mikeyb
07-13-2005, 01:15 PM
Spy Shot: Ford D-MAX (UK)
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-001.jpg
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Caught on film: here are the least-disguised pictures ever published of Ford's next crossover-style family car. Ford recently confirmed that the car, which is likely to be called D-MAX , will go into production for a probable on-sale date early in 2006. The D-MAX will eventually replace the ageing Galaxy and will feature two or three rows of seats, with the capacity to seat up to seven people.
Ford decided to go ahead with the D-MAX after positive media and public reaction to the SAV Concept, which debuted at Geneva Motor Show in 2005. Now that the car has shed so much more disguise, it's easy to see how faithful the D-MAX is to the sleek SAV Concept. Indeed, the D-MAX makes the Galaxy look quite stodgy and very dated now. Our spyshots also reveal that some of the intriguing details on the show car have made it onto the prototype, such as the vents at the rear of the front wheel arches
The D-MAX's driving dynamics promise to be excellent, too, and much more car-like than the Galaxy's. It'll be built on the next-generation Mondeo platform, also to be shared with the upcoming new Freelander and Volvo XC50. Given the Freelander connection, it's likely that four-wheel drive versions of D-MAX will eventually be offered. Elements of the D-MAX's dramatic styling are expected to give clues to the all-new Mondeo, too.
Engines expected in the D-MAX include the Volvo 2.3 and 2.4s, some turbocharged, as well as versions of the 2.0 petrol and TDCi diesel as in the latest Focus, and the 2.7 V6 diesel as in the Jaguar S-Type. That last one should be a real stormer.
The D-MAX is expected to come with a choice of five- and seven-seat layouts, and all the usual MPV-style versatility; the SAV previewed neat touches such as remote-controlled, motorised sliding seats, integrated luggage trolleys with built-in armrests and outer seats in the middle row which can slide inwards to give more elbow room, though some of these features may not appear in entry-level versions. The optional sixth and seventh seats are likely to be stowaway items which can fold down flat into the boot floor. We expect to see the production version of D-MAX at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. And the Galaxy could soldier on for awhile even after the D-MAX is launched - Ford has always described the SAV proposal as a car to fit in between the Mondeo and Galaxy ranges.
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http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-002.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-003.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-004.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-005.jpg http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-006.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-001.jpg
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD class=quote>
Caught on film: here are the least-disguised pictures ever published of Ford's next crossover-style family car. Ford recently confirmed that the car, which is likely to be called D-MAX , will go into production for a probable on-sale date early in 2006. The D-MAX will eventually replace the ageing Galaxy and will feature two or three rows of seats, with the capacity to seat up to seven people.
Ford decided to go ahead with the D-MAX after positive media and public reaction to the SAV Concept, which debuted at Geneva Motor Show in 2005. Now that the car has shed so much more disguise, it's easy to see how faithful the D-MAX is to the sleek SAV Concept. Indeed, the D-MAX makes the Galaxy look quite stodgy and very dated now. Our spyshots also reveal that some of the intriguing details on the show car have made it onto the prototype, such as the vents at the rear of the front wheel arches
The D-MAX's driving dynamics promise to be excellent, too, and much more car-like than the Galaxy's. It'll be built on the next-generation Mondeo platform, also to be shared with the upcoming new Freelander and Volvo XC50. Given the Freelander connection, it's likely that four-wheel drive versions of D-MAX will eventually be offered. Elements of the D-MAX's dramatic styling are expected to give clues to the all-new Mondeo, too.
Engines expected in the D-MAX include the Volvo 2.3 and 2.4s, some turbocharged, as well as versions of the 2.0 petrol and TDCi diesel as in the latest Focus, and the 2.7 V6 diesel as in the Jaguar S-Type. That last one should be a real stormer.
The D-MAX is expected to come with a choice of five- and seven-seat layouts, and all the usual MPV-style versatility; the SAV previewed neat touches such as remote-controlled, motorised sliding seats, integrated luggage trolleys with built-in armrests and outer seats in the middle row which can slide inwards to give more elbow room, though some of these features may not appear in entry-level versions. The optional sixth and seventh seats are likely to be stowaway items which can fold down flat into the boot floor. We expect to see the production version of D-MAX at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2005. And the Galaxy could soldier on for awhile even after the D-MAX is launched - Ford has always described the SAV proposal as a car to fit in between the Mondeo and Galaxy ranges.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-002.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-003.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-004.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-005.jpg http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/F/ford/dmax2/03-large/Ford-Galaxy-006.jpg
http://www.channel4.com/4car