The long wait is over as we drive three versions of the new Ford Mondeo.
Two years after its US launch, as the Ford Fusion, the delay here with the benchmark large family car was Ford's own doing after it closed the ‘Genk’ production plant in Belgium. The good news is the latest generation ‘Valencia’ built Mondeo has arrived - with a bang!
Built on Ford’s new global CD-segment platform, Mondeo' exterior styling is an evolution more than revolution in design. The most striking feature being the Aston Martin-esque front grille. Side-on there are even hints of A6 and the rear three quarters of the five-door version touches of Jag XF and even Audi A7.
Inside the cabin, Mondeo is more spacious than ever. Our test cars were top spec Titanium versions, so had all the toys including a big screen centre dash display. There is a new Volvo-esque centre dash cubby space and lots of small buttons and fiddly controls. The driving position remains near perfection.
Ford is synonymous with motoring innovation and new Mondeo features some interesting ones - sadly none of the headline grabbing innovations are standard fit. For €200, Ford will fit two inflating rear safety belts. In milliseconds the belt expands like a mini airbag to disperse crash forces across a wider area.
Ford’s excellent ‘Active City Stop’ collision avoidance system is an option too. This goes a long way towards eliminating low speed collisions by automatically applying the brakes if a forward impact is predicted. Another exciting option that is standard on the Zetec & Titanium models is 'MyKey'. Parents and Fleet managers will love this 'sector first'. This programmable key offers ‘Nanny-like’ control over the car. You can set the key to stop incoming phone calls and you can restrict the cars top speed with the added potentially to save fuel. You can also prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features. Also, you can reduce the maximum volume of the audio system and disable the system altogether if the driver and passengers are not using safety belts.
Nighttime driving is easier too as Mondeo is available with Ford’s first European LED headlights. Automated parking is another handy feature and it features an 'exit the space' function. Ford's Sync voice activation system gets upgraded on Titanium models, basically ‘Sync2’ gets more Siri-like (Apple) ability.
The engine range in Ireland features just diesel power from launch with the familiar 115hp 1.6-litre and 150hp 2-litre. EcoBoost petrol engines (1 & 1.5-litre) will be along in the New Year. Neither Diesel engines were available for our European launch test - only a 180hp 2-litre diesel that is Euro6 compliant. The engine power and deliver of torque felt just right in the five-door hatch version - leaving us wondering just how well the lower output versions will perform.
We drove the 1.5 EcoBoost (160hp) in Station Wagon form and it was a sweet machine. It felt eager to accelerate and was quiet when cruising too. Later in Q2 a four-wheel drive diesel Mondeo will arrive and the four-door hybrid version (99g/CO2). On a brief test, the Hybrid, apart from the whine of the CVT automatic gearbox, was a pleasant machine with no handling vices.
On the road new Mondeo has only itself to beat when it comes to ride and dynamism as the outgoing car was the best handling machine in its class. Mondello corners with confidence and we enjoyed taking it over a twisty mountain route.
Initially only mid-grade Zetec and high-grade Titanium Mondeos will hit the showrooms this November in five-door and wagon (estate) form with prices starting from €28,995. The entry level Style model will be available in the New Year. It's a very exciting year ahead as Mondeo is clearly a very good car and it is going head to head against the very classy new VW Passat.
Ford has missed a trick by not making its safety innovations standard where it could claim the moral high ground - though from a business point of view Dealers just want cars to sell at as low a price point as possible.
Michael Sheridan
