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Story by Ford: 29th February 2000
Ford at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show
Ford of Europe is pulling the covers off of two important new products at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show - the newly redesigned Ford Galaxy and the all-new Ford Maverick.
The new Ford Galaxy features a redesigned exterior, all-new interior and revised powertrain line-up, sporting a more upmarket appearance and several technological features that are new to the European multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment. Ford Maverick is an all-new sport utility vehicle (SUV) with go-anywhere four-wheel-drive capabilities and refined ride and handling. Its introduction marks Ford's entry into the growing European SUV segment.
"These are exciting new products for Ford," said Ford of Europe Chairman, Nick Scheele. "Ford Galaxy is set to extend its leading role in fuelling the remarkable growth of the MPV market segment in Europe. Ford Maverick will appeal to people who may never have considered owning an SUV before. They both demonstrate how Ford is connecting with customers in new and different ways."
New Ford Galaxy
Ford's design team has given the new Galaxy's exterior the latest 'Ford family' look with sleeker and more distinctive lines, notably in the headlamps and front grille. The Galaxy's sophisticated and unique, all-new interior design marks a radical departure for Ford, with a crisp, geometric feel to the dashboard and extensive use of fine-patterned 'technical' graining and metallic highlights. Galaxy's powertrains have also been revised and improved, with a new and more powerful 204 PS, 2.8-litre V6 engine heading the impressive line-up. State-of-the-art 1.9-litre turbodiesel engines with high pressure fuel injection in 90 PS and 115 PS forms provide more torque than their predecessors, as well as lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Advanced new transmissions such as a six-speed manual and new four- and five-speed automatics - which give the driver the option of manual sequential selection or fully automatic shifting - make their first appearance in the European MPV class.
The latest Ford Galaxy is also one of the first vehicles in Europe to offer an advanced multi-media system as an original-equipment option. The system provides video playback and the facility for computer games on two daylight-visible, high-resolution screens on the backs of the front seat headrests. The new Ford Galaxy goes on sale in Europe later in 2000.
The all-new Ford Maverick
The all-new unibody construction Ford Maverick combines robust four-wheel-drive capabilities, refined ride and handling, an outstanding interior package and enhanced towing capability. It is a small SUV that's versatile enough to tackle urban traffic and nature alike, offering European consumers another transportation solution for their active lifestyles.
On sale later this year, the new Maverick embodies Ford's "No Boundaries" promise for tough and versatile SUVs. Based on an all-new platform developed in partnership with Mazda, the new Ford Maverick provides customers with a small, versatile SUV with maximum comfort and convenience.
Ford Maverick offers two engine choices - a standard 2.0-litre I-4 engine with 5-speed manual transaxle or an optional 3.0-litre V6 with 4-speed automatic.
The Ford Zetec 2.0-litre DOHC I-4 engine produces 120 PS at 5,400 rpm and maximum torque of 175 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The powerful Ford 3.0-litre Duratec V6 engine delivers 203 PS at 6,000 rpm and 271 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm, making it one of the most powerful engines offered in the small sport utility class. The Duratec V6 is combined with a four-speed automatic transmission with electronic overdrive and is capable of towing upwards of 1,700 kilograms.
Left-hand drive versions of the all-new Ford Maverick will be built at Ford's Kansas City Plant and right-hand drive versions will be built at Mazda's Hofu Plant in Japan. Maverick goes on sale in Europe later this year.
Continued success for Ford Focus
Ford is preparing to celebrate the production of the 750,000th Ford Focus in Europe next month. The Focus was originally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, was voted European "Car of the Year 1999," and has now swept the recent 2000 North American and Canadian Car of the Year honours. European sales of the Ford Focus exceeded 500,000 during the 1999 calendar year and total sales since the start of production had already exceeded 600,000 units by mid-February, 2000. Focus is produced at two European Ford plants, Saarlouis Assembly Plant in Germany and Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain.
Ford will celebrate the production of the 750,000th Ford Focus in Saarlouis, Germany on March 9.
Ford Fiesta range expands
The new-look Ford Fiesta range continues to expand with the introduction of a new 1.8-litre Endura DI turbodiesel, joining the all-new Sport model that extends Fiesta's reputation for outstanding driving dynamics even further. The addition of the 55 kW / 75 PS 'drive by wire' Endura DI diesel engine, derived from the Ford Focus, makes Fiesta's powertrain line-up broader than ever. The new Fiesta Sport brings a new dimension to the range with power provided by the eager 75 kW /103 PS 1.6-litre Zetec-SE engine.
Ford's future powertrain vision
Geneva show visitors have the opportunity to see what the future could hold for European small car powertrains. Ford is exhibiting a prototype system combining a high-tech, three-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine with a new automated-shift manual (ASM) transmission. Together, this new Ford powertrain technology has the potential to provide small-car drivers with real-world performance benefits while delivering improvements in both fuel economy and emissions levels. Especially suited to congested urban environments, the combination of a small displacement direct-injection petrol engine and an automated-shifting manual transmission is ideal because it benefits the environment while still being fun to drive.
Ford Prodigy hybrid electric vehicle concept
Ford Prodigy is proof positive that a low-emission family car can achieve fuel economy under three litres per 100 kilometres - without sacrificing the performance and functionality demanded by today's car buyers. Built on a lightweight platform, featuring a modern, aerodynamic design and powered by a low-storage-requirement (LSR) hybrid electric powertrain, Prodigy demonstrates Ford's progress toward its goal of developing an affordable, production hybrid with mass appeal by 2003.
galaxy@first
Taking centre stage at Geneva is a new Ford Galaxy concept bristling with advanced communication equipment. Named 'galaxy@first', the concept car has been given the full designer treatment inside and out, to highlight the range of improvements to the new model Ford Galaxy being launched at the show. Voice-controlled e-mail and phone, satellite navigation and a mayday alert are just a few of the features on a fully-working prototype of an integrated computing platform to handle communication, information and entertainment needs. In addition, for the rear seat passengers, galaxy@first has a multi-media entertainment system with capability for hi-fi stereo video and computer games output. The system is designed to be expandable as new options become available in the future, including a DVD player and TV tuners.
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