Ford Motor Company launches the All_New Galaxy MPV - the ultimate in Passenger transport ?

• All-new Ford Galaxy MPV debuts Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for enhanced traction and road-holding
• Intelligent All-Wheel Drive continuously measures traction at all four wheels and instantaneously calculates where to deliver engine torque
• Ford expands the number of vehicles with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive – including Kuga, all-new Mondeo, S-MAX and Edge
• Galaxy available to order in Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X series, priced from £26,445
• Seven-seater people mover provides luxurious and safe travel with practical innovations, class-leading refinement and advanced driver assistance technologies

Ford Motor Company today announced that the all-new Galaxy will be available with all-wheel drive. Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system delivers enhanced traction and road-holding with a seamless transition between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive performance to provide a more secure footing, especially in slippery conditions.

Measuring how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface every 16 milliseconds – 20 times quicker than it takes to blink – the system can send up to 100 per cent of engine torque to the front or rear wheels, and make required adjustments in just 100 milliseconds. 

By only delivering torque where and when it is needed, Intelligent AWD has minimal impact on fuel economy and CO₂ emissions compared with permanent four-wheel drive systems.

“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 & Service, Ford of Europe. 

“The all-new Galaxy now delivers even more assurance with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, actively optimising traction for even smoother and more refined journeys.”

Ford is expanding the number of vehicles available with AWD. First available on Kuga, it is also available on the all-new Mondeo and S-MAX and will be offered on the Edge SUV later this year.

More grip on demand

The all-new Galaxy’s Intelligent AWD is always on. The primary goal of Intelligent AWD at low speeds is to improve traction. If, for example, the front of the vehicle is on ice and the rear is not, the all-wheel-drive system can send all the torque the powertrain can produce to the rear, putting power where the driver needs it.

At speeds above 18mph Intelligent AWD is tuned to improve driving feel, handling and responses using information from body control, braking, gearbox and the Electronic Power Assisted Steering. 

By sending torque to the rear wheels when cornering at speed, the system can help reduce understeer – those situations when a vehicle’s momentum causes it to continue straight instead of following the driver’s intended path.

“Intelligent AWD activates when it is needed, so it can help Galaxy drivers find grip in wintery conditions and enhance the signature car-like driving dynamics with minimal impact on fuel-efficiency and without affecting refinement. 

With Intelligent AWD, Galaxy drivers also can tow up to 2,000kg,” said Ulrich Koesters, vehicle line director, Ford of Europe.

The all-new Galaxy offers Intelligent AWD with the 150PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission, and with the 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi engine and six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. 

Galaxy can also be equipped with a 120PS version of the 2.0-litre TDCi engine, and Ford’s new 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi bi-turbo diesel engine that offers enhanced responsiveness and 450Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm.

Petrol engine options include Ford’s new fuel-efficient 160PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost and 240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost, and the entire Galaxy engine range meets Euro Stage VI emissions standards with CO₂ emissions from 129 g/km* supported by Smart Regenerative Charging, Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter technologies.

First-class travel

Ford also today announced prices for the all-new Galaxy. Available to order now in Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X series, it will start from £26,445. 

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, with practical innovations, class-leading refinement, and advanced driver assistance technologies.

Families can easily switch between seating and 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 and more space. 

Second- and third-row passengers benefit from up to 10mm more headroom than in the outgoing Galaxy and the third-row seats offer up to 40mm more headroom than key competitors.

The all-new Galaxy also supports drivers in town and on the highway with advanced technologies including:

• Intelligent Speed Limiter, which when activated scans traffic signs and adjusts the throttle to help drivers stay within legal speed limits and avoid fines
• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which will reduce the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or help drivers avoid some impacts altogether
• Glare-Free Highbeam technology within the adaptive LED headlamps, which detects vehicles ahead and fades out light that could dazzle oncoming drivers, while retaining maximum illumination for other areas
• Front Split View Camera, which 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 8in high-resolution touchscreen in the centre console

Galaxy takes the nameplate’s signature car-like driving dynamics to a new level with Ford Adaptive Steering technology, which adjusts steering ratio according to speed to optimise manoeuvrability and precision.

The technologically advanced Galaxy seven-seat people mover was revealed for the first time in April earlier this year – on the back of a moving trailer – through a stunt performed with the help of illusionist Darcy Oake.