Ford Galaxy test drive since 2010 Minivan
And the whole world is not enough
Sometimes even competitors are forced to work together, but, as a rule, only until it becomes possible to get to their feet without outside help ... Probably, many remember that the temporary union even concluded Ford and Volkswagen, who have never experienced sympathy for each other: the Ford Galaxy model of the mid-90s was nothing more than a spilled Volkswagen Sharan. Apparently, for the independent release of a mini-wen of this type (such that we like the European consumer, we are not talking about American cars now) Ford lack of experience. So he turned to the famous master of different genres to VW. True, cooperation did not last long: as soon as the European Ford branch had the opportunity, it took up the release of a mini-van developed independently. Now let's go from the history of the appearance of the new Galaxy and talk about what kind of car it is.
PORTRAIT
The general proportions of the latter Galaxy are approximately the same as that of the previous generation car, with the only difference being that it found a lot of elements characteristic of the Ford company style with a new line of label. In general, the car is quite recognizable, but the devil that can outraged overall calm is not enough.
The interior no longer seems so sterile: thought out, with a mundane architecture, but at the same time with a well -felt highly artistic beginning. In general, it is difficult to remain indifferent to such a stylish salon, and even more so to experience discontent. Cool product, you will not say anything! It makes no sense to talk about the capacity, and so it is clear that in a mini-van it cannot be closely by definition.
It is believed that the mini-van is not obliged to behave well on the asphalt. But to demonstrate on the road a bright character to a car of this type is not forbidden. Of course, the Ford Galaxy is not quite a car for the driver, but it shares the platform with a Ford S-Max mini-wan that can actively move. So, Galaxy is able to please the driver with confident behavior on the road, although compared to the same S-Max, he is still more focused on comfort.
Characteristics
Type of body mini-ven
The number of doors is 5
The number of places 7
Length, mm 4820 mm
Width, mm 1854 mm
Height, mm 1723 mm
Wheel base, mm 2850 mm
Suspension type:
Front
The back
independent, with racks like MacPherson
independent multi -link
Type of drive front
Brakes:
Front
rear
disk ventilated
disk
Gas tank volume 70 liters
Passive safety rating*, protection:
adults
children
pedestrians
*****
****
**
* According to EURONCAP.
Choosing a body Galaxy does not offer special diversity in terms of body choice, Ford for buyers. Moreover, even the wheelbase here is one (some competitors have elongated versions). And the S-Max, albeit built on the same platform, still position as an independent model.
Sources of movement
Like many other companies, Ford has accumulated a lot of unexpressed cars of the previous year of production, including the Galaxy model. Therefore, when determining the minimum cost of each modification, we will focus on 2008 cars.
So, the basic gasoline unit with a volume of 2 liters produces 145 hp. The only possible mechanical box, with five speeds. Focus of such an engine is quite enough, but Galaxy is only enough to accelerate to hundreds of 11.2 s and develop a speed of 194 km/h on the highway. The fuel consumption is 11.2 l/100 km in the city and 6.5 liters on the highway. The minimum price of a car with such a motor is 774 thousand rubles.
Surcharge for a 1.8-liter diesel (also aggregated only with manual transmission) 85 thousand rubles. His dynamics is slightly worse than that of a gasoline counterpart (11.9 C to hundreds), but fuel consumption is much more modest (only 8 liters in the city and 5.3 liters on the highway). Note that this unit is installed only on the version of Core and Trend. In addition, this engine is not available on 2009 cars.
To get a Galaxy with a 2.3-liter engine and automatic transmission (the minimum cost of a 2009 car is 1,241,300 rubles), 28 thousand rubles must be added to the price of a diesel model. True, the choice is quite dubious: the accelerated dynamics is weaker than that of the 2-liter machine, the maximum speed is lower, and the fuel version consumes 12 liters more. A 2-liter diesel engine (a surcharge for a car with a 2.3-liter engine will be 25 thousand) provides a second advantage in acceleration to hundreds compared to the most voluminous gasoline engine. And this is when consuming fuel at the level of a 1.8-liter unit! By the way, the motor can be equipped with automatic transmission (the surcharge will be 54 thousand rubles). Note that, unlike the junior Diesel of the manual transmission, here is a 6-speed (like an automatic machine). The most powerful diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters, developing a power of 175 hp, is only with a 6-speed manual transmission, and since the model is offered immediately performed by GHIA (that is, Trend or Core do not equip such a motor), the minimum price of the machine is 1 097 000 rub. (or 1,443,400 rubles, if we are talking about a 2009 car). It is worth overpaying: the run up to 100 km/h takes only 9.6 s, and the fuel consumption in the city is only 1 liter more than that of junior diesel units (consumption corresponds to the factory data on the highway). 
Basic levels of equipment The worst Galaxy has a Core prefix (the minimum price is 774 thousand rubles; by the way, the cost of a 2009 machine is at least 1,121,300 rubles). Galaxy Core can not be called a richly equipped car, but it is not particularly poor: electric windows, a route computer, a heated and built -in turning indicator, air conditioning, seven airbags, and ABS all this is installed already in the base. By the way, the specimens of this year are offered only with a 2-liter gasoline engine.
The surcharge for the version of Trend is only 5 thousand rubles, however, this is due to the current discounts (without them the difference would be 25 thousand). This equipment includes a leather steering wheel and a gearbox lever, rear electric windows, folding tables in the backs of the front seats and a two-zone climate control.
If you add another 33 thousand on top (or 78 thousand, when the discounts stop acting), the Galaxy Ghia will receive the rain sensor, automatic dimming of the rear view mirrors, air conditioning for rear passengers, cruise control, electric regulation of the height of the driver's seat, car lift, and also 17-inch disks made of light alloy. At the moment, it is the GHIA that is considered a top execution for this model (the version of Titanium in the price list of 2009 products is not listed).
Additives? The choice of options directly depends on which car is taken as the basis. If we are talking about the Core, then it can be accompanied by those positions that are included in the basic configuration of Trend (for example, a two-zone climate control for 19,400 rubles). But does it make sense? Overpayment for the possession of the Trend version is already scanty. Moreover, very interesting options are available for Trend, which the future owner of the Galaxy Core will not be able to order. Say, adaptive cruise control at a price of 74,900 rubles, multimedia-installation worth 69 thousand or navigation system for 85 thousand rubles.
For GHIA, almost the same additional equipment was proposed as for Trend (with the difference that such pleasant little things are available for a richer modification as heating and ventilation seats, etc.).
For each modification, the options are a panoramic roof (16,00022,500 rubles), parking sensors, air pressure sensors, adaptive head optics, headlight washer, stabilization system (910038,000 rubles), as well as a refrigerator.
COMPETITION
Chrysler Grand Voyager
Grand Voyager is a classic American car with sliding side doors and a huge salon. Actually, the latter is the most significant plus of this model (in Russia it is originally offered with a long wheelbase). But it costs Chrysler much more expensive than Ford.
Mitsubishi Grandis
In size and layout, the Japanese resembles Galaxy, although by nature he is probably closer to the S-Max (Mitsubishi is controlled). The great advantage of this machine is a memorable look: to look for a more beautiful mini-wen. Interesting is the salon. Prices, by the way, do not bite.
Renault Espace
Like Chrysler, Espace is one of the founders of the segment. In the French car, the influence of both the American and the European school of constructing mini-wenes is noticeable: on the one hand, the doors are swinging, on the other, they sell cars with a short and long base. The cost of the Frenchman is higher than that of Galaxy, but lower than that Chrysler.
