| Ford is giving
visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show a glimpse into
the future for its largest people carrier, the Ford
Galaxy. An entirely new Ford Galaxy is on track
for launch in the middle of 2006, and its design
direction is being previewed exclusively at the Show
this September. True to its function and elegant in
execution, the Galaxy showcar is designed to
emphasise comfort and luxury while providing
spacious accommodation for up to seven people.
The new model will also blend Ford’s
well-renowned characteristics of supreme driving
quality with high levels of interior sophistication,
innovative stowage solutions and the very latest
technology.
A key new model for Ford of Europe
The new generation Ford Galaxy will be the first
full-size people carrier developed entirely using
in-house Ford of Europe expertise. Developed by
Ford's European Product Development team and due to
be built at Ford's Genk plant in Belgium, this
vehicle will be a key product for Ford of Europe.
It builds on the success of the current
joint-venture model, and in particular the strengths
that have made the Ford Galaxy such as success.
Galaxy sits at the top of Ford's European model
range, alongside the recently enhanced Ford Mondeo
and soon to be joined by the production version of
the Ford SAV Concept.
The SAV Concept was seen at the 2005 Geneva Motor
Show in March, and in June was confirmed as the
basis for an additional new Ford of Europe carline,
also to be launched in 2006.
Designed for a specific customer
"As we look to introduce a new generation of
Ford Galaxy, we have in mind a very specific
customer. That is someone who may already own a Ford
Galaxy and knows what they want from this type of
vehicle," said Martin Smith, Executive Design
Director, Ford of Europe. "Our goal with a new
Galaxy will be to offer a true seven seat vehicle
that provides the product values this core customer
group desires. As you can see from this preview
model, all the elements are coming into place, from
the refined exterior design to an unprecedented
level of interior room and functionality. We think
this vehicle will excel in this highly competitive
segment."
The preview model shows how a new full-size
people mover can continue to build the "travel first
class" mantle currently expressed by Ford Galaxy.
Ford designers are creating a vehicle that
emphasizes visually these key values of luxury,
space and flexibility.
Design philosophy emphasises
space and luxury
"The next Galaxy, like the
Ford SAV Concept, will feature
elements of our evolving
'kinetic' design philosophy,"
said Smith. "They reflect
style with substance, and help
to express the vehicle's dynamic
driving capabilities."
Full exterior surfaces
spanning taut dynamic lines are
distinct elements of Ford's new
design language and are evident
in the Frankfurt showcar. |
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| A
high roofline is incorporated
into this form language to
provide the interior headroom
and excellent all-round
visibility expected by large
people carrier customers. It
employs Ford's overtly
pronounced wheelarch lips and
strong shoulders to provide a
balanced side view that sets off
the generous, glassy appearance
of the passenger cabin. 18-inch
alloy wheels help to provide a
solid stance of the vehicle
viewed from the side.
Distinctive new look
The front of the new Galaxy
preview model has a
characteristic angled nose
combined with a distinctive new
Ford headlamp shape, emphasizing
the fresh new Ford face.
The headlamp units
incorporate an Advanced Front
Light System (AFLS), featuring
moving halogen lamps with 12
degrees of swivel that provide
an enhanced view for the driver
that is particularly useful when
negotiating twisty country
roads. It also provides directed
lighting that assists with
specific, low-speed cornering
movements such as turning into
driveways.
Another notable design
feature at the front of the
showcar is a split front grille.
Spanning the headlamps is a slim
upper grille, which is balanced
by a deeper lower grille to
provide a refined, luxurious
appearance entirely in keeping
with the car's functional
attributes.
The generous glass area flows
through to the rear of the car,
where a panoramic rear screen
ensures excellent all-round
visibility. The rear lamps are
angled and feature clear lenses
to provide a jewelled effect.
The wrap around rear tail lamps
are sleek and elegant but still
allow a practical large tailgate
opening ensuring a low load
height and giving customers
maximum benefit from the
spacious interior. |
|
A
key feature is the high H-point
seating that provides the driver
with a commanding driving
position. There is a sweeping
flow through the centre console,
which features an ergonomically
positioned high-mounted gear
shifter.
Unique Fixed Glass Roof
Another distinctive and
highly useful feature on the new
Galaxy preview model is a fixed
glass roof and adjustable roof
rack. The fixed glass roof
extends to just above the
backrest of the second row seat,
providing passengers with an
airy ambience.
The showcar also integrates a
roof rack into the roofline. The
roof rack bars are designed to
move to the rear of the vehicle
to act as an aerodynamic
spoiler. This has the effect of
helping to keep the rear window
clearer during wet driving
conditions.
Space and Flexibility
Utilising to the full the
space for seven passengers, the
new Galaxy will offer a high
level of flexibility in a
three-row configuration. On the
Frankfurt car, a new fold flat
seating system allows smart use
of the space behind the driver.
Though the fold flat seats
provide a great deal of space
flexibility, the key benefit is
that the seats always remain on
board to allow the configuration
of the vehicle to be changed
easily.
Galaxy Control System
The preview model for the new
Ford Galaxy introduces some
important new technologies.
Among them is a Human Machine
Interface (HMI) system that
defines the dialogue between the
driver and the vehicle. This
looks set to become invaluable
to drivers as they will be able
to increase their level of
functional control via an
intuitive four-spoke toggle on
each side of the steering wheel
that operates several vehicle
functions. Through its HMI
system Galaxy drivers will be
able to customize vehicle
settings through a single point
of contact.
Full technical and feature
details of the production
version of the new Ford Galaxy
will be announced closer to
launch next year. |
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