Ford Mondeo: Kinetic Mid-Sizer Returns To Oz

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/October/2007

Sydney, Australia — The Mondeo is back, priced at less than $30,000, and is gearing up to deliver to send shockwaves through the current mid-sized car clan. Vehicles like the Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro, and importantly the Toyota Camry are all holding their breath as one of Europe's most stylish vehicles comes to Australia.

The design is this vehicles biggest asset. It uses Ford's 'kinetic' design ethos seen on the S-Max people mover and the new Kuga crossover SUV. The Ford Mondeo's design is modern, sleek and just a little bit sporty. The all-new Ford Falcon, due around March 2008, is likely to bear a closer resemblance to this car as Ford's new global boss, Alan Mulally, wants to tie all of Ford's global products closer together.

"New Ford Mondeo marks a step change for Ford in terms of design and technology," says Ford Australia's President, Tom Gorman.

The new Mondeo comes in either sedan or hatchback (though it looks more like a sporty liftback) with a standard feature list that includes an Intelligent Protection System (IPS). This protection system is made up of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), plus Dynamic Stability Control and seven airbags. As such, the new model is one of the safest mid-sized cars on the road. 

The Australian pricing is as follows:

LX 4-door 6-speed automatic: $29,990
Zetec 4-door 6-speed automatic: $34,990
Zetec 5-door 6-speed automatic: $34,990
TDCi 4-door 6-speed automatic: $37,990
TDCi 5-door 6-speed automatic: $37,990
XR5 Turbo 5-door 6-speed manual: $41,990

The entry level LX comes with a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine similar in design to the Mazda6 engine, with 118kW and 208Nm. There's also a 2.0-litre diesel with big reserves of torque (320Nm) and the range-topping Ford Mondeo XR5 Turbo. This unique 5-cylinder sports model delivers turbo performance with 162kW.

As well as the new look exteriors, the interiors are also highly contemporary, with an uncluttered centre console and intuitive multifunction steering wheel buttons.

"Mondeo will introduce new levels of style, refinement and safety to the medium size segment and set a new benchmark for how a car should drive," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.

"Exemplary driving dynamics is a key element of Ford DNA and Mondeo is no exception. The new model delivers an outstanding driving experience and customers will be extremely impressed with just how good the overall package is."

There are four models in the Australian Mondeo range including the base model LX, a higher specification Zetec, an economical low emission turbo diesel and the range-topping luxury performance Mondeo XR5 Turbo.

Ford claims that all models in the range provide for an intuitive, flexible and spacious interior package, offering an intelligent use of space with exceptionally generous luggage capacity. The model feature list run down is as follows:

Mondeo LX ($29,990): Using 9.5-litres of fuel per 100km, This model is available as a 4-door sedan and offers impressive levels of features and safety equipment as standard, including the Intelligent Protection System (IPS) with ABS, EBD, EBA, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag and full length side curtain airbags for rear passengers.

The Ford Mondeo LX also gets the capless refuelling feature, and an automatic hazard warning light. Voice control command of Bluetooth, audio, climate and phone control systems are optional extras on the LX.

Mondeo Zetec ($34,990): Using 9.5-litres of fuel per 100km, the higher specification Mondeo Zetec is available in either 4-door sedan or 5-door hatch and comes standard with all the features from the LX, such as the same IPS with seven airbags and DSC.

It is differentiated externally by 17-inch alloy wheels, an enhanced grille and fog lamps. Features over and above the LX include a Sony premium sound system (a 6-disc CD player with eight speakers and MP3 compatibility), rain sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and a leather wrapped steering wheel.

Both the LX and Zetec models are powered by the 2.3-litre Duratec 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 118kW and 208Nm, which is almost identical to the engine from the Mazda6. This 118kW engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift.

Mondeo TDCi ($37,990): Using 7.3-litres of fuel per 100km Powered by an advanced 2.0-litre Duratorq 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine, the TDCi model is the most fuel efficient in the range. It delivers on the key expectations of a modern diesel car says Ford: impressive refinement, large car performance and superior fuel efficiency.

"In the case of the diesel this equates to a range of more than 950km, or enough to travel from Melbourne to Sydney with enough remaining to drive around once you arrive," said Mr Gorman. 

The 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 96kW of power and peak torque of 320Nm from an easily accessible 1750rpm. The diesel Mondeo can be had in either 4-door sedan or 5-door hatch comes with all the comforts found in a Zetec model and also has a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Mondeo XR5 Turbo ($41,990): The range-topping Mondeo XR5 Turbo is the luxury performance model of the range. It uses the same 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbo engine as appears in the Focus XR5 Turbo, it will sit alongside other XR performance variants in the Ford portfolio such as the XR8 and XR6 Turbo Falcons, and the XR4 Fiesta. It drinks 9.5-litres of fuel per 100km.

With all the safety and comfort features as the Zetec and TDCi variants, the XR5 Mondeo gets the strongest visual treatment, with the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, lowered sport suspension and a performance-styled bodykit with front and rear bumpers, fog lamps, and unique upper and lower grilles and rocker panel moulding. Ford has also confirmed a range of new driver-focused technologies found in the XR5 Turbo include keyless start via a 'Ford Power' start button.

Ford's new Human Machine Interface is available across the range. Consisting of easily accessible steering wheel mounted controls and an easy to read cluster display, HMI means the driver's hands never have to leave the wheel to read relevant vehicle related information such as radio, phone and personalised settings. The Mondeo XR5 Turbo also offers an enhanced cluster display featuring a 15cm premium colour screen.

The 2.5-litre turbo engine develops peak power of 162kW is realised @ 5000rpm and the maximum 320Nm of torque is available from a user-friendly 1500rpm all the way through to 4800rpm. To further enhance the sports pedigree of the XR5 Turbo, it is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Ford claims that, in light of the impressive array of safety equipment and standard specification, the recommended retail price of all models sets a new benchmark for the segment. "With the arrival of Mondeo, Ford now has our strongest ever portfolio of imported small to medium passenger cars, giving us the ability to deliver an even greater range of desirable new vehicles to our customers," says Ford Australia's President Tom Gorman.

Mondeo is the first production iteration of Ford's exciting new 'kinetic design' philosophy in Australia, creating a sleek and dynamic profile expressing energy in motion. "The best way to describe kinetic design is to think about a sprinter at the starting blocks, tilting forward and poised for action – it's all about creating an athletic and purposeful stance. This is the image that the new Mondeo portrays, in motion or stationary," said Mr Gorman.

"Elements of kinetic design also apply to the interior of the vehicle and are evident in the ambient lighting, soft-touch materials and attention to detail in the cabin environment," said Tom Gorman.

Ford expects that the dramatic design, state of the art safety, innovative features and an attractive recommended retail price will see the new model enjoy the same success in Australia as it has already experienced in Europe.

There will also be a number of cost options, including prestige paint ($350), Voice control with Bluetooth ($450), and the LX 'Cruise Pack' option which includes cruise control, rear power windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a leather wrapped steering wheel for $1,500. Spend $1,900 and you can get a sunroof on all models except the LX, while leather seats with heated front seats for the Zetec and TDCi costs $2,000.

Related Links:
- FPV F6 X (2008)
- Ford Fiesta XR4 (Road Test)
- Ford Kuga Concept (2007)
- Ford Mondeo (2007)
- Ford Focus Diesel (Quick Drive)
- Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (Road Test)
- Next-Gen Ford Falcon in Detroit (2008)
- Ford Fiesta Zetec (Road Test)
- Ford Fiesta XR4 (2007)
- Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept (2006)
- Holden Commodore vs Ford Falcon (Road Test)
- Ford Territory Turbo (Road Test)
- Ford Falcon BF MkII (2006)