Fords Best-Selling Galaxy
People Carrier
The V6 Engine - The V6 engine has been
overhauled, with power output now boosted from 174
to 204bhp and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme)
included as standard, a system that will over-ride
both brake and throttle to keep you on the tarmac
should you enter a corner too fast. Which is maybe
just as well, given that this glorious light alloy
power plant is fast enough to make the Galaxy
something of a wolf in sheep's clothing, with
progress to 60mph in 9.9s seconds accompanied by a
satisfying yet muted roar on the way to a maximum of
around 135mph. The transmission choice is between a
new 6-speed manual gearbox and a Select Shift
Tiptronic auto (with the option of manual
up-and-down changes). Opt for the auto and fuel
consumption suffers even further, falling from 19.
1mpg to 16.6mpg around town and from 26.2mpg to
22.9mpg in normal use.
Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI Ghia
(130 PS) 5-Door MPV
>Anti-lock brakes >Driver seat
height adjustment >Driver Passenger and front side
air bags >Automatic air conditioning >Remote central
door locking >Computer >Cruise control
>Electric/heated door mirrors >Front/rear electric
windows >More than five head restraints
>Power-assisted steering >Driver seat lumbar support
>Rake/reach adjustable steering column/wheel
>Immobiliser
Galaxy Qualities - As before, the biggest
surprise for the uninitiated will be its car-like
qualities, further refined with more responsive
steering and slight suspension tweaks. Handling is
exemplary, and the Galaxy doesn't roll, pitch or
wallow like many of its MPV counterparts. Nor do you
need a period of acclimatisation before you can
drive it quickly. Safety has been a priority for
Ford with this car in recent times.
Hence the addition of side thorax airbags and side
curtain airbags from Fords acclaimed Intelligent
Protection System to give greater protection for all
occupants. Drivers benefit from a Mondeo-style
Electronic Brake Assist system and new smart
indicators, which automatically flash a minimum of
three times every time the indicators are activated.
These additions complement the ABS, driver and
passenger airbags and 3-point seat belts for all
occupants' already standard equipment on all models.
Inside the smart cabin, its all quite luxurious and
very different to the utilitarian feel of the
original model. Beautifully textured soft plastics,
subtle wood strips and flashes of silver trim
combine to create one of the nicest Ford interiors
we've seen and certainly the most practical. To
complement larger door pockets, two substantial
stowage boxes have been built into the dashboard in
response to customers who wanted to be able to hide
away clutter after a weekend and reclaim their car
as a business vehicle for the working week.
Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI Ghia
(130 PS) 5-Door MPV
>Anti-lock
brakes >Driver seat height adjustment >Driver
Passenger and front side air bags >Automatic air
conditioning >Perimetric alarm >16in alloy wheels
>Remote central door locking >Computer >Cruise
control >Electric/heated door mirrors >Front/rear
electric windows >More than five head restraints
>Power-assisted steering >Radio/cassette/cd
autochanger >Driver seat lumbar support >Rake/reach
adjustable steering column/wheel >Immobiliser >Front
fog lights >Front/rear parking aid
Galaxy Features - Once you were behind the
wheel, there wasn't much wrong with the original
Galaxy but, as we've suggested, this version goes
one step upmarket, in keeping with its intended
executive appeal. The first thing you notice is the
redesigned leather-bound four-spoke steering wheel
and the aluminium-look instrument surround. A
Ka-style analogue clock sits in the centre of the
dash in traditional contrast to the high gadgetry in
the centre console, redesigned to accommodate an
optional satellite navigation system.
Fords strengths lie in packaging (hence high
equipment levels including air conditioning, ABS,
dual front and side airbags, a CD auto changer,
heated front seats, a radar parking system etc, etc)
and the tight pricing. The options list is now vast,
including everything from a fridge to a multi-media
system capable of entertaining rear passengers with
DVD video or computer games via colour screens
mounted in the back of the front seat headrests.
Befitting its role as large MPV market leader, the
Galaxy seats seven people in even greater comfort
(though many V6 buyers will prefer to opt for a six-seater
version). The redesigned seats are welcome and it
continues to be easy to drive, simple to park and no
more expensive to run than an average large family
hatch or estate.
Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI Ghia
(115 PS) 5-Door MPV
>Ford direct vehicle
>Anti-lock brakes >Driver seat height adjustment
>Driver Passenger and front side air bags >Alloy
wheels >Remote central door locking >Computer
>Cruise control >Electric/heated door mirrors >1
integrated child seat >Front/rear electric windows
>More than five head restraints >Power-assisted
steering >Radio/cassette/cd changer >Rear wash wipe
>Rev counter >Driver seat lumbar support >Split rear
seat >Trip computer >Rake/reach adjustable steering
column/wheel >Tinted glass >Immobiliser >Front fog
lamps >Front and rear park assist
Of course, you wouldn't be considering the Galaxy as
an option in the first place if you weren't
interested in flexibility and on this front, you
shouldn't be disappointed. The two rows of passenger
seats can be folded down or unclipped and removed
completely (though they're so heavy, you'd need to
be a fitness fanatic to do it too often). The front
seats also swivel round to face the rear passengers,
facilitating picnics or on-the-spot conferences. It
all adds up to a car which could make an awful lot
of sense to the right executive.
Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI Ghia
(130 PS) 5-Door MPV
>Anti-lock
brakes >Driver seat height adjustment >Driver
Passenger and front side air bags >Automatic air
conditioning >Remote central door locking >Computer
>Cruise control >Electric/heated door mirrors
>Front/rear electric windows >More than five head
restraints >Power-assisted steering >Driver seat
lumbar support >Trip computer >Rake/reach adjustable
steering column/wheel >Tinted glass >Immobiliser
>Ford direct
