Frankfurt Motor Show 2005 - Ford

What's the star of the stand?
Ford hasn't just got one seven-seater on the way, it has got two.

Besides the production version SAV concept from Geneva earlier this year, there's this – the all-new Galaxy, which arrives in UK showrooms a few months before the SAV.

On sale in the UK from next May, the Galaxy aims to occupy the more traditional end of the MPV spectrum with a clever and flexible interior. The SAV is a more sportier vehicle and will arrive in the UK next summer.

Ford opened up the Galaxy at Frankfurt today, so we've been able to see what sort of acrobatics the seats are able to perform. All of the five rear seats are separately adjustable for both leg-room and reclining.

While the current Galaxy is the result of a joint effort with Seat and Volkswagen, who offer their Alhambra and Sharan versions of the car, Ford has gone its own way this time. The new Galaxy is a Ford through and through. It has been developed alongside the SAV project so both vehicles share much of the interior technology.

They say
'The future of space and luxury the new Galaxy design features elements of Ford's new kinetic language.'

We say
With seven seats that fold flat into the floor, Ford has re-invented the Galaxy and see the Renault Grand Espace as its chief rival. The specially designed interior gives 30% more internal space than the Grand Scenic with all seven seats in place.

Anything else?
There's lots more besides the Galaxy on Ford's busy stand. As well as face-lifted versions of the Fiesta and Fusion superminis, Ford has also pulled the wraps off an interesting concept called the Iosis – a coupe with four carbon fibre gullwing doors and video cameras for door mirrors.

The company's also priced its hot new Focus ST. On sale from the end of this year, the 223bhp car will cost from £17,495 in entry-level guise, less than a Volkswagen Golf or Vauxhall Astra VXR. Cheapest models don't come with traction or stability control, which we think is quite an omission on such a powerful car.

Any gossip?
Although the four-door Iosis coupe isn't yet slated for production, it does give the best idea yet of what the new Mondeo will look like when it arrives in 2007. Concentrate on the front of the concept to get an idea of what the new family car from Ford will look like.