Brussels sprouts two heavily revised family machines in the shape of the Galaxy and S-Max this January. The seven-seat, kid-friendly family machines get a mild visual makeover and a more extensive technical review to keep them at the top of the sales charts.
The key change is the introduction of Ford's EcoBoost SCTi four-cylinder turbocharged petrol direct-injection engines - and the availability of Ford's PowerShift dual-clutch automatic. Delivering 200bhp the EcoBoost SCTi, when mated to the PowerShift automatic transmission, produces 19 percent less emissions than the outgoing 158bhp 2.3-litre petrol with a conventional automatic, despite a 25 percent increase in power. CO
2 emissions are 189g/km and the combined economy figure is quoted at 34.8mpg.
Impressive as those improvements are to the petrol choices it's the diesels that are the big sellers in both the Galaxy and S-Max ranges. The 2.0-litre TDCi line-up has been enhanced with a new higher power output of 161bhp. The diesels will also be available with the PowerShift twin-clutch automatic as an option.
Inside and out Ford has made a number of changes to the design, including LED rear lights on both models and LED running lights on higher trim versions. Other additions include Ford's EasyFuel capless filling system, a Blind Spot Information System and an Adjustable Speed Limiter Device (ASLD) - which allows drivers to set and then not exceed a pre-determined speed limit unintentionally.
Built alongside the Mondeo at Ford's plant in Genk, Belgium, the revised family MPVs will be in showrooms early next year. Prices and exact specifications will be revealed nearer their on-sale date.
Kyle Fortune - 15 Dec 2009