Ford Mondeo; Review

 

Ford's Mondeo has adopted a fresh new look. A number of detailed exterior changes strengthen the design of the car and complements Mondeo's driving quality.

The Mondeo range offers something for every customer, it looks sportier and more luxurious, yet retains a contemporary, classic design.

Signalling the changes outside are restyled front and rear bumpers with new lower valances, plus more detailed chrome applications around the vehicle.

"When looking at the current Mondeo we saw an already stylish vehicle, yet we knew from customers and from our own perspective that detailed changes could make it more contemporary," said Chris Bird, Ford's European director of design.

"It wasn't any one thing that we identified, but several subtle nuances that we could make adjustments to in order to enhance the visual appeal."

Such adjustments to the four-door and five-door models include a new look upper and lower grilles at the front, the addition of chrome accents and more clear glass to the large rear lamps, giving them a fresh, elegant appearance.

In addition, the new-look rear bumper lower valance now incorporates distinctive and functional red reflectors on four- and five-door models.

Mondeo has been praised for its driving performance since its launch in 1993. But what Ford's driving quality engineers strived for and achieved with the latest generation Mondeo, is an ideal balance between comfort and control at a high level. This was achieved by developing a suspension that offers good isolation from the road and offers the driver a confident feel from a vehicle that reacts to driver input as expected.

A state-of-the-art chassis system helps Mondeo meet differing driver and road surface demands. With drivers putting the emphasis on high-speed stability, a world-class suspension ? both front and rear ? is a must. Roads are also often tight and curving, also demanding an uncompromising and highly controllable architecture.

"We are very proud at Ford of our ability to achieve what we consider excellent vehicle dynamics that equal or surpass the best in the segment," Ford New Zealand Mondoe brand manager Suzanne van Pels said.

"It is a challenge to achieve just the right equilibrium in the areas of steering input, road feel and comfort. Judging from reactions of both our customers as well as automotive experts, we have met that challenge by attaining the right symmetry to offer exceptional vehicle driving dynamics."

The new Mondeo retains Ford's Intelligent Protection System (IPS), an array of safety technologies it pioneered.

Key elements of IPS, which is standard equipment across the Mondeo range, include:

# Adaptive dual-stage front air bags for the front-seat occupants, with an advanced detection system that analyses frontal crash severity, driver position plus passenger-seat occupancy

# Pretensioners and load-limiting retractors on safety belts for front-seat occupants In addition to robust protection for frontal collisions, Mondeo also features standard technology for side impacts:

# Inflatable side curtains for both front- and rear-seat occupants

# Chest-protecting side air bags for front-seat occupants

"Our approach to the safety system of the Mondeo was uncompromising," Ms van Pels said.

"We are committed to keeping the new Mondeo at the forefront of safety."