FORD'S flagship MPV is poised to clean up with an ultra-efficient engine that makes it the most environmentally friendly vehicle of its kind.

Fitted with an improved turbo-charged two-litre diesel, the latest Ford Galaxy is the only full sized people mover with CO2 emissions below 160g/km.

Not only does that deliver significant tax advantages to business users it also makes the new Galaxy very family friendly with average fuel consumption pushing 50 miles per gallon.

Allied to recent price cuts, which almost eliminate Ford's double digit increases last year, and the latest Galaxy is well placed to remain Britain's top selling seven seater.

The Galaxy range is now priced from £22,945 with the high economy diesel starting at £24,245. The 15 model line up tops out at £31,045.

As well as being cheaper to run, the Galaxy has gone upmarket with a restyled front and a body which features plenty of chrome trim.

With darkened windows and LED running lights the higher specification versions look very VIP. They also have a much improved ride and are quieter inside.

From a driver's point of view the car is now fitted with a push button starter and it is now available with blind spot warning lamps in the door mirrors plus a speed limiter which can be set as low as 20mph.

A rear view parking camera and an interior storage console which runs the entire length of the roof can also be specified.

Ford has dropped the entry level Edge trim and the higher grade Ghia finish and is now badging the line up Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X.

As is the case with most seven seaters the rear seats remain more suitable for youngsters and although the seats now fold completely flat to give additional luggage space, they are still heavy and not that easy to operate.

Since its launch in 2006 the current Galaxy has become something of a favourite in the chauffer driven market and it now outsells its greatest rival - the VW Sharan - by five to one, although a new Sharan with even lower emissions is coming soon.

The Galaxy's interior, with foldaway tables, sculpted seats and plenty of storage, has always been one of its stronger points and the new version is even more comfortable.

As well as the lean burn diesel engines Ford is also fitting its new two-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in the Galaxy.

The engine is designed to offer a better blend of power and performance and although not on the same emissions scale as the diesel it is much more efficient than the previous 2.3-litre automatic Galaxy.

Developing 200bhp, the EcoBoost engine gives the Galaxy a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 135mph while averaging 34.8mpg, which equates to 189g/km of CO2.

EcoBoost powered Galaxys are fitted with Ford's semi-automatic six speed Powershift gearbox and are priced from £26,945.

They are available only in the higher specification Titanium and Titanium X models but the set up delivers a very impressive drive, especially in a car of this size.

The EcoBoost engine is also being used in the latest versions of Ford's S-Max - the Galaxy's sister model - and eventually will be fitted in all larger Fords.