We reveal the dramatic new look of the next Ford Mondeo, set to feature a hi-tech cabin and efficient enginesFord is gearing up to unveil the most desirable Mondeo ever. With a look inspired by the stylish four-door Evos concept car, plus a host of hi-tech kit, the saloon will hope to shift its everyday image.
Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012, the car will hit the road next summer.
Our exclusive illustrations – based on insider information and recent spy shots – show the Mondeo gets the latest Kinetic 2 design language.
This includes the large, inverted trapezoidal grille from the Fiesta, Focus and C-MAX, yet more pronounced and mounted higher up. Another key feature is the narrow headlights.
But the look is about much more than simply the blue oval’s family face. Two boldly defined feature lines adorn the sides, while bulging rear wheelarches and a steeply raked roofline reveal the car’s sporty intentions.
It’s not only the looks that will be inspired by the Evos; the Mondeo will also lift its powertrain from the concept. The range-extending 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motors won’t be offered from launch, but will follow. This will allow for an electric-only range of around 50 miles and about 500 miles between fill-ups.
More conventional engines will make up the rest of the range, including Ford’s 1.6 and 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol turbos. In the current car, the latter produces 200bhp and returns 36mpg economy, while the 1.6 – as found in the C-MAX – will offer 150bhp and 180bhp outputs. Also available will be a range of diesel models, including a 112bhp 1.6-litre TDCi and a 2.0 TDCi with 137bhp or 163bhp.
Even the traditional engines will be among the most efficient on the road thanks to eco tweaks currently used in the latest models, such as the Focus. These include stop-start, brake energy regeneration and active aerodynamics that close the grille at high speeds to improve fuel efficiency.
Under the skin will be a modified version of the current Mondeo’s front-wheel-drive chassis, which will include torque vectoring for the first time. This helps to shuffle power between the front wheels in corners to prevent understeer.
Inside, the impressive fit and finish and high-quality materials used in recent Fords will help the Mondeo bridge the gap to more expensive rivals from Audi and BMW. A range of hi-tech gadgets will make the newcomer one of the most advanced models on the road.
This includes the SYNC entertainment system, which can play audio, read text messages and deal with voice commands through wirelessly connected smartphones. In addition, the Mondeo will get features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and parking assistance.
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