The Ford Mondeo began its life in 1993, when it was launched as the replacement for the Blue Oval's ageing Sierra.
It was billed as the first 'car for the world', with Ford hoping the model would gain the same affinity with the public as the iconic Model T.
Ford took lessons learnt from its sales of the Escort, namely that European and American models would need different routes to market, and planned the Mondeo's launch accordingly.
American innovations, like the inclusion of a driver's airbag, were brought over for the European version, which was to be offered in three body styles. Buyers could also pick from one of five trim levels: Base, LX, GLX, Ghia and Si.
Initially, the Mondeo was offered with three petrol engines, including a 1.6-litre, a 1.8-litre and a 2.0-litre unit. The 1.6-litre unit had 104bhp which allowed for a 0-60mph time of 12.5sec, while the 1.8-litre had 114bhp and a 0-60 time of less than 10 seconds.
The 2.0-litre engine offered up 134bhp, which allowed the Mondeo to sprint from 0-60mph time of 9.6sec.
The Ford Mondeo shared little with the Sierra that preceded it. For one thing, the Mondeo was 5cm shorter than the Sierra, making it more suitable for British garages.
Ford had done its homework with the Mondeo and it subsequently proved to be a hit, beating its rivals and clinching the Car of the Year award from What Car? in 1993
In 1994, the Mondeo continued its success and won European Car of the Year. That year also saw Ford put its V6 petrol variant of the Mondeo into production.
1996
Three and a half years into production, the Ford Mondeo received a facelift that brought around changes inside and out. The new Mondeo shed up to 18kg from the previous model, improving performance and economy.
The Mk2 Mondeo had a base price of £12,395 for the 1.6-litre Aspen version, rising to £20,850 for the V6 Ghia X. With improvements made to the ride, handling and engine, the Mondeo stayed ahead of its competitors.
In 1997 a new sporty V6 variant, the ST-24, was introduced. Featuring a 2.5-litre 168bhp V6, which catapulted the ST-24 from 0-62mph in 8.0sec and onto a top speed of 148mph, the car was Ford's first ever ST.
The next ST variant, the ST200, was introduced in 1999. The car was named after the engine output of its 2.5-litre V6 engine (although the engine actually produced 202bhp), and was sold with Recaro seats and sports suspension. The police quickly started using the ST200 as a pursuit car.
2000
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The first models
I still see some of the first models running on the roads. So much for the questions on Ford's reliability.
I agree with Marj, preferred
I agree with Marj, preferred the Xantia and the post-facelift 406s over the Mondeo.
Had an early Zetec (Zeta) in a 92 Orion, was a terrible engine. Early Mondeos tend to rust round the arches, the bumpers by now are mostly duck tape, the 1.8 I test drove had a ridiculously heavy clutch.
Mind you, they're the only Ford I'd consider (until the Mustang gets a UK release).
I had access to company
I had access to company petrol Mondeos around 94 when they launched, I remember the steering, it just went where you pointed it, no roll ; leaning on the outside front wheel, no understeer scrub it was pin point. It flowed. One of the frist modern handling fwd cars. Later I had a Peugeot 405 that was also very good perhaps not as light feeling, more nose heavy ( a diesel) and with a rubbish interior and gearbox.