The new Ford Mondeo will score a world first as a modern-era family car powered by a tiny 1.0-litre engine at launch in autumn 2013. Power will come from the smooth-revving 123bhp, three-cylinder Ecoboost, claimed to produce just 125g/km of carbon — comparable with today’s 2.0TDCi diesel.
The 1.0T Ecoboost will be the jewel in the crown of a new Mondeo range that has to fight for sales in an increasingly competitive market.
Roughly similar in footprint to the outgoing model, the new 4.8m-long Mondeo on display at the Paris motor show is slightly lower, but sits on the same 2850mm wheelbase, a reflection of the significantly-modified, but carry-over platform.
A key change to the Mondeo, code-named CD391, is a new rear suspension that retains a multi-link layout but moves to an ‘integral link’ design, said to be similar to that employed by Audi and BMW. It replaces today’s unequal length control arm layout.
Also of interest to enthusiasts is the switch to electric power steering, which saves fuel, but requires careful engineering to deliver enthusiast-friendly steering. Ford is adamant that the new Mondeo will retain the current car’s handling balance and steering sharpness while adding an extra edge of ride comfort. ‘We are confident it won’t disappoint,’ says Ford.
The latter has been a key requirement for the US market, where the Fusion, the Federal version of the Mondeo, is just going on sale.
Both cars have been co-developed under the ‘One Ford’ program and are substantially the same vehicle. ‘Think of the way the new Focus has been engineered for both the US and Europe and that’s a guide for the new Mondeo,’ says Ford.
The chassis tune of the US and European versions is said to be ‘surprisingly close’, the minor differences explained by the requirement for the US version to ride on all-season tyres, whereas European cars ride largely on summer tyres.
Also significant is the new Mondeo’s styling which features an aggressively raked rear screen that gives a fastback look to the family hatch. Although US and mainland European markets will get a four-door saloon bodystyle, British buyers will be limited to the five-door and estate.
The styling is the work of Briton Chris Hamilton, who designed the Fusion/Mondeo in the US, but has recently returned to Europe to support the launch here. His design is bold, centred on a dominant chrome grille with a flavour of Aston Martin’s shape and body sculpting, and detailing inspired by the Evos concept shown at Frankfurt last year. However, a question that’s yet to be answered is how well the Fusion’s US-influenced design will transfer to Europe.
Hamilton’s design is said to incorporate significant engineering changes to the carry-over platform, like a lower seating position to accommodate the rakish roofline, a lower boot floor to guarantee adequate luggage capacity and narrower A-pillars to improve forward visibility. Clever interior design includes a sculpted rooflining in the rear cabin to create sufficient headroom under the sloping rear screen.
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2014? Mondeo - Next Generation
Knowing that the US Fusion is available in saloon configuration was at first potentially good news - untill I saw the mess thay have made with the boot hinge mechanism - a total dissastor. Why did they not keep the 2007-2009 MkIV saloon (Passat) cantilever hinge system, which takes up very little space. I run a 2008 MkIV saloon which has a MASSIVE boot, but was driving a Toyota Avensis recently with 'Dinky' toy car hinges and ended up losing a lot of storeage space due to these clumsy hinges - which Ford are fitting to the MkV. Since the saloon will not be available in the UK, I'll be going for the Estate - if nothing better comes on the scene first. Meanwhile I am VERY happy with my MkIV Titanium X saloon and would never swap it for an Hatchback. PS I owned a MKIV Mondeo Titanium H/B previously and it 'wallowed' around corners with its huge top heavy rear end - like the two rear tyres were soft. The MkV saloon should be put on sale in Europe - but Ford Europe please please please fix the boot hinges first - you are far better than these gun tottin' trigger happy cousins across the Atlantic who don't know the difference between a bouncy castle and bad road handling
Of coarse it has enough Power! Torque!
The new ford 1.0 litre is a remarkable engine. Giving customers the option of opting not to choose a diesel, ok sacrafic some mpg but then giving you the option of a petrol, quiet, light effient and a better engine noise! The 1.0 in 125 ps option has 125lb to torque thats more than the equivalent 1.6 normaly aspirated one today! Plus its lighter, more fuel effient, more torque, lower c02 etc.. Ford are also currently working on a 170 bhp 1.0 version of the engine, but I would say that will must of have some turbo lag before of the size of the engine and the size of the output because of the turbo pressure is high then againe it could be amazing! but its likely to see that until 2014. The mondeo is a big car but if you want more power there are more powerfull 1.6 turbo and tdci's to choose from but the 1.0 would be a good engine
Classy!!!!!
Starting to look a bit premium now,Ford tried before but it looked too plasticky, this is better,watch out VW!
New Mondeo
Now it is so huge, what does it offer that a 520d cannot provide with so much more class at the same time?
If you just need space on a budget surely a Skoda is a better idea (whether Octavia or Superb)?