Ford will expand its line of
hybrids in early 2021 with the introduction of new self-charging electrified
S-Max and Galaxy variants. The hybrid minivans will be built in Valencia, Spain
where Ford will invest €42 million ($46.7 million) in a battery assembly
facility and S-Max Hybrid and Galaxy Hybrid production. More specifically, Ford
will add two new assembly lines that will enable the production of lithium-ion
batteries alongside the Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, Kuga Hybrid, S-Max Hybrid and
Galaxy Hybrid.
The new battery assembly
facility will become operational in September 2020 following a € 24 million
(US$ 26.7 million) investment. As with the new Ford Kuga Hybrid, the self-charging
electrified S-Max and Galaxy variants will be powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson
cycle gasoline engine assisted by an electric motor, generator, lithium-ion
battery and power-split automatic transmission.
Ford targets a system output
of 200 PS and 210 Nm of torque for both models. The hybrid
minivans will be able to run in pure electric mode but the automaker does not
reveal how long a distance they will be able to cover. It does say that it aims
for CO2 emissions of 140 g/km (WLTP) and “significantly reduced NOx emissions.”
The S-Max Hybrid will be
available in five- and seven-seat configurations and will offer the same load
space volume as ICE-powered variants – up to 2,200 liters for the
five-seat model. The Galaxy Hybrid will offer seven seats as standard and
retain existing maximum load space volume of 2,339 liters.
Ford will also invest € 8
million (US$ 8.9 million) in new tooling and assembly line upgrades for the hybrid
MPVs at the Valencia plant. A further € 10 million (US$ 11.1 million) investment
will support production of the Kuga Hybrid. By the end of this year, Ford will
have introduced 14 electrified models in Europe.
