Countdown to Ford's future

Ford has its eye on the stars with its new Mondeo range. ALASTAIR SLOANE counts down the car's good points.

Ford has borrowed a phrase from the 20th-century space race to prepare for the 21st century. It is banking on its new corporate slogan, "We have ignition" to spark international sales to the point where its executives can collectively shout, "We have lift off."

Ford in this part of the world announced the new catchphrase at the Melbourne motor show last month.

Its New Zealand managing director Nigel Harris used it publicly for the first time 48 hours ago, at the launch of the new Mondeo range.

"Welcome to the new Ford Mondeo - we have ignition," he said. Now he is waiting for the buying public to provide the booster rocket.

Harris and his executives showed off the new car on a drive from Auckland to the Chateau. "It is very important for Ford New Zealand," he said.

"It represents our challenge for leadership in one of the most important volume segments in this market and is an important addition to the stable.

"We believe the new Mondeo range will bring us substantially closer to our key objectives - sustained profitability, strengthening market share and steadily improving brand image and customer satisfaction."

The eight-model Mondeo range comprises two sedans, four hatchbacks and two station wagons and is priced between $35,900 for the entry-level 2.0-litre sedan and $45,900 for the 2.5-litre V6 hatch. Prices are the same as the outgoing model.

Built at Ford's plant in Genk, Belgium, the Mondeo has been designed to build on its predecessor's strengths and success.

It comes with the choice of two engines - a 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder and a 2.5-litre V6, mated to either a five-speed manual transmission with revised gear ratios, or a four-speed automatic with an electronic adaptive shift mode.

Ford says both have been built for longer life. The service life of the transmission is about 250,000km.

The Mondeo's body shell is 60 per cent stronger torsionally than its predecessor, a build strength which improves handling and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

It is also 150mm longer overall and its wheelbase has been stretched by 50mm. Ford says the result is more room for luggage and occupants, including rear-seat legroom that is the best in its class.

The interior is all-new, with better attention to detail. Ford admits such attention is a "fresh direction." It used its computer to simulate the difficulties a heavily pregnant woman might encounter as an occupant.

"Driving quality was the key element in our design process," said design director Chris Bird.

"Our objective was to make a quantum leap in the feeling of quality and precision of our interiors."

Ford says its new edge design philosophy, found in smaller models such as the Ka, Puma and Focus, gives the larger Mondeo a confident stance, characterised by taut surfaces and defined wheel arches.

The new car has been acclaimed in Europe for its high quality and its ride and handling.

It uses power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and rides on 16-inch wheels. Virtually every component of the suspension system has been revised, says Ford.

The MacPherson front setup and the multi-link rear system use new subframes to improve ride comfort. A further revision in the station wagon's setup results in a 33mm wider track to reduce body roll and allow clearance for wider tyres.

The Mondeo is the first Ford vehicle to be created digitally. Every component was engineered on computers, a process which shaved 13 months off development time.

"The significance of the new Mondeo to the future of Ford cannot be overstated," said Ford of Europe chairman Nick Scheele.

"Our flagship has been the groundbreaker of new technology that will help Ford to develop products not only quicker but also better.

"It is the first of an aggressive new product launch that will see Ford treble its product introduction pace over each of the next five years."

The Mondeo's safety package includes ABS anti-lock brakes, an electronic stability programme, front and side airbags and inflatable curtains, seatbelt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors on front-seat safety belts, side impact beams and a collapsible pedal structure.

All Mondeo models come with five-year anti-rust warranty. Service intervals for the petrol engines have been extended to 20,000km and Ford says non-routine repairs, like changing a water pump or headlight bulb, will take between 16 and 22 per cent less time.

A decision to use recycled plastic in the Mondeo's intake manifold is expected to result in the reduction of 1000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide generation annually.

Ford says it is the first carmaker to use recycled materials in a plastic manifold.

A remote audio control unit on the steering wheel allows the driver to change stations, adjust volume and, on two of the models, even switch to another CD in the in-dash, six-CD player.