It's the car that Ford is pinning its future on - and Auto Express magazine has the exclusive pictures! The mag's stunning images show the blue oval's all-new Mondeo for the first time - and are proof that the firm is serious about moving its most critical model upmarket.
The next Mondeo will take cues from the SAV 5 concept displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. The MPV is said to be the first in a series to reveal Ford's fresh family face.
The Mondeo gets the SAV's angular headlamps and oblong tail-lights, while there are elements of the new Focus in its profile, with a low roof, narrow window line and high sides. And it is closer to production than you'd think. There are already several test mules running round, disguised under the bodyshells of other Ford cars such as the Galaxy and Focus C-MAX. The Mondeo will debut at the Paris Motor Show in September next year, before going on sale in January 2007.
In the meantime, a roadgoing version of the SAV is set to appear. Based on the Geneva show car, it's likely to be badged Mondeo D-MAX and will replace the Galaxy. However, there's still some speculation within Ford as to whether or not the Mondeo name will remain. While the badge has been hugely successful for the firm, detractors on the inside say it doesn't have a premium image, and will cheapen the end product. A final
ADVERTISEMENT decision on the name will be made this year.
One thing that's for definite, though, is that the new machine will be a fine car to drive. The original model redefined family saloon handling when it debuted in 1993, and then it raised the game even further when the current variant appeared back in 2000. This time, though, the car will not use a conventional platform. Instead, it will have what the blue oval describes as its Flexible Vehicle Architecture.
This relies on interchanging various components such as steering and suspension set-ups, as well as the option for the chassis to be front, rear or four-wheel drive. The new structure's possibilities are endless, and it's already earmarked for the next Volvo V70, S60 and S80, Jaguar's X and S-Type re-placements and Land Rover's Free- lander. Engines will also be shared with-in Ford's Premier Automotive Group, meaning the next Mondeo will get powerplants from the Volvo range including the 2.4 and 2.3-litre five-cylinder turbos from the S60 and V70. The Focus's 2.0 and 1.6-litre petrol motors will also appear, plus the 2.0 TDI. In addition, a flagship diesel is on the cards, using the 2.7 V6 found in the Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar S-Type.
The Mondeo will be offered in saloon and hatch format, along with a spacious estate, while Ford has yet to rule out a coupé. Craig Cheetham
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Otacon: The door leading to Metal Gear is locked with a card key.
Snake:Oh well, let all go home and have pie.
Otacon: No Snake! No pie!
Snake: Then the terrorists have already won...
The Mondeo does very well in Europe but flopped here. Remember the Contour? On paper it was a great car but a bit small for the four-door American market. Some of the lower trim models were plagued with minor to major problems that caused its reliability to suffer. Those of us lucky enough to own one of the roughly 10,000 SVT tuned out over 3 years have more of an idea of what a Mondeo is like. The regular Contours, while a bit more sporty than say an average Camry or Accord were toned down for the US market compared to Europe's Mondeo. Since we're getting the Fusion I doubt the Mondeo will ever officially come to the US market. But I think the new one there will be a great successor to the already popular present generation.
I'm not sure if I can take that seriously or not, the wheels look VERY much like the Saturn Aura's, and I also see quite a bit of the new Eclipse in it.
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
I meant as far as looks go. All the fords now are getting to look dull and bland.
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Otacon: The door leading to Metal Gear is locked with a card key.
Snake:Oh well, let all go home and have pie.
Otacon: No Snake! No pie!
Snake: Then the terrorists have already won...
quote: Originally posted by: SOAD2k8 "I meant as far as looks go. All the fords now are getting to look dull and bland."
Wait, are you saying Fords are just now starting to look bland? Where've you been for the past 10+ years?
I actually think that Fords are looking better than they used to, except I like last gen versions of some cars better than current ones (Focus, Mustang, I guess that's it but oh well).
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
quote: Originally posted by: Kevin " Wait, are you saying Fords are just now starting to look bland? Where've you been for the past 10+ years? I actually think that Fords are looking better than they used to, except I like last gen versions of some cars better than current ones (Focus, Mustang, I guess that's it but oh well)."
I agree that they have, and continue to look bland, but I like the new bland better than the old bland. I also liked the last Focus better, but I think the last Mustang's styling wasn't all that appealing. The new one looks great in GT form (in my opinion) but the regular isn't that great. If you've been in both/driven both though, I think you'll be quick to forgive your opinion on the exterior being worse, because absolutely everything else is better.
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
Since the Fusion would probably take the place the Mondeo would if it was in Ford's NA lineup, I'd think its sort of unlikely that Ford would bring the Mondeo here.
quote: Originally posted by: Lorinser "Since the Fusion would probably take the place the Mondeo would if it was in Ford's NA lineup, I'd think its sort of unlikely that Ford would bring the Mondeo here. -- Edited by Lorinser at 14:51, 2005-03-28"
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DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL, MY BRAIN IS CURRENTLY NOT FUNCTIONAL. MY EMPLOYER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE NO WAY OF PREDICTING HOW LONG THIS ISSUE WILL TAKE TO CORRECT.
Where've you been for the past 10+ years? 
