Ford GALAXY TDi 130 RANGE
The Addition Of An Award Winning Turbo Diesel Engine To The Latest Version Of Fords Best-Selling Galaxy People Carrier Makes An Enticing Combination. Andy Enright Reports
When it comes to practical parenting, there are a good deal of compromises to be struck. Perhaps the most taxing is finding a way to balance the books without compromising on safety and quality. The
Ford Galaxy has long been a favourite choice of buyers looking for a solution to this issue. Unwilling to splash out on a more ostentatious full sized MPV and equally unappetised by the crew-bus cheapies from South Korea on offer, many realised the Galaxy offered the best compromise.
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Now theres another choice to be made. Which diesel engine do you choose? With 90, 115 and a 130bhp versions available, it all depends on how much power youd like, adequate, plenty or borderline excessive. We can never get too much of a good thing and with the Galaxy TDi 130 priced from £20,900 in LX trim nor, it seems, can you people.
After all, this
Volkswagen-sourced Pump-Duse TDi 130bhp powerplant is about as good as modern diesel engines get, a unit which comes mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox. This shifter has been designed to suit the TDis high torque output, combining greater in-gear flexibility and top speed potential with improved fuel economy and higher levels of refinement. The TDi 130 powerplant is, as you would expect, smoother, more powerful, cleaner and more fuel-efficient in every way than the diesels used by earlier Galaxy models. The engine doesnt have common rail technology and one of the byproducts of this is that it isnt the quietest unit of its kind.
Still, that doesnt stop this powerplant from being one of the most impressive diesels around. The figures say that sixty shows up from rest in 12.8s, but it feels quicker than that, a legacy of the impressive reserves of mid-range torque on offer. In practice, this means ready pulling power in almost any gear, something which is a real boon, both on the open road (where you often dont have to drop a gear to overtake) and around town (which you dont have to row the thing along with the gearstick).
"The TDi powerplant is smoother, more powerful, cleaner and more fuel efficient. You win every way up"
The result is a pleasantly refined but characterful engine that produces good figures as well. The top speed of 117mph and 43mpg average fuel economy were once the statistics of a warm hatch and a diesel supermini but now the full-sized Galaxy now effortlessly combines the two with a level of cleanliness its predecessors could only dream of. Its CO2 emissions figure of 176g/km is sure to make it a favourite amongst corporate users and is even lower than its 115bhp diesel counterpart. Work that one out.
Currently diesel sales account for 21% of all cars sold in the UK each year but
Ford anticipate that this figure will have increased to at least 30% by 2005. With a package as well rounded as the Galaxy TDi, those figures may actually be pessimistic in fact many industry observers are basing their predictions on a diesel market penetration of at least 40%. With 310Nm of torque to play with, the TDi engine is not lacking in muscle. The turbo, injectors and timing work together to plump up the torque curve in the low ranges where turbo diesel engines are traditionally a little glutinous in their throttle response.
The gear ratios have been selected with this in mind and changing down to accelerate away is a habit youll need to break. Safety has been a priority for Ford with this car in recent times. Hence the addition of side thorax airbags and side curtain airbags from Fords acclaimed Intelligent Protection System to give greater protection for all occupants. Drivers benefit from a Mondeo-style Electronic Brake Assist system and new
smart indicators, which automatically flash a minimum of three times every time the indicators are activated.
These additions complement the ABS, driver and passenger airbags and 3-point
seat belts for all occupants' already standard equipment on all models. There are three trim levels in the line-up: LX, Zetec and Ghia, the latter two including side airbags and a radar parking system that should avoid many a supermarket scrape. Other enhancements to the Galaxy range include the fitting of full three-point seatbelts for all seven passengers, while the Galaxy's brakes have been further improved. They now boast a more powerful anti-lock system and the all-disc brakes are gripped by second-generation non-asbestos brake pads that are offer better performance during emergency braking. Inside the carefully styled cabin, its all surprisingly luxurious and very different to the utilitarian feel of the original first generation Galaxy model. Beautifully textured soft plastics, subtle wood strips and flashes of silver trim combine to create one of the nicest Ford interiors weve seen and certainly the most practical.
To complement large door pockets, two substantial stowage boxes have been built into the dashboard in response to customers who wanted to be able to hide away clutter after a weekend and reclaim their car as a business vehicle for the working week. Befitting its role as large MPV market leader, the Galaxy seats seven people in great comfort (though you can opt for a six-seater version). The supportive seats are welcome and it continues to be easy to drive, simple to park and no more expensive to run than an average large family hatch or estate. As ever, the biggest surprise for the uninitiated will be its car-like qualities, further refined in recent years with more responsive steering and slight suspension tweaks.
Handling is exemplary, and the Galaxy doesn't roll, pitch or wallow like many of its MPV counterparts. The Galaxy TDi 130 is probably the smartest way to transport a burgeoning family. Its certainly the one car in the entire Ford line up that youd choose to take the family on holiday. That is often the acid test of any vehicle and the Galaxy passes with flying colours.
In removing the difficulty involved in selecting a full-sized MPV, Ford should be congratulated. Choose Galaxy TDi130 and accept no substitute.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Ford Galaxy TDi130 range
PRICES: £20,900-£24,055 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 176g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 117mph / 0-60mph 12.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 43mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and side curtain airbags / ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4641/2142/1759mm
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