Wednesday 14th February 2007

Ford shows off new Mondeo

But can it rescue Ford from the financial brink?

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Ford has released the first images of its all-new Mondeo ahead of its world debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show -- and it could be the cash-strapped company's make-or-break product.

Design

The Mondeo uses Ford's 'kinetic design', with chamfered corners and a deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings and a shoulder line along the side of the car to a high point at the rear. An undercut line runs from the front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Inside, Ford's used 'piano black', soft-touch materials and ambient lighting.

Models and options

Standard equipment across the range includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), capless refuelling with fuel inhibitor to prevent misfuelling, Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm, air conditioning, 'follow-me-home' lights, trip computer and an MP3 connector socket.

There are three bodystyles: a four-door, a five-door hatch and the estate, all available from launch. For each body style, four series are available: the Edge, which "provides a high level of standard equipment essential for business and family needs"; Zetec, and the range-topping Ghia and Titanium X models. The Ghia model offers "luxury with use of chrome and wood ornamentation inside", while Titanium "will appeal to those customers favouring a more contemporary, technology flavour", said Ford.

Technology

Standard technology includes keyless entry and keyless start with a start button (yawn), new Ford "Convers+" Human Machine Interface (HMI) instrument display, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control with Hill Launch Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

The company's Easyfuel system guards against either petrol or diesel misfuelling at the filling pump as the fuel filler neck aperture has been specifically designed around the different sizes of fuel nozzles. Ford said it had engineered its system only to allow the nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to enter the filler neck.

Driving quality

The Mondeo aims to offer superior driving dynamics as a core attribute, combining a refined ride with minimal noise, vibration and harshness, reckoned Ford.

Major modifications include:

• Wider track
• Optimised front suspension design
• New rear suspension design
• Isolated rear subframe
• Optimised steering system
• Suspension

Underpinnings include the tried and trusted MacPherson front suspension with isolated subframes for lower NVH, control arm hydro bushings, S-shaped springs and dual path strut mounts.

At the rear, Ford's updated the multi-link rear suspension and isolated subframe mounting system and uses the S-MAX Control Blade design with four links to control each wheel precisely.

As a result of its efforts, Foprd reckoned the system delivers lower levels of noise, vibration and harshness -- with noise in particular down by 3dB -- 50% down.

Powertrains

Petrol and diesel engines available include:

• 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 99bhp or 123bhp diesel with five-speed manual transmission. The 123bhp version can also be specified with a six-speed manual transmission.
• 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 138bhp diesel with six-speed manual transmission.
• 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 128bhp diesel with a new Durashift six-speed automatic transmission
• 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT 108bhp or 123bhp petrol engines with five-speed manual transmission.
• 2.0-litre Duratec HE 143bhp petrol engine with Durashift five-speed manual transmission.
• A new 2.3-litre Duratec HE 159bhp four-cylinder petrol engine with Durashift six-speed automatic transmission.

Range topping, performance-orientated 2.5 litre Duratec five-cylinder 217bhp petrol engine with Durashift six-speed manual transmission.

Ford claimed the Mondeo has appeared every year in the nation's top 10 favourite cars. A total of over four million Mondeos have been built since launch in 1993. More than 1.5 million of those were sold in the UK.

"The exciting new Mondeo is very important to us", said Ford's UK boss Roelant de Waard. "It's probably the most elegant car we've ever launched, and it's certainly the most technologically-advanced. Like the S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, the new Mondeo will attract many new customers to our showrooms as well as delighting our loyal UK customer base," he said.

The Mondeo may not be the most exciting car in the world but, compared to its counterparts, it's been good to drive and offers a flexible range of options.

More importantly, it also provides Ford with a significant proportion of its bread and butter income, which will be required if the financially ailing Blue Oval is to survive. If you don't want to see Ford go under, hope the Mondeo takes off...

[richb]

Ford produce consistently good cars in the middle-market sector and always get good reviews of their products, yet somehow they are hemorrhaging cash faster than a despotic African dictator. This is a good looking car, let's hope it does well.

[tony*t3]

As usual doesnt look much like the concept.... sure its going to be a good car (cant really think of any currect Ford car that isnt actually quite competent in its market place)....

Bit more pazzaz would be nice. And gull wing doors of course.... :-)

[burtjp]

I always thought that Ford's European division wasn't doing too badly financially - its the US part which is in trouble

[sidevinders]

hmm estate looks best i think..theres something wrong about the rear end of the saloon and hatchback versions, like they've been driven into a fence or something.

I thought Ford Europe was doing fine...marginal profit even. Ford US is knackered by healthcare packages to all employees - same as GM. Along with a few quality issues.

[hendry]

I hope Ford is not relying on this as its saviour, as the Mondeo is operating in a market that no longer exists: those needing saloons as company cars all want BMWs and families are buying MPVs or soft-roaders. I mean, how many 407s or Vectras do you see on the roads these days?

Thanfully, Ford at least has not that much money thrown into developing the Mondeo per se, as its platform also supports the S-Max and Galaxy, plus a host of Mazdas and Volvos (and probably something on the other side of the Atlantic too).

[FestivAli]

A good looking car that doesn't have the garish grille of the concept. Only thing is I've already seen it on Casino Royale (His rental). Yes they're being conservative but not too many people I suspect want to drive something that looks like a bottomfeeder with silver lipstick. Can it help ford reverse its decline? have a look at mass market us garbage like the US Focus and understand my pessimism.

Ali.

[german tony]

Am thinking of moving out of the 4 wd/MPV concept as a family man & going to a mid-sized estate, like this new Mondeo. Mainly 'cos they have more useable space in them for the price in the case of the 4 wds - there's only so much space upwards a person can use before space length/width wise is more important. As for the MPV's, I just don't need 7 seats. So buying 1 & only using 5 is pointless, as far as I'm concerned.

I like the look of this new Mondeo, not sure that it won't age very fast though.

[k50 del]

If I read the engine choices correctly, the top powered diesel has only 138 brake, that's not going to help sales when the equivalent A4 / Golf / Passat has up to 180 from their diesel.

[PhantomPH]

The problem with Ford at the minute, is that they 'hung their balls' out there with the Mk1 Focus and it was amazing...then they heaved a sign of relief and quickly scooped their testes out of harm's way and went all conservative for the Focus Mk2. Looks like they are doing the same for the Mondeo.

Why not take the leap and produce something more like the concept instead of sanitising it?

I owned 2 Mk1 Foci, yet would never consider owning a Mk2, as it just turned into a real old fart's car. Sorry, but it did. Vauxhall took on the baton with the Astra and Sporthatch.

Ford could have created something fabulous with this new Mondeo. Instead they have created...erm...

[HUGE]

To paraphrase Clarkson (I think)...Ford used to make crap cars and loads of money...they now make good cars and no money....
as they say over the water...go figure....

[Calorus]

Lovely car. Needs a propshaft, a rollcage, a turbocharger and Group A racing regulations to saunter back in, and I'd be down Busseys tomorrow.

[irm]

well with everyone in the market sector producing more powerful diesel cars
the only question is

why??

even the current 2.2 155 is being left behind and this doesn't feature in the proposed line up

[pesmo]

Oooooo, my next car. I know they get a lot of stick but I enjoy driving the current Mondy compared to the Vectra having done lots of miles in both. Hopefully the new one will be better still.

[plfrench]

Case of Deja-Vu here... I'm sure this was up a couple of days ago!! I assume Autocar and thus Haymarket didn't like the fact the PH was going to beat them to it on running a piece with this weeks Autocar not due out till today!!

[deevlash]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, looks incredibly dull after the iosis concept, why bother making the concept in the 1st place? This is like a Vectra with different lights.

[zebedee]

german tony said:

Am thinking of moving out of the 4 wd/MPV concept as a family man & going to a mid-sized estate, like this new Mondeo. Mainly 'cos they have more useable space in them for the price in the case of the 4 wds - there's only so much space upwards a person can use before space length/width wise is more important. As for the MPV's, I just don't need 7 seats. So buying 1 & only using 5 is pointless, as far as I'm concerned.

I like the look of this new Mondeo, not sure that it won't age very fast though.

Good man - a wise move.

Although the Mondeo is a mid-sized saloon, the estates to date have been huge - much bigger load area than anything in its class and more space than most of the cars in the size or two up. You might find the load area is longer than in many MPVs too. I had a mk1 estate and am on the lookout for a current shape one at the moment, preferably an st220 if the money will stretch - then I get a load lugger that also has all the toys you need and plenty of poke too, with the usual Mondeo excellent handling and being fun to drive.

I love the fact that they are popular yet understated as it means secondhand prices are great!

[rob13]

Looks to me a little bit like a Volvo at the front and a Saab at the back. Nothing new here

[collateral]

Styling is a bit of an odd mix of Jag and Volvo.

Why you would you buy this over a Passat (more power and a German interior)?

[lincolnr]

I'd take it over the Passat - and they say Porsche designers are lazy, the current batch of VWs is mind numbingly dull to be in and to look at.

[jazzyjeff]

collateral said:

Why you would you buy this over a Passat (more power and a German interior)?

If you like your interiors to look like a depressing dungeon ;-)

What is more important than straight bhp is torque, power to weight and gearing - we should wait until someone does a direct road test comparison before we start moaning?

JJ