Ford Mondeo Concept to Debut at Paris

Press Release

Page 1: Mondeo Concept
Page 2: Coupe-Cabriolet / S-Max
Page 3: Galaxy / FlexiFuel
Page 4: Ranger / RS WRC

NEW FORD GALAXY – TRAVEL FIRST CLASS

The new generation Ford Galaxy takes the attributes of flexibility, spaciousness, and safe and comfortable driving to new levels, enhancing its 'Travel First Class' reputation.

New Galaxy has been designed and developed in-house by Ford of Europe, and is being built at the company’s Genk Assembly Plant in Belgium alongside its sibling, the new Ford S-MAX, and the all-new 2007 Ford Mondeo. This marks a major departure from the previous joint-venture model.

New Galaxy joins the S-MAX in introducing key elements of Ford's 'kinetic design' styling. First seen last year in the striking Ford iosis concept car, this creative new form language expresses energy in motion, resulting in dynamic and distinctive shapes in the bold body forms of Ford Galaxy and Ford S-MAX.

The Ford family face of both vehicles shows their obvious relation, yet the only common parts in the external body panels are the head lights and the bonnet. They really are two distinctly different vehicles – the Ford S-MAX roof height is about one hand width lower than the Galaxy’s (1607mm v 1676mm). All other body panels, as well as doors and glass, are individual. Thus, each vehicle’s distinguished design style expresses its particular character.

Galaxy Innovation

New Galaxy features a wide array of intelligent innovations, many of them new to Ford, and many designed to provide superior levels of passive and active safety.

These include a new Active Suspension System with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert. An
all-new driver's knee airbag also debuts, along with a permanent Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Also, in keeping with Ford’s no-compromise approach to safety and the evolving EU legislative requirements, measures have been taken to deliver an increased level of pedestrian protection.

Standard on Galaxy is Ford's latest-generation HMI (Human Machine Interface), the premium driver information system. Also available are the advanced Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC), a DVD entertainment system with headrest-integrated LCD screens, Bluetooth® connectivity, and voice control.

Galaxy Space

New Ford Galaxy takes functionality and flexibility to new heights. Both new Galaxy and the S-MAX feature the innovative Ford FoldFlatSystem (FFS). Easily moving and individually folding second and third row seats bring new levels of flexibility and modularity to the class.

In total, 32 seating configurations are possible with all seats remaining on board. The second and third rows can be quickly folded down to form a flat and even load floor almost as big – 2.0 metres by 1.15 metres – as a comfortable bed. Even with all of the rear seats in use, Galaxy still offers up to 435 litres of luggage space. Galaxy can be specified with a large panorama glass roof and an overhead storage console to enhance the "Travel First Class" experience.

Galaxy Driving Experience

Ford created the new Galaxy with recognisable Ford dynamics. This signature expertise in ride and handling is now expressed by the new title Ford PrecisionDrive. Galaxy’s suspension, offering more than 200mm of spring travel, is tuned for a relaxed ride, yet is still surprisingly dynamic and controllable.

Galaxy can now be specified with Ford’s optional new active suspension system with Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD). Ford’s new CCD technology effectively provides adaptive damping by rapid damper valve control. This means that each damper valve can be adjusted almost every two tenths of a second to guarantee the best interaction between comfort and road contact. Heave, pitch and roll of the vehicle are controlled by the system, improving handling and stability.

Galaxy Safety

Ford has equipped both the new Galaxy and S-MAX with a no-compromise array of active and passive safety features. While the S-MAX joins the latest Ford Focus model in receiving a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP for adult occupant protection, it is anticipated that the new Galaxy will achieve a similar result.

For child protection, the Ford Focus C-MAX set the standard as the first vehicle to be awarded a 4-star rating by Euro NCAP, and Ford Focus and S-MAX have maintained this, while new Galaxy is designed to replicate this important achievement. Both S-MAX and Galaxy feature a three-anchor ISOFIX system, with Ford dealers now offering appropriate and specially selected child seats for children of all sizes and ages.

Galaxy's safety story begins with a solid foundation – an ultra-stiff body structure that reduces the deformation of the passenger safety cell. Ford's Intelligent Protection System has been enhanced for the new Galaxy to include latest-technology front air bags and a new driver's knee air bag as well as side mounted thorax air bags for the front seats plus window curtain air bags which protect all seat rows.

Also available now on new Galaxy is Ford's Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC), and an all-new active suspension system which integrates:

• Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) to improve suspension performance and comfort in all road conditions and interact with the vehicle’s ESP for better dynamic vehicle behaviour
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) and Collision Mitigation by Braking – driver aids based on radar distance control
• Hill-Launch-Assist (HLA), which allows the driver to release the brake pedal and to step on the accelerator pedal without the vehicle rolling backwards
• Ford’s new Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Galaxy Engines:

2.0-litre Duratec HE petrol engine

This 16-valve, four-cylinder powerplant offers 145PS and peak torque of 190Nm. The powerful Duratec HE petrol 16-valve engine is lightweight and compact, matched with Ford’s proven MTX-75 Durashift five-speed manual transmission.

Duratorq TDCi 1.8-litre diesel engine

This proven turbo-charged Ford common-rail diesel engine offers 125PS and a steady state peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). Also available in Galaxy is a power-reduced 100PS version of the Duratorq TDCi diesel to suit the cost-of-ownership parameters driven by insurance and tax rates in certain markets. Two transmissions will be available on Galaxy, the Durashift MTX75 five-speed manual or the Durashift six-speed manual.

Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre diesel engine

This high-performance, 2.0-litre TDCi diesel offers 140PS and a peak torque of 320Nm (340Nm under transient overboost). It comes with Ford’s Durashift
six-speed manual transmission as standard.

Galaxy's place in the Ford family

The all-new Galaxy sits at the top of Ford's European product portfolio. New Galaxy’s striking body design, derived from Ford’s kinetic design language, displays the same futuristic modernism as its sporty sibling, the Ford S-MAX. Yet it makes a statement more geared towards comfort and quality, building on the
first-class credentials of its predecessor.

Both the all-new Ford Galaxy and the S-MAX are born from an entirely new vehicle architecture driven by Ford Motor Company's Global Shared Technologies initiative. With this unique approach to product development, Ford has been able to design and engineer two vehicles which, while sharing many of their core technologies, present themselves as individual products with unique appeal, starting with their design.

Since its original launch in 1995, the Ford Galaxy has grown from strength to strength, achieving a strong second position within an increasingly aggressive segment of the market. Following a major refresh in 2000, Galaxy introduced new levels of craftsmanship to the Ford range, and continued to grow its segment share in Europe. While the first generation Galaxy was a joint-venture model, the all-new model has been developed entirely inside Ford of Europe, and is being built exclusively by the company at its Genk plant in Belgium.

More than 50,000 units of new Galaxy and S-MAX have been built at Genk since production started earlier in 2006.

FORD FLEXIFUEL VEHICLES LEAD THE MARKET

• Ford extends European leading market position for bio-ethanol vehicles
• More than 22,000 Ford flexifuel vehicles sold in Sweden since 2001
• Ford flexifuel vehicles now available in ten European countries
• Other European markets to follow
• More than 1,5 million bio-ethanol vehicles built by Ford in past decade
• Ford Motor Company to invest £1 billion in development of environmental technologies

Ford continues to set the pace for ethanol-powered vehicles in Europe. With more than 22,000 Ford flexifuel vehicles sold in Sweden since 2001, it proves to be a resounding success – 40 percent of all Ford sales in this country are flexifuel vehicles.

These figures indicate the market potential for bio-ethanol powered vehicles. Ford Focus and Focus C-MAX flexifuel models are currently available in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway – with other markets to come.

Ford aims to broaden the public knowledge of bio-ethanol powered vehicles and encourage more consumers to adopt this technology. Societal stakeholders have been invited to join this initiative for a concerted effort toward making mobility more sustainable. Governmental support such as tax incentives is fundamental to stimulating further customer interest and infrastructure development.

Ford flexifuel vehicles are capable of running on a blend of so-called E85 (85% bio-ethanol and 15% petrol), on petrol only or on any mix of both combined in one fuel tank. This system has clear advantages for customers and the environment.

For customers it means flexibility in terms of choice and availability of fuel, for the environment the use of bio-ethanol in combination with Ford FFV technology can lead to an 80 percent reduction of overall CO 2 emissions compared with a conventional petrol engine. The highly affordable flexifuel models are part of Ford's broad portfolio of environmentally advanced technologies.

Significant commitment to the environment

Ford Motor Company recently announced that it is going to invest at least £1 billion in the UK developing a range of globally applicable environmental technologies for its Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands. This engineering programme is part of a broad strategy designed to deliver an extensive list of technologies including lightweight, hybrid electric and bio-fuel vehicles.

Worldwide availability

Ford's commitment throughout its global operations to flexifuel vehicles also includes four new models for the North American market, a Focus model for Thailand capable of running on petrol and a specific bio-ethanol/petrol mix, and the long-established availability of Ford flexifuel vehicles and dedicated bio-ethanol technology in Brazil. In the past decade, Ford has built more than 1.5 million ethanol-powered vehicles worldwide.