Press Release
Powertrains and Driving Dynamics
- Strong, four-engine line-up for the new Ford Galaxy delivering extra performance and economy
- More power and torque from new 24-valve V6 petrol engine, with improved fuel economy and emissions
- High pressure fuel injection technology transforms performance and economy for the two 1.9-litre diesel variants
- Smooth and flexible 2.3-litre petrol engine with new refinements
- Galaxy transmissions now include six-speed manuals and ‘Select-Shift’ automatics for the first time
- Outstanding driving dynamics revised in line with new engines, with steering enhanced across the range and uprated brakes with the new V6 engine
- Sports Pack option with sports suspension and sports body-styling kit
- Sporty new V6 engine delivers more power and improved economy
The impressive engine line-up for the Ford Galaxy is now headed by an all new 24-valve, 2.8-litre V6. This delivers 17 per cent more power than the previous 12-valve V6, as well as an eight percent improvement in fuel consumption and lower emissions. Significantly higher torque across the range contributes to a notably more sporty performance, and this is complemented by the two new transmission options: a close-ratio six-speed manual box and a five-speed ‘Select-Shift’ automatic that also allows for ‘push up, push down’ sequential manual gear-changes.
The new V6 delivers 204 PS (150 kW), up from 174 PS (128kW), while maximum torque is both increased and delivered at lower engine speed: 268 Nm at 3,214 rpm, instead of 235 Nm at 4,200 rpm. In combination with the six-speed manual transmission, the new engine cuts the 0-62mph acceleration time from 11.8 to 9.9 seconds, and the official ‘combined’ fuel consumption figure improves from 23.9mpg to 26.2mpg.
The engine employs a lightweight alloy cylinder head with two overhead camshafts of a new weight-saving design. A new intake manifold runner control system improves self-charging across the range to give a flatter torque curve. The head is a completely new casting, designed for better engine breathing, and features variable valve-timing on both intake and outlet to improve torque at low engine speed and boost power output at higher engine speeds. A new engine management system optimises fuel economy and emissions, while other engine improvements include valves operated by roller cam followers to reduce friction, modified pistons, revisions to the engine cooling and oil circuits, and additional stiffening ribs on the cylinder block to reduce noise and vibration.
The new six-speed manual transmission for the V6 Galaxy has close-ratio gearing to suit the engine’s sporty performance. By providing a better match between engine and transmission across the range, the six-speed improves the car’s overall performance feel, as well as benefiting fuel consumption and reducing engine noise, especially at cruising speeds.
As an alternative to the manual box, the new V6 is also available with a five-speed ‘Select-Shift’ automatic transmission, which allows the driver the option of sequential manual gear changes. To select this mode instead of fully automatic, the gear selector lever is moved sideways into a special track, then changes are simply made by pushing the gear-lever briefly forward to change up, or backwards to change down. A display within the instrument cluster tells the driver which gear is currently selected.
For safety, it is only possible to engage a new gear when engine speed and vehicle speed are compatible, and the transmission also has a failsafe system which will intervene to prevent the engine over-speeding or under-idling. The kickdown strategy also changes, so that the transmission only shifts to the next higher gear shortly before reaching maximum engine speed.
New high-tech diesel engines deliver improved torque and economy
The two powerful, turbo-charged diesel engine options for the new Ford Galaxy feature state-of-the-art high pressure fuel injection technology to deliver outstanding torque and fuel consumption, as well as reduced exhaust emissions. The new, 1.9-litre TDi engine is available in two variants, a 90 PS (66kW) unit delivering 240 Nm torque and an 115 PS (85 kW), which produces an outstanding 310 Nm. Their fuel consumption figures are just 43.5mpg and 42.8mpg respectively (official ‘combined’ figures, with manual transmission).
The main technological advance for these diesels is the addition of a ‘unit injector system’ to the previous 1.9-litre TDi engine design. The system delivers fuel at extremely high pressure during the injection process, up to 2050 bar, and permits very precise control of the fuel quantity and atomisation. The result is a more complete mixing of fuel and air, improving combustion to deliver benefits for both power output and emission levels.
Each cylinder has a unit injector installed directly in the cylinder head, which incorporates the functions of a fuel injection pump, a control unit and a fuel injector into a single component. Other features of the engines include an intercooler and exhaust gas recirculation system. The 90PS version has a fixed geometry turbocharger, and the 115PS a variable geometry one.
Both diesels take a six-speed manual transmission as standard, similar to the V6, but with a wider set of gear ratios for optimised performance and fuel economy. The 115PS variant is also available with the option of the new five-speed ‘Select-Shift' automatic with manual sequential gear-changing mode.
Added refinement for flexible 2.3-litre engine
Ford’s widely acclaimed 145 PS (107 kW) 2.3-litre DOHC petrol engine completes the line-up for the new Galaxy, now with improvements in a variety of areas. Overall driveability is enhanced with new engine calibration, emission levels are reduced following a comprehensive list of actions, vehicle security is enhanced with a new encrypted immobiliser system, and a new transmission mounting system reduces powertrain noise. A new ‘soft start’ alternator improves vehicle start-up, as it is quieter and provides a reduced load during the first couple of seconds.
The standard five-speed manual transmission has been improved, while the automatic option has been considerably enhanced, to provide a four-speed ‘Select-Shift’ transmission (with manual sequential gear-changing) for the 2.3-litre Ford Galaxy. Ford’s engineers have paid particular attention to matching the characteristics of the engine and this new automatic transmission, to provide a more sporty feel that is emphasised by the ‘Select-Shift’ change, while retaining the engine’s good fuel economy.
Class-leading driving dynamics
The new Ford Galaxy continues to set class standards for driving dynamics, as it has ever since the car’s original launch, with a carefully-judged balance between steering, road-holding, handling and comfort. Steering feel is now further improved on all models, while suspension settings have been re-tuned to suit the new engines. A new, optional Sports Pack (including sports suspension and purposeful body-styling package) is now available, and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) is introduced as standard with the V6 engine (also optional for the 115 PS diesel), together with uprated brakes for the V6.
The whole Galaxy range benefits from a new steering column, which is rake and reach adjustable, and has reduced friction to give improved steering feel at all speeds, and the purposeful new steering wheel also adds to the driver’s overall feeling of control.
Spring and damper rates have been reviewed and optimised to suit the new powertrains. The new Ford Galaxy is also ideally suited to the recently introduced Sports Pack, which includes a new sports suspension package to improve handling and reduce roll with only minimal trade-off in ride comfort. The package reduces ride height by 25 mm, incorporates high performance shock absorbers, higher rated springs all round and larger diameter front and rear anti-roll bars and is matched to a purposeful body styling kit.
ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) now makes its debut in the Galaxy range and one of its first appearances as standard equipment in this market segment. It will be available as standard with the V6 engine, or as an option on other models. An active safety system, ESP helps the driver retain control under extreme conditions, intervening almost imperceptibly to correct understeer or oversteer.
The ESP sensors measure ‘yaw rate’, transverse acceleration, steering wheel angle and the speed of the four road wheels. Their output is used to compare vehicle behaviour with a dynamics handling map stored in a special on-board computer. When the system detects a tendency for the vehicle to move off the chosen line, engine power is reduced and the brakes are momentarily applied to individual wheels, to bring the vehicle back on course.
Brakes have also been uprated for the more powerful new V6 engine. The vented front discs are increased from 280 mm to 313 mm, while the rear discs change from 280 mm solid to 294 mm vented.
Other features relating to driving dynamics of the new Ford Galaxy include:
- Anti-lock brakes as standard across the range, with disc brakes front and rear
- Rack and pinion steering with power assistance
- Suspension by independent MacPherson struts with lower wishbones at the front and independent semi-tailing arms on sub-frame at the rear. Anti-roll bars front and rear, and gas-filled dampers all round
- Traction control optional with the 2.3-litre engine
