Ford has more or less given on up on the idea of big minivans in the States, leaving the segment to Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda and even Korea’s Kia, but that’s not the case in Europe where it plans to launch the successors to the sportier S-MAX and the more utilitarian Galaxy.
The next S-MAX is a known quantity, not only because we’ve spied testers before, but also because Ford previewed the MPV last year through a concept model. And while we’ve stumbled upon test mules of the Galaxy in the past, this is the very first time that our spies caught a real prototype of the seven-seater model.
Both the S-MAX and the slightly bigger Galaxy ride on Ford’s C/D platform that underpins the North American Fusion and the belated next-generation Fusion for Europe, and will share a similar range of engines, including the brand’s new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four petrols, plus the usual diesel options.
It’s hard to tell with the plastic bags covering the car, but if you look closely and compare the Galaxy to the S-MAX prototype, you’ll notice that the former has a more squared roof- and rear-window lines. It should also have a boxier rear end to improve headroom for the third row and the luggage compartment.
If not at the Paris Motor Show in October, we should get to see the S-MAX and Galaxy at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year.
By John Halas
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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