Test drive Ford Galaxy 2000 - 2006 Minivan
The luxury of space
It was this style that Ford Motor Company designers chose the Galaxy minivan restyle, withdrawing it from the VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra twinets, produced at the company jointly with Volkswagen AG.The simultaneous appearance in 1995 of the Three minivans Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra was designed to defeat the Renault Espace monopoly in the European market. To this end, the American and German companies even went to create a joint venture assembly.
The high degree of unification, of course, laid out their print on them cars were similar to each other, like brothers.
However, the competitiveness of Galaxy is not only among the three three, but also among the minivans in the European market, forced the Ford leadership to seriously think about the individualization of its car. Then, in 1997, the concept of luxury of space began to take shape. Moreover, this very luxury meant not only the worthy organization of the internal volume of the machine, but also the sensations that the person who chose Galaxy should experience.
The interior of the Ford Minivan was radically processed, strengthening the classical features. This is especially noticeable in torpedo with its calm geometric forms. The use of plastic with the texture and color of the metal added the design of lacelessness, which also contributes to the feeling of space. Naturally, all this entailed a change in the panel of devices, steering wheel, seats and God the news of what else. But in general, it should be noted that the internal surroundings of the new Galaxy really causes positive emotions.
The minivan we met, had the performance of GHIA (luxury), which imposed its obligations to equip the car with additional equipment. The buyer is offered, to choose from, the navigation system of two brands, a game console (monitors displays are located in the head captives of the front seats), a mobile phone and the possibility of accessing the Internet (another aspect of the Ford's concept of luxury of space).
I deliberately lower the story about the abilities of the Galaxy salon to transform for minivans is the norm today. I only note that the car and in a more modest design (Trend) is very humanity of all kinds of shelves, containers, mesh, holders, even clothes for clothing are designed to ensure that passengers are as convenient as possible. When traveling around the city, the middle seat of the second row can take a roomy refrigerator, however, this is already from order equipment.
Outside, Galaxy carries a fingerprint for Ford. Designers successfully slased the blade on the plasticine layout the image turned out to be memorable. Absolute novelty distinguishes the radiator cladding and head optics. Moreover, optics based on lenses are much more effective than the previous one. In Galaxy, if you want, you can implant xenon optical elements.
The back is less advantageous, although it has undergone significant changes: starting from the configuration of overall lanterns and ending with an amazingly soft and light mechanism for opening a massive look of the rear door.
The list of passive and active elements of car safety is significantly expanded, which most directly affects the comfort and running qualities of the minivan.
Review of the driver's place, handling, smoothness of the undoubted advantage of Galaxy. In any case, from these parameters of the machine you enjoy.
But the bunch of engine-transmission puzzled with its work. For example, in the most version we liked, equipped with a V-shaped working volume of 2.8 liters and a 6-speed KP, an unnatural trembling on the gearbox handle was annoying when gas discharging. And this despite the fact that a cable drive is used here.
The tandem of a 2.3-liter gasoline engine and a 4-speed automatic gearbox, supplemented by the Select-Shift function, did not inspire. It seemed that an automatic machine for another engine. At least this one, because there is also a similar five -speed one. The agent did not add to the car and the transition to the manual control mode. (With such tricks, we already dealt with other manufacturers.)
The interaction of the 115-horsepower diesel with a 6-speed box also disappointed. We are faced with uneven operation of the engine in some modes and the lack of elasticity. The developers' attempt to find a middle ground between the dynamics and the fuel economy, in our opinion, did not achieve the desired result.
From the whole variety of power units and gearboxes, I wanted to add my combinations (2.8v6 + 5-speed automatic, 2.3 + 6-speed box, etc.). It is clear that this is the subjectivity of pure water, but you look, and the impression of the car would be completely different.
The updated Ford Galaxy will soon go on sale. Now, as we were told, intensive work is underway to eliminate shortcomings. In the basic configuration, the machine will cost at the VW Sharan level ($ 27000). Everything else in accordance with the capabilities of the buyer.
Ford Galaxy will get to our market no earlier than the beginning of next year. Firstly, Russian dealers relate to the category of exoticism, which is also confirmed by sales volume of not more than 0.7% of the total number of foreign cars sold. Secondly, Volkswagen has not yet given the go-ahead for the Galaxy set of his V-shaped six until it is completely adapted to our operating conditions.
Technical characteristics Ford Galaxy 2.8 V6 Ghia
Surgery. Mass (MAX), kg 2014 dimensions (length/width/height), mm 4641/1810/1759 Max. speed, km/h 217 overclocking time to 100 km/h, with 9.9 fuel consumption (funny), l/100 km 10.6 VR6 engine, gasoline.; slave. volume, cm3 2792; Power, L.S. at MIN-1 204/6000; Cool. moment, NM at MIN-1 268/3214; power supply system. Injection Transmission Mean., 6th. tire size 215/55R16W Wheel suspension is unenvalrated.; Type Mcpherson Brake disc., Ventylir. steering wheel. The mechanism is rack, with amplification.
Text: Sergey Zhukov
A source: Magazine 5 wheel [08/2000]
