Longer At Last
by Ross Finlay (13 Sep 00)

Ford has built more than 2.5 million Mondeos since the car was launched in 1993, and it has always had its critics for not providing enough rear passenger space.

That's all changed. The new Mondeo, due to go on sale in November, stands on a longer platform, and has an extended wheelbase which not only improves the appearance but also releases more cabin room.

The whole car, now featuring projector headlights with a xenon option, looks much fresher, more up to date and better proportioned. It's the first Ford model ever to have been created digitally. But even with the barrage of computer-aided design, engineering and manufacturing, which greatly reduced the time from the original approval of the appearance to what the company calls Job One, the all-new styling remains a fine job of work from the team headed by Ford of Europe's director of design, Chris Bird.

While the specification levels are familiar - LX, Zetec, Zetec-S, Ghia and Ghia X - the engines aren't. Most engines in the previous Mondeo range were getting a bit long in the tooth, and the new designs are certainly welcome.

The launch of the new car is also the world launch of Ford's Duratec HE four-cylinder petrol engine family, which will later appear in other model ranges too. These lightweight aluminium engines come in 1.8-litre and two-litre capacities, with 122bhp in the first case and 142bhp in the second.

The other petrol engine is the familiar 166bhp 2.5-litre V6, modified to the extent of having a revised air intake system, lightweight chain drive for the camshafts, and various other features intended to cut noise and vibration.

Big Things Expected From Duratorq

Very important for a company which has never been a class leader in diesel design, there's also a new direct injection intercooled turbo diesel. The two-litre Duratorq engine peaks at 112bhp and offers a strong 206lb/ft of torque from 1900rpm. Ford expects it to return 61.4mpg extra urban and 47.9mpg combined.

One new feature for a Ford diesel is the Duratorq's overboost capability. If you need an extra surge of power for overtaking or whatever, standing on the throttle will take the torque, for a few seconds, right up to 228lb/ft.

The MTX-75 transmission has been modified, and, as well as being longer, the new car has a wider track front and rear. It's important for Ford that the next generation Mondeo should handle as well, compared with its immediate rivals, as the original car, with which Jackie Stewart was so closely involved.

Wider door openings, new seat design, better visibility, more stowage spaces and standard inflatable side curtains are all features of the new car. There are big changes to the interior styling too, for example in the instrument display, switchgear and part metal-spoked steering wheel as seen in the latest Galaxy.

Like the previous models, the new Mondeo will be built at Genk in Belgium. The earlier types were sold in 19 European countries, from Finland to Portugal and from Ireland to Greece.

Sales peaked at 380,083 in 1994, when the Mondeo was European Car of the Year. They dropped over the next two years, rose again in 1997, but by 1999 were down to 231,943. The new model has come at just the right time.

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