Ford Updates Galaxy Styling, Features

Ford Motor Co. has redesigned its seven-passenger Galaxy minivan with a fresh face, updated interior and new instrument panel. The revised vehicle will debut in Europe in September.

Exterior styling changes include a new fascia and slim adaptive LED headlamps in front, a taller beltline with thinner roof pillars and more glass on the sides and a rear window treatment that incorporates the glass with the taillamps.

Inside, the minivan will offer more headroom, additional storage, one-touch second-row seats that improve access to the third row, available heated/cooled seats with massage function, and a quieter ventilation system with more airflow and separate controls for rear-seat passengers.

The new Galaxy will adopt a revised rear suspension architecture that combines greater lateral stiffness with more fore-aft compliance for a smoother and quieter ride. The suspension debuted in the redesigned Mondeo sedan and S-Max MPV.

Among new technologies are a trio of parking aids. One is a hands-free perpendicular parking system. A second automatically steers the vehicle out of a tight parallel parking spot. A third feature uses front and rear cameras to detect cross traffic when exiting a parking space.

The new Galaxy will be offered with several engines, including a new 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel that makes 207 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Options include Ford's 2.0-liter single-turbo diesel in 118-, 149- and 177-hp variants.

The Galaxy's two gasoline-fueled engines include 1.5-liter and carryover 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engines rated at 158 hp and 237 hp, respectively.