2:04pm Friday 26th February 2010
By Steve Nelson
This was a special occasion. Ford had gathered together a few dozen British motoring journalists in southern Spain to introduce them to the revised Galaxy and S-Max people carriers.
The last time Ford had gone to this much trouble to court the press was at the launch of the new Ford Fiesta in Tuscany, and we all know how important that launch turned to be for the Blue Oval company. We quite rightly raved about the Fiesta and then watched it sail up the sales charts and sit at the top through the whole of last year.
So here we were in foreign climes again, with more than a few of us wondering why Ford was making such a big fuss about refreshing two stalwart models that were already established as top of their class. We were about to find out.
Joining the journalists was a clutch of Ford’s big guns from the engineering, design and marketing fields, all straining at the leash to tell us not so much about what we could see on show but what has been developed beneath the skin.
Among them was Nick FitzGerald, a Yorkie whose father had been sports editor of the former Yorkshire Evening Press and who now holds the job title of chief programme engineer for S-Max and Galaxy.
He grew up in York, went to the Minster song school and fell in love with the trains he regularly visited at the National Railway Museum.
Now resident in Belgium, he took the chance to reminisce with me about York’s great manufacturing past... the smells from the chocolate factories and sugar plant, the sight of hundreds of cyclists exiting the carriageworks at knocking-off time, the buzz of a city that could not only show off its history, but also make things.
Nick is an expert at making things. And he is first on stage to tell us about why this is a special occasion.
Ford has chosen the new Galaxy and S-Max to be the first models in Europe to utilise its new EcoBoost STCi four-cylinder turbocharged petrol direct injection engine matched to Powershift automatic transmission. A strange decision, perhaps, as more than 90 per cent of customers for these cars opt for the diesel variant.
But Ford is keen to steer customers towards this super new two-litre engine, which combines more power and performance with better fuel economy and low CO2 emissions – an improvement of up to 20 per cent compared with conventional petrol engines with a similar power output.
And Ford is not exaggerating when it describes this engine technology as creating a new driving experience. You get the feeling that this is the start of something big. It is Ford’s alternative to diesel or hybrid power units.
Ford will introduce EcoBoost engines into its small and medium car line-up and by 2012 will be producing 1.3 million annually. Expect the Mondeo and C-Max to be the next to get the petrol engine downsizing treatment.
The PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission was available to test with the EcoBoost petrol engine, with which it comes as standard. It is available as an option with the two-litre 140bhp and 163bhp diesel engines.
Within seconds of pulling away in the S-Max, I begin to admire the seamless movement through the gearing and punch of the engine. It’s truly a heaven-made match, nothing short of sensational in the delivery.
On the road this performance translates into a smooth, refined, willing and surprisingly quiet experience. This engine demonstrates a creamy smoothness and does much to highlight the S-Max’s potential when driven briskly.
With stronger low-end torque and a more responsive performance, the EcoBoost SCTi is the engine of tomorrow, arriving any day now in the showrooms.
At the same time, Ford’s diesel offerings for the new S-Max and Galaxy has been improved. The latest 2.0litre Ford Duratorq TDCi engine family is now available in three power levels – 115, 140 and 163bhp – for the first time. The 115bhp and 163bhp engines have a combined fuel consumption figure of 49.5mpg and a CO2 emission of 152g/km. The 140bhp version arrives later in the year.
Yes, both the S-Max and Galaxy have significant improvements to their appearance for 2010, but the big story is this new engine-transmission tie-up. Now we know what all the fuss was about.
Both cars get the blind spot radar-based info system, which identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot and lights up and LED indicator light on the corresponding side view mirror, an adjustable speed limiter device that enables the driver to adjust the top speed and prevents further acceleration and a premium sound system.
The bonnets of both cars are more sculptured.
S-Max has a new front facia with bolder trapezoidal grille, while Galxy has a bolder grille with chrome bars.
Both cars get LED tail lights.
S-Max features a chrome strip surrounding the glass area.
Both cars now have the Ford fold-flat seat system to create huge load areas with ease.
High-spec S-Max models get a one-piece panorama roof with power sun blinds.
Interiors for both cars come with a range of options that allow for such features as full or partial leather trim, new graphics, overhead console and child-watch mirror.
Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit producing 203bhp.
Transmission: Six-speed DSG gearbox delivering power to the front wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 137mph, 0-62mph 8.5 seconds.
Economy: 34.8mpg.
CO2 Rating: 189g/km.
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit developing 163bhp.
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.
Performance: Maximum speed 126mph, 0-62mph 9.8 seconds.
Economy: 49.6mpg.
CO2 Rating: 152g/km.
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