Ford is no exception when a new car is launched
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Also announced is the company’s first hybrid version meaning that, in total, there is a choice of forty five versions of petrol, diesel and hybrid Mondeos with their various trim and wheel specifications: Style, Zetec and Titanium
Ford says that the new car’s integral link suspension, stiffer chassis and new brakes deliver class-leading dynamics and improved stopping distances. Well, modern Fords have always proved they can provide a good driving experience, so this sounds exciting!
New safety technology includes the debut on the new Mondeo of Ford’s (it’s a mouthful) Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection…this ‘sees’ people in the road or that could cross your path and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond.
A further claim is that the car is quieter inside (up to three decibels less) and has best-in-class cooling (let’s hope for a hot summer, then).
Various new parking assist features are available, all very welcome, and further technology includes a powered tailgate, always a nice luxury item; an industry-first inflatable rear seatbelt; and the latest version of Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity that can keep you in touch with the world outside your car.
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Prices start from £20,975. Engines will range from Ford’s prize-winning 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder Ecoboost petrol unit (yes, one litre to power a big saloon!) up to the brand-new, 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel that delivers an impressive 450Nm of torque. For more economy, there’s an eco model that emits only 94 g/km and is therefore free of road tax.
On the launch in storm-hit Kent, the first new Mondeo tried was the 150PS diesel. This is the car that will account for as much as 70% of Mondeo sales.
Ours had a six-speed manual gearbox and was asked to cope with some dreadful driving conditions on, as it turned out, some testing narrow, rutted and flooded country roads. Of course, none of this was a problem for the car and, once we’d figured out how to work the heating and de-misting, nor was it for the driver!
The engine may not quite be the smoothest or quietest of all 2-litre diesels, but it pulled well. Nor did our particular manual gearbox have quite the slickest feel; however, the ratios were just fine.
In other respects, the car performed faultlessly – the steering and handling were very good …quote: ‘class-leading dynamics’? Probably a subjective conclusion, but still very good. The seats were very comfortable and the suspension managed some nasty challenges pretty well.
One or two problems with visibility popped up: the b-pillars are particularly broad so that some sideways or over-the-shoulder views were compromised. Also, both in the saloon (sorry, hatchback) and estate versions, the rear window is quite shallow. In our test car, the rear-view mirror was permanently in ‘darkened’ mode, which was not helpful in daylight. Further investigation is required because we were told later that this may have been because the vast optional panoramic roof in our car lets in so much light!
The fuel consumption over a 70-mile route with plenty of starting and stopping, acceleration and braking and some dual carriageway was an indicated 43.5 mpg. The official combined figure is (for what it’s worth) 64.2 mpg
Also tried was the 1.5-litre manual gearbox petrol car. This produces 160PS and provided a lively and refined performance, with the possibility of 0-62 mph in 9.2 seconds.
But the winner for us on the day was the hybrid. Let’s get its disadvantages out of the way first: it is a four-door saloon, not a hatchback and has a smaller boot-space because of the batteries, and it is not of the plug-in variety, relying on itself to do its own charging while on the road. (Is this why Ford are being a bit shy and producing only enough to fill a 3% sector of Mondeo buyers?),
Apart from this, and admittedly assisted by having an automatic gearbox, it was the nicest car to drive. It even has a different analogue digital instrument panel to the other Mondeos, so that it can show what’s happening in terms of economy or fuel usage from both sets of power plants.
This hybrid has a 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, one to support the drive to the wheels and the other to enable charging to the lithium battery. A maximum of 187PS is on tap, with the car quietly taking off up to around 20 mph when the petrol engine cuts in. The maximum range on electricity alone is, we would suggest, twenty to thirty miles, dependent upon driving conditions, use of lights, wipers, heater and so on.
Compared with other Mondeo performance and prices, 99 g/km means no road tax is payable and, given the auto box and general performance and equipment level, it seems to be really good value at £24,995.
Brand-new technology includes the inflatable rear seat belts. They should perhaps be called inflating, rather than inflatable, because they inflate automatically and spread the load upon the wearer five times more than the normal seat belt does.
There are so many features that it’s probably up to the individual to sit down and study the ones that stand out for him or her. For us, amongst others is the variability of the suspension settings for comfort, ‘sport’ or automatic, which responds to how you’re driving.
Let’s not forget the design. Inside and outside, although it’s obviously a matter of personal taste, the new Mondeo is a smart vehicle.
Compared with its main rivals, it’s well-priced. It’s also worth considering buying through Ford’s own new leasing strategy; certainly that’s something at least to investigate against other potential purchase schemes. It also has surprisingly good residual values at around 49% after three years.
Overall, it’s a versatile family car, especially in estate form, with its huge boot and easily-folded rear seats.
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About the Author
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Share the Review of the All-New Ford Mondeo by Tom Scanlan