third-row seats at the push of a button.
Comfort is enhanced for front seat passengers with massaging Ford Multi-Contour Seats; and for rear seat passengers with integral link rear suspension that offers a smoother, quieter ride.
The all-new Galaxy also supports drivers in town and on the highway with advanced technologies including Intelligent Speed Limiter, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Glare-Free Highbeam technology.
“Families across Europe have grown up with the Galaxy. Customers are reassured by its ability to carry seven in first-class comfort and safety, and to constantly surprise with its unmatched versatility,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “The all-new Galaxy enhances those qualities with improved dynamics, fuel efficiency and refinement – as well as useful innovations.”
The all-new Galaxy makes it easier than ever to maximise space for passengers and luggage. A control panel in the rear luggage compartment enables all five second- and third-row seats to be folded flat at the push of a button. As a segment-first, the panel also can be used to automatically raise the third row seats.
A flat load floor makes it easier to load large or bulky items, and the ability to slide and recline second- and third-row seats individually means seating and loadspace combinations are as easy to tailor to the school run as for trips to the airport. Beneath the boot floor the new Cargo Management System offers 20 litres of hidden storage, and helps to carry taller items.
“Galaxy has always been a car designed around the needs of seven, and our new model takes this philosophy to even greater heights with every occupant benefiting from outstanding levels of comfort and refinement,” said Andrew Kernahan, Ford Galaxy chief programme engineer.
Ford’s integral link rear suspension configuration delivers the compliance required for greater comfort, while retaining lateral stiffness for enhanced steering and handling. Also introduced to all-new Mondeo and all-new S-MAX, it allows the wheel to move further rearwards on impact with bumps. This delivers improved impact absorption for a smoother ride and reduced noise levels. Galaxy also is offered with self-levelling rear suspension that maintains optimal ride height for comfort and handling.
All-new Galaxy technologies also make parking easier with Perpendicular Parking which can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars in the same way that Active Park Assist helps drivers to parallel park.
Park-Out Assist helps drivers exit a parallel parking space, the system operating the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake. Side Parking Aid delivers audible alerts and on-screen distance indicators to obstacles around the vehicle. Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may soon be crossing behind them and Front Split View Camera enhances the driver’s field of vision when pulling out of a parking space or junction with a 180 degree camera system installed at the front of the Galaxy, and displays the image on the 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen in the centre console.
Further driver assistance technologies offered with all-new Galaxy include Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Alert and Aid and Driver Alert.
Ford SYNC 2 with Voice Control enables drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. A useful tool for family road trips or holidays, drivers can even bring up a list of local restaurants by saying: “I’m hungry” or search for attractions and points of interest by name.
Powerful, fuel-efficient new engines will further enhance driving appeal in town and on the highway. The all-new Galaxy will be available with Ford’s new 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi Bi-turbo diesel engine that offers enhanced responsiveness and 450Nm of torque from 2,000rpm.
“The new high-powered TDCi diesel engine follows the downsizing trend we’ve led with our EcoBoost petrol technology. Smaller engines deliver better fuel efficiency and emissions, and we claim the power back with advanced technology,” said Andrew Brumley, chief engineer, Ford Engine Programs. “Sequential bi-turbo technology delivers the seamless performance consumers want every day in all conditions, and makes turbo-lag a distant memory.”
Ford’s enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with single variable geometry turbocharger technology is offered with 120PS, 150PS and 180PS, featuring revised engine block, new cylinder-head and fuel injection designs, and lean NOX trap exhaust after-treatment system for cleaner emissions.
Petrol engine options include Ford’s new fuel-efficient 160PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost and 240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost. The entire Galaxy engine range meets Euro Stage VI emissions standards with CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency.
The all-new Galaxy offers a contemporary and sophisticated appearance. At the front a raised trapezoidal grille is positioned above a distinctive full-width lower grille. The slim-line headlamps flow into the raised beltline that is designed to present a strong, mature and elegant character.
The mature and sophisticated interior design, including a sculpted centre console that flows from the upper instrument panel and a wrap-around dashboard that flows into the front doors. The open and airy interior benefits from a large glass area and optional full-length retractable panoramic glass roof.
