The New Ford Mondeo

The distinctive, all-new Ford Mondeo introduces new technical features to the Ford range and combines these with further improved driving dynamics and safety enhancements.

With three distinctively different bodystyles each demonstrating Ford of Europe's 'kinetic design' form language, plus a broad choice of trim series, technical features and a wide range of powertrains, the new Ford Mondeo brings new levels of refinement and comfort to its class, and to the Ford of Europe portfolio.

"The Ford Mondeo has always been acclaimed for its strong attributes, particularly its driving dynamics, safety performance and interior package," said Steve Adams, Vehicle Line Director, Large & Luxury Cars, Ford of Europe. "With this remarkable new model we've taken these qualities a step further and enhanced its performance in all of these areas as well as dramatically transforming its design and quality."

The new Ford Mondeo benefits from Ford Motor Company's Global Shared Technologies initiative, sharing many elements of its core architecture with the

Ford S-MAX - Car of the Year 2007 - and the new generation Ford Galaxy. A major advantage to developing vehicles in this way is that much of the development and testing techniques are shared with other models.

Fresh Face

Immediately obvious when seen from the front is the new Ford Mondeo's distinctive 'face', which is characterised by its trapezoid-shaped lower grille, a 'kinetic design' element that is increasingly recognised as part of the new Ford identity and which is already evident on several recent Ford models, including the S-MAX and the recently redesigned Ford C-MAX.

The large upper grille is flanked by prominent, swept back headlamps. Series differentiation is evident in the detail of the grilles with the Ghia and Ghia X models recognisable by the use of three horizontal bars featuring chrome accents in the upper grille, and the Titanium and Titanium X models featuring a silver-painted 'rectangular grid' design in the upper and lower grilles. Both high series have chrome surrounds on the upper and lower grilles. Ambiente and Trend models feature a 'rectangular grid' design in black for both grilles, with the upper grille surrounded by a bright chrome finisher.

Due to the location of the sensor, vehicles fitted with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) exhibit the grille combinations as used on the Titanium model.

The headlamps comprise the largest surface area ever used on a Ford passenger car and feature distinctive styling cues of their own; special blue filters on the optional Halogen and Bi-Xenon Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) headlamps give gem-like qualities even when the headlamps are on the lowest sidelight illumination.

The bonnet includes two shaped grooves in the surface which, in effect, create a 'power bulge', hinting at the dynamic qualities of the car. The additional bonnet height was viewed by the design team as a positive addition to the exterior design and adds to the car's muscular proportions in all three bodystyles.

Viewed from above, the Mondeo's front three-plane-plan view is immediately evident, providing a clear link between the production vehicle and the definitive expression of 'kinetic design' - the Ford iosis concept car - first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005.

The smooth swept-back 'chamfered' lines of the front bumper give the car a sense of presence, reduce the visual impact of the front overhang and serve to assist the driver when parking.

The front fog lamps are situated low down in the front bumper from Trend series upwards and mirror the line of the headlamps, which adds to the emotional experience of the new Ford Mondeo adding a touch of jewellery to the dramatic front end appearance.

Craftsmanship

New and premium levels of craftsmanship are evident throughout the new Ford Mondeo.

On Ghia and Titanium models a new woven headlining is used that, in a design choice to reflect the flow-through console, continues down the A-pillars to frame the front screen.

The careful use of 'piano black' interior styling accents also adds to the ensemble and creates additional interest and a high quality tactile feel to key touch areas. The flow-through centre console is finished in a variety of contrasting finishes depending on series and soft-touch material is used extensively throughout the cabin to emphasise the quality and refinement of the interior.

The primary shade of the instrument panel on Ambiente models is black, while on the other series customers can choose from either black, blue or biscuit colourways, complementing seat and trim options. Both instrument panel and doors feature additional trim accents according to series level, ranging from a dark shade of wood effect veneer on the Ghia and Ghia X models to brushed chrome on Titanium and Titanium X models.

Perfect Choice for Performance and Efficiency

New Ford Mondeo customers can choose from a wide variety of powertrains including frugal Duratorq diesels and the range-topping 220 PS 2.5-litre Duratec 5-cylinder petrol unit as used in the Ford S-MAX and based on the engine of the high-performance Ford Focus ST.

Key advancements in the powertrain line-up for the new Ford Mondeo include:

• Latest state-of-the-art clutch
• Dual-mass-flywheel matched systems technology
• Upgraded hi-tech electronic engine management systems together with an electronic throttle for precision torque control every millisecond
• Highly efficient integrated radiator/intercooler/condenser heat exchanger packages
• Duratorq diesel engines employ sophisticated high pressure multiple injection techniques to smooth out the combustion process, controlling cylinder pressure rise rates and providing the ultimate in smooth NVH and clean emissions performance

Mondeo petrol engine choice includes Ford's light and efficient 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT technology petrol engine - used in Mondeo for the first time - equipped with a Ford Durashift iB5 5-speed transmission.

From late 2007, the range will be expanded with a new 2.3-litre Duratec HE 161 PS 4-cylinder petrol unit, coupled to the new Durashift 6-speed automatic transmission featuring a Sport mode. This changes gear at higher engine revs and also allows the driver to adjust their individual driving style by changing to manual mode for a more involved driving experience.

Additional petrol units are the 2.0-litre 145 PS unit mated to the MTX-75 5-speed manual transmission and the range-topping 2.5-litre 220 PS engine coupled to the M66 6-speed manual transmission.

The Duratorq diesel line-up starts with a refined 100 PS, 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi coupled to Ford's Durashift 5-speed manual transmission. A 125 PS version of the 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi is also available with a choice of the Durashift 5-speed or Durashift 6-speed manual transmission. Ford's popular 130 PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is also available and can be specified with a choice of Ford's Durashift 6-speed manual transmission or, from late 2007, the new 6-speed automatic transmission. A high output 140 PS 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with standard DPF is also available with Ford's Durashift 6-speed manual transmission.

Mondeo Safety Systems

The new Ford Mondeo features an impressive no-compromise array of active and passive safety technologies. The basic foundation for these features is the car's ultra-stiff body structure, which reduces the deformation of the passenger safety cell. The new Ford Mondeo also features a new airbag for the driver's knee area and a horizontal stroking steering column which together have further enhanced Ford's acclaimed Intelligent Protection System (IPS).

Safety is a key focus for Ford engineers when new models are developed. The target is to achieve optimised protection for all the car's passengers through the use of active and passive safety systems. Active safety systems are intended to aid the driver in avoiding a collision, while passive safety systems protect the passengers and help reduce and avoid injuries.

It is recognised that Ford's models are performing at their best ever level in independent crash testing in both left and right hand drive versions

"This is a family car and family cars need to have a level of safety that firmly and safely protects all people that sit in the car," said Gisbert Gäb, Manager, Vehicle Safety. "We employ a holistic approach and we have integrated safety into nearly everything in the car. For every detail we have endeavoured to make the safety as good as possible."