Galaxy, S-MAX revisions

Ford's Galaxy is not just the top selling large MPV in Ireland, but along with its sibling S-MAX has held an almost indecently large market share of such vehicles, writes Brian Byrne.

Now the blue oval brand is launching improved versions of both, even if the numbers here in the large MPV segment are way down with the demise of the Celtic Tiger.

Common to both cars is a brand new petrol 2.0 and a strongly improved diesel of similar capacity. Given Ireland's dramatic shift to diesel since the CO2 taxation system arrived, interest in the former is likely to be limited. But it is worth talking about quite simply because it is a truly good motor, and the flag-carrier of Ford's new range of EcoBoost turbocharged and direct injection petrol powertrains.

This is important because Ford is in the process of changing all its petrol powerplant 'families' to this technology, which makes for more efficient engines with seriously improved performance. EcoBoost was launched with a 3.2 V6 in the US, where it has been well received as giving V8 performance with V6 economy and better.

In addition to the 203hpp 2.0 EcoBoost powering the Galaxy/S-MAX, the company has a 140hp 1.6 DI ready for duty in the new C-MAX and its Focus companions, and an even smaller one is in the works but they're not ready to talk about it yet.

The EcoBoost technology offers torquiness close to that of diesel, and is particularly effective at the 'long' end of the curve, where the car is in the critical 60-100km/h driving range. It provides much greater top gear flexibility than the diesel.

The 2.0 DI replaces the previous 2.3 petrol unit, and in addition to better performance there's a 20 percent improvement in emissions when the new engine along with the new dual-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission is compared to the auto version of the 2.3.

In Irish terms, the new petrol engine is E rated, while the 2.0 TDCI is C rated. That's why the takeup of the the DI is going to be limited in Ireland.

The petrol is a really sweet motor, with excellent response across the rev range, and great smoothness in the drive. The diesel is considerably more refined than it used to be, now at the top end of the competition in this respect rather than somewhere around the middle.

The two cars have gotten some sheetmetal changes as well as some upgrades in interior packaging and comfort and safety options.

The S-MAX, which is positioned as the sportier of the two, has sharper sculpts and detailing in the nose, as well as new LED daylight running lights in the lower front bumper. The rear has also been reshaped. Galaxy has been more gently tweaked in style terms, gaining new roof runners and elements of Ford's current 'kinetic design' up front. The result is rather more elegance.

Inside, in addition to some new colours and trim materials, there's a new centre console style.

Aircon is standard across the range, as is ESP. Alloy wheels come in 16/17/18-inch versions depending on grade. And there's a lot more beside.

Tipping through the mountain roads of Spain's Andalusia region in the S-MAX petrol gave me plenty of opportunity to play with the new PowerShift transmission. It is very smooth indeed and helped make short work of some seriously winding roads. Perhaps it isn't as fast as VW's DSG equivalent, though that may be my imagination and I'll reserve absolute judgement on that until I have more experience with it. On the other hand, the manual 6-cog I drove with the diesel in the Galaxy is as smart a shifter as you could wish for.

The brief encounter did involve lots of driving, and I was reminded of just how well built modern big Fords are. Galaxy and S-MAX share their platform and assembly line with the Mondeo, and both are as tough as that saloon's deserved reputation in this regard.

The revised Galaxy and S-MAX are due here in April. No prices have yet been revealed, though there's a promise that in line with recent price drops of other models it will represent value.