MOST people will have heard of the film "Honey, I've shrunk the kids" but not too many will be aware that Ford has followed suit by downsizing some of the engines offered on its new Galaxy people mover. Yet despite this dimensional shrinkage, the new high efficiency 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, offers more power, better fuel usage, and improved CO2 emissions, to bring it within a hair's breath of the competing 2.0-litre diesel. But this amazing engine is the only small thing about this spacious MPV. The refreshed body shell sports seven family size seats and still has room to spare for the luggage. The 2010 line-up is also well equipped and extremely elegant. Ford of 'yesteryear' never majored on elegance. It concentrated instead on providing the fleet market with a range of functional motor vehicles that were genuine workhorses. All that is now history and today's crop, which also targets the retail sector, is bursting at the seams with 'in your face' elegance. There is no doubt you travel first class in this latest MPV. Hand stitched, supple leather seating, a trendy fascia, deep carpeting, and soft touch trim all contribute to the ambience of the luxury cabin. The exterior road noise has been radically cut by upgrading the body insulation which even includes the wheel arches. Available in only three trim levels - Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X - the specification also boasts a premium sound system, new interior colours, overhead storage, or a panoramic roof, and an integrated luggage roof rail. Ford's fold flat seat system is standard, but optional extras include, reversing cameras, satellite navigation, blind spot radar sensors warning of overtaking traffic, and a key free ignition system. And that not the end of it. The latest safety and security systems, plus other sophisticated equipment all ensure that this latest version of Ford's best selling MPV is an upmarket 'lounge on wheels'. It now certainly competes with anything German brands can produce and they are the past masters at supplying top end finishes to discerning executive tastes. The Galaxy, of course shares many of its enhancements with the sporty smaller S-Max including its performance and easy riding virtues. Whilst I enjoyed the automatic petrol versions, I preferred the manual six speed diesel. Although the compact EcoBoost petrol engine, with a CO2 emissions rating of 189g/km, is powerful enough to redline at 135mph and return 44.1mpg on the extra urban cycle, the 163PS diesel offers a respectable 126mph, and a superb 57.7mpg on the extra urban cycle, whilst its CO2 rating is 152g/km in manual form. Ford has however produced a petrol engine via its downsizing exercise, which compares favourably with the diesels in its stable and it has to be congratulated. It sees this narrowing of the power drive gap, combined with its push for first class interior travel, as the way forward and I feel it may be spot on. This MPV is definitely a long distance, multi-purpose machine. I drove it for a number of hours taking in motorway, rural roads and narrow city streets choked with parked traffic. I found it pacey, easy to manoeuvre and relaxing to drive, due to its precise handling, smooth gears and suspension, the feather light steering and the business class cabin. Favoured more by fleet users up to now, I can see the private sector expanding as prospective buyers realise just how critical the upgrades to the suspension, engines, and fixtures and fittings really are. Pricing has not yet been confirmed and will not be decided until the UK launch in April. There will be increases due to the new Powershift technology, new engines and the upgrading, but it will be competitive enough to offer buyers value for their money. | 
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