subject: Under Review : The Ford Mondeo [print this page] Unless you blinked and missed it, you may have seen this car in a James Bond flick, Casino Royale. It's Ford's Mondeo, evidently rental vehicle of choice for MI6's finest.
80% of outgoing sales were fleet/lease purchases so understandably the likes of Avis, Budget and significant fleet purchasers will be chomping at the bit for the car.
And why not too, the sleek and sporty new looks deliver a road presence the car once lacked. In either saloon, hatch or estate configuration it's certainly enough to give any car a run for its money.
Up front your gaze is drawn to the stylish headlights that bear similarities to Ford subsidiary brand Jaguar's upcoming XF, the look being completed with a contemporary trapezoidal lower grill. At 4844mm long (sedan) and 1500mm wide the new model is notably larger, which imparts a premium, large car like quality that could pose a risk to some Falcon models.
At entry-level, the saloon sits on fleet-friendly 16-inch steel wheels, while the higher spec Zetec receives alloys, fog lamps and an enhanced front grill.
Inside the build quality is the best on offer from the blue oval, again giving a premium perception to the occupants and there's been little skimping when it comes to levels of equipment.
Power adjustable seating is offered at base 2.0 liter saloon level, albeit without the electric height adjustment the Zetec spec receives, there are also handy creature comforts such as a trip computer, leather steering wheel with audio/cruise controls and tilt/reach adjustment and an i-Pod auxiliary plug. Safety features are class-leading with all models picking up front, side, driver's knee and curtain airbags and stability control. The Zetec sits in the middle of the pack and includes dual zone climate air, ebony cloth trim, map reading lamps front and rear in addition to the exterior styling enhancements.
The range-topping Zetec Sports pack adds to the Zetec's price but sets the vehicle out from the crowd with an aggressive body kit, 17-inch wheels and leather interior.
Regardless of the model, you'll remain comfortable on the long hauls, as seating is well bolstered and supportive, with plenty of leg and headroom, perfect for the sales rep or family alike.
A key feature in captivating the private sector is the cars dynamic handling characteristics, which has always stood head and shoulders above rivals, so the new version must be even better right? Well, sort of.
The suspension is stiffer, but you'd never know it, as the ride control over corrugations is excellent, setting the benchmark for the class.
Chassis rigidity is up 116% in Saloon, 130% in hatch and a massive 159% in estate formats, so after our initial launch drive we were surprised to find some of the legendary crispness has been blunted in the latest addition. Lighter steering and increased footprint appear the culprit here and the car does feel less nimble and engaging that it once did. In reality though this is a moot point, as it is still a class leader in handling.
We have the option of either a 107kW 2.0 liter petrol engine, available only in the saloon with a manual (5 speed) gearbox, all other variants are fitted with the 2.3 liter, 118kW petrol with a six-speed automatic. Both engines have a proven reliability record and are shared with Mazda's 3 and 6 ranges of vehicles.
Despite being the odd one out - available in only the base model saloon - the 2.0 manual is the pick of the bunch on the drivability front for your money. The 2.3 automatic would benefit from more low down torque, but overall provides a good combination of performance and economy with its smooth shifting six-speed automatic.
Some consolation comes when perusing the new Mondeo's pricelist, which sits perilously close to Ford's own Focus RRP's.
It's much more than a fleet hack this Mondeo, smart looks, excellent space, high build quality and confident driving dynamics bode well for private success. Here's hoping though, Ford can secure a license to thrill with both the diesel and 2.5 liter turbo petrol engines in the near future.
