Ford brings hybrid to S-Max and Galaxy 10 | 02 | 2021

    FORD HAS INTRODUCED new hybrid versions of its S-Max (pictured below in red) and Galaxy (pictured below in blue) seven-seater MPVs as it makes a bid to help families go electric. The two new models start at £36,535 for the S-Max and £38,695 for the Galaxy. Both are available to order now. Previously, the only seven-seater hybrids on-sale in the UK included the Volvo XC90 T8, Lexus RX L and Kia Sorento Hybrid. (Related: Ford Puma Scots Car of the Year)

    Fitted to both models is Ford’s hybrid powertrain. Ford says the ‘electric power is intelligently deployed to support petrol engine fuel efficiency or deliver silent, pure-electric driving for short periods depending on the scenario’.

    While the two new hybrids can pull away silently from a standstill under all-electric power, and are capable of short periods of all-electric running, the technology means you won’t be able to plug-in and travel even up to 20 miles as a pure-electric vehicle.

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    The powertrain combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine, alongside a compact electric motor and a 1.1kWh battery pack. The combination produces 187bhp and 200Nm of torque. In the S-Max, that results in fuel figures of 43.5mpg, and CO2 emissions of 147g/km. The latter is an improvement of more than 10% (WLTP) when compared with the equivalent S-Max EcoBlue diesel. (Related: Review — Ford Focus ST)

    Battery charge is automatically replenished by the petrol engine and by using regenerative charging technology when coasting or braking. With no need for owners to plug into an external power source, Ford says the ’S-Max Hybrid is designed to seamlessly fit into family life’.

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    Because of clever packaging — the battery pack is located under the boot floor — the S-Max Hybrid has the same bootspace as the standard car; that means, wth all seven seats in place, there’s still room for 285-litres of luggage. Fold all of the seats flat, and the van-like storage rises to 2200-litres. There’s even more maximum space in the Galaxy Hybrid, which matches its petrol and diesel siblings at 2339-litres.

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    Both MPVs are available in Ford’s Titanium trim, which includes rear privacy glass, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights and 17in alloys. There’s bags of safety features as standard too, including an active speed limiter, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, plus front and rear parking sensors. (Related: Review — Ford Focus RS)

    Inside the cabin, dual-zone climate control, rear table trays and fabric upholstery are standard, as are an eight-inch infotainment system, a 10.1-inch digital gauge cluster and a roaming 3G hotspot.

    Two other spec levels are available in the S-Max. The sporty ST-Line, which starts at £38,645 and adds sports suspension, 18in alloys, a spoiler for the tailgate, black trim in place of the standard car’s chrome brightwork, plus black roof rails and ST-Line badges.

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    But that’s not all. The standard kit also includes heated and electrically adjustable sports seats up front — both are trimmed in a blend of microsuede and leather — plus a heated sports steering wheel, black headlining, illuminated tread plates and aluminium pedals.

    Meanwhile, the range-topping S-Max Hybrid Vignale — which is more geared towards comfort, and is priced from £41,795 — includes a number of upgrades over the already well-specced ST-Line. A power-operated tailgate, a pair of electrically folding door mirrors with memory function, silver roof rails, adaptive LED headlights, metallic paint and 19in alloys are all standard.

    Inside, the Vignale gets a pair of heated, cooled and massaging leather seats, a leather steering wheel, a leather-trimmed instrument binnacle, an ambient lighting system and a rear-view camera. Oh! Plus a 12-speaker Sony stereo system with a subwoofer.

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    “S-MAX is the original sports activity vehicle, and now brings even more appeal for a new generation of customers with pure-electric driving capability for the first time,” Roelant de Waard, Ford’s European Passenger Vehicle general manager, said.

    “From a sporty, car-like driving experience to seats that fold flat at the push of a button, innovations that fit perfectly into family life have always been a big part of the S-Max appeal. That makes the efficient and refined new hybrid powertrain a natural addition to the line-up.”

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    Jim McGill

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