New Ford Galaxy first drive

Like it? Share it!

Monday, 08 February 2010 18:00

The revised Ford Galaxy range goes on sale in the UK in April but with prices yet to be announced and depending upon the value of the Pound against the Euro.

The refreshed Galaxy which will have the option of Ford’s new 2.0-litre, 203PS EcoBoost turbocharged direct injection petrol engine with the new Powershift six-speed twin clutch auto gearbox and new 2.0-litre Duratorq 115PS and 163PS turbodiesel units with a 140PS unit to follow. The Powershift auto box will be available as an option to the standard six-speed manual gearbox for 140 and 160PS diesels.

The seven-seat Galaxy achieved 8,005 registrations in the UK last year in the MPV, multi-purpose vehicle, segment which showed a huge 30.2% decline in sales due to customers down-sizing to other multi-seat options or staying with the vehicles they have due to the economic climate. The segment achieved around 94,800 sales according to official figures but the Galaxy remained the best selling large MPV outselling its closest rival, the Volkswagen Sharan, by five to one.

80% of UK Galaxy sales are to fleet operators, mainly chauffeurs, private hire, taxi/mini-cab operators and hotel and airport minibus use and 97% of Galaxy models are diesel powered.

Like its stablemate, the seven-seat sportier looking and slightly smaller S-Max, the Galaxy has undergone a refreshment of styling with a more sculptured bonnet, bolder trapezoidal grille, new look fog lights, bolder silver coloured roof rails, new LED tail lights and depending on the version, more chrome detailing on the side mouldings and door handles. Inside it is more luxurious and there is the Ford ‘flat-floor’ seating system where the second and third rows of seats individually fold to the floor so passenger or luggage carrying options are high. There is a new premium sound system, upgraded interior, partial or full leather trim options, a blind spot information light that operates in the rear view door mirrors and adjustable speed limiter.

During a pre UK introduction press event in wet and windy southern Spain over mountainous roads the latest Galaxy with the new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with 163PS of power and 340Nm of torque from 2,000rpm was an accomplished performer. Bearing in mind this vehicle is used to carry passengers and because it is popular with business transport operators it has to be comfortable for the paying public and cost effective and reliable for the operator.

The latest generation Duratorq diesel engine appeared to be quieter and more refined and with that all important responsiveness and flexibility in traffic. The injection pressure has been raised to 2,000bar for improved atomisation with eight hole injectors instead of the former six hole. There is reduced injection noise and an improved turbocharger provides faster response. Driven over winding country roads and through towns the test vehicle returned 35.8mpg against the official 49.5mpg figure. With a CO2 rating of 152g/km road tax is now £150 and this goes up to £155 in April.

All in all a higher class of ride, performance and comfort.

MILESTONES. 2010 Ford Galaxy 2.0-litre 163PS Duratorq TDCi. Engine/transmission: Revised 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, high pressure, common-rail multiple injection, turbodiesel, 163PS, 340Nm from 2,000rpm, 6-speed manual. Performance: 126mph, 0-62mph 9.8 seconds, 49.5mpg (35.8mpg actual), CO2 152g/km, VED £150. Carrying capacity: 7-seats, 308-2,325-litres. For: Comfortable, spacious, flexible interior, well equipped, drives well. Against: Limited luggage space with all seven seats in use, might get pricey at UK launch time. Miles Better News Agency www.girlracer.co.uk