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This is it then, the latest car to be billed as the saviour of the automotive giant which is the Ford Motor Company, which has been losing money hand over fist lately. So the third generation Mondeo becomes the latest in a line of cars charged with turning around the fortunes of what was once the world’s largest car producer.
The market for the traditional large family hatchback is shrinking, with private buyers preferring to opt to MPV’s such as the Renault Scenic and Ford’s own S-Max. Even so, the Mondeo will play the important role of being the car of choice for the fleet buyer.
This is the first car to use the new ‘Kinetic Design’, the trademark of which is the trapezoidal grille, swept back headlamps and bold wheel arches, which is currently being rolled out across the entire Ford range. The profile is dominated by the muscular shoulder line which runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear.
 Out on the road, the ‘old’ Mondeo had a reputation for being a driver’s car. I’m pleased to say the new model picks up this mantle, feeling sure-footed in the corners, nimble around town and mild-mannered on the motorway.
Once inside the Mondeo, the first impression is one of quality, the finish is excellent and the quality of materials used add to the up-market aura. The driving position has been set up with long-distance representatives being at the forefront of the designers mind, being both comfortable and supportive in the right places meaning you won’t need to make a trip to the osteopath after every trip out of the county. The muted hush in the cabin is rarely interrupted thanks to some excellent insulation and smooth engines.
 Out on the road, the ‘old’ Mondeo had a reputation for being a driver’s car. I’m pleased to say the new model picks up this mantle, feeling sure-footed in the corners, nimble around town and mild-mannered on the motorway.
There is a wide choice of power-plants, with the trend for getting more power out of smaller units to improve economy being at the forefront of the drive to improve economy and keep the green lobby at bay. The diesels offer great economy and the ever versatile 2.5 V5 from the Focus ST will add a sporty edge to the range.
A point which won’t be immediately apparent to drivers will be the exclusivity of the new model. It has become common in the UK for the BMW 3-Series to outsell the previous generation of Mondeo, therefore if you want something a bit different on your drive, the new Mondeo may be the answer!
Mark D’Apice
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