Ford Mondeo

Ford puts the sale in May 2008 a new engine, the most powerful diesel in its range of road vehicles. It has 2.2 liter displacement, 175 HP and is available only to large vehicles in its range: Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max. It's the same engine, with different potency, with the Citroën C5 and Peugeot 407 (among others) as it is developed under the agreement signed between Diesel engines PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Ford.

Until the arrival of this engine, the new Mondeo range comprises a range of three body (four doors, five doors and familiar), and six versions of equipment: "Environment", "Trend", "Ghia", "Ghia X ',' Titanium 'and' Titanium X.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the 2.2 TDCi engine of 175 hp, Ford will offer a new version, called "Titanium S 'for the 5-door saloon body and family. Ford Spain has not yet decided what engine will be offered with this version (which will also be available on the S-Max). The Mondeo 'Titanium S' is distinguished by changes in the look, exterior and interior, and suspension.

Thus, the versions' Titanium S "have a harder suspension, which lowers the height of the body from the ground between 10 and 15 mm (depending on engine), in relation to other versions.

The interior is distinguished by a partially upholstered with leather seats and the red thread of the seams (image). Different materials in the dashboard and doors are also characteristic of this version.

Versions' Titanium S 'is also distinguished by lower skirts and rear spoiler. The trapezoidal grille at the front skirt has a frame, silver or anthracite, depending on the color of the body. In addition, both have a unique honeycomb. Makes a similar framework for the fog lights contour. In the rear bumper, there is an integrated air diffuser (image). The tires are 18 ".

Until the new engines and versions with a body of four or five doors, the price ranges from € 21,715 ( 'Environment' 1.6, 123 hp) up to € 32,560 (Titanium X 2.5, 220 hp). Price, equipment and record the versions of four and five-door. As a launch promotion, Ford offers an options package valued at € 750 (which includes different elements depending on the level of equipment) and more than two years warranty (four in total) or 80,000 km 'FordProtect.

With the new 2.2 diesel engine, the Mondeo's engine range comprises four diesel and three petrol. The Diesel are 125, 130, 140 and 175 hp, the gas is 123, 145 hp and 220 hp. The Diesel 130 hp and 175 will necessarily associated with a gearbox six-speed manual.

Considering its price, the Mondeo is one of the best saloons that are for sale. It is particularly recommended because it exceeds the average in areas such as interior space and is among the best in comfort (not for suspension, but by the little noise reaching the interior) and, with some exceptions, for quality. It is also very stable, although its advantage over others is not as great as in the previous Mondeo.

Because of their size, need much space to maneuver (a Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6 is a smaller and more maneuverable), and sometimes that can be a drawback. No maneuver in space, in part, because all the body's Mondeo (4p, 5p and Wagon) are very bulky. Among the bodies of 4 and 5p, the most interesting is the five-door, for several reasons: it is slightly shorter, is almost the same volume of the trunk of four doors and is more functional because the trunk is loaded with greater ease (thanks to gate).

The Mondeo diesel engine with 140 hp we liked because it is quiet because the engine responds well and because it has a good relationship between performance and consumption. This version "Trend" with 140 hp diesel engine costs € 24,715, there are cars that cost the same and are not as comprehensive as the Mondeo (for example, the Peugeot 407, the Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat). However, the Mondeo is not the best possible price and size inside, such as a Skoda Superb or a Citroen C5 are also very spacious and have a somewhat lower price.

The other version we tested is the 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline 220 hp. This version gives good performance with a fuel consumption standard for power and acceleration capabilities (potentially much).

The Mondeo 2.5i engine with 220 hp is only sold with the level of equipment 'Titanium X. This version has a higher price than the others, partly because of its equipment. Still, there is no other sedan that is so fast and cheap with a similar equipment. For example, the Peugeot 407 or Citroën C5 with a V6 engine (211 hp and 207 respectively) are cheaper, but benefits are clearly worse than the Mondeo 2.5T. The more interesting alternative to the Mondeo 2.5i 220 hp is the Passat 2.0 TFSI 200 hp (because it has an engine that gives a slightly better relationship between performance and consumption).

The biggest difference between the Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 hp and 220 hp 2.5 T is in the engine. That is, Ford has done with a 2.5 T Sport version, with a suspension harder or with different reactions. In addition, the equipment can be identical in both versions.

The Mondeo's equipment can be very rich. Series of seven airbags (two front, two front side, two curtain-type head and one knee for the driver) and stability control, among other things.

Some of the items of equipment are very interesting and locks automatic dual xenon headlights (which illuminate very well and can be combined with an adaptive lighting system), the control system of tire pressure or 'Bluetooth' with voice control for certain functions. Bring the best seats in the versions' Titanium 'and' Titanium X 'also, these versions come with a color screen behind the wheel with more features than the monochrome screen.

The Mondeo may have two types of suspension optional hardest one (sport) and a variable setting. Variable adjustment of the suspension works well, and can bring comfort or stability depending on the circumstances. In any case, it is very necessary because the suspension of the Mondeo range has a very good compromise between stability and comfort.

There are two navigation systems, one with maps on CD with monochrome screen, the other on DVD with a color screen. The Mondeo takes one shot to an external sound source of 3.5 mm (mini type), but no USB connection.

Some elements seem disposable equipment, such as the speed of asset.

Between what they can not have the Mondeo is the electric parking brake (which may have the Galaxy). It also lacks a system of integrated child seats in the rear seat (Isofix rings only), like the Volvo V70, for example. Nor can other equipment more or less recent than me seem less useful as a warning of unintended lane change, detection of objects in blind spots and night vision devices.

Later there will be a Mondeo petrol engine with 2.3 liter four cylinder. Ford currently has no plans to mount six-cylinder engine (also not needed, taking into account the benefits of version 2.5-liter 220 hp).