Ford Mondeo 2008

Before emailing a rave review of the new Ford Mondeo, I wanted to understand why an automaker with such great products in the Eurozone has such a mediocre reputation. The Ford dealer experience is miserable, but the Mondeo’s visual delights are marvelous. For me, a handsome car needs three basic characteristics: strength, cleanliness and character. The Mondeo nails all three. The four-door Ford’s long wheelbase (much longer than, for example, the Passat) accentuates its wide, muscular stance. Its sleek headlamps and taut taillights render it instantly recognizable; the detailing is flawless. The Mondeo’s interior may not be a high-style zone, but it’s a satisfying, well-thought-out piece of work. The cabin’s fake-aluminum steering wheel buttons look cheesier than Cheddar. In case you were wondering, the Ford Mondeo is a front wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle. My tester holstered Ford's 2.0-liter, 140hp diesel. The oil burner is an extremely refined unit, significantly smoother than the highly respected Volkswagen TDI. On paper, the diesel Mondeo’s 10.6 second zero to sixty sprint time seems, as the French are wont to say, insupportable. But the Mondeo serves-up a wave of torquey thrust from 1800 – 4500 rpm that helps Mondeo man maintain momentum. Using the standard light-action six-speed manual, I never ran out of gears. At a more sedate pace, I averaged 35 mpg.

Thanks to Ford chassis guru Richard Parry-Jones, the Mondeo’s handling is a revelation. When I lifted off the gas pedal in a high-speed curve, and then floored it, the Mondeo remained unruffled, with no nonsense from the electronic stability Nanny. The Mondeo rides well, too. On the freeway, over secondary undulations, the Mondeo is bettered by world-leading softies from Lexus, Mercedes and Citroen. In all other conditions, the Ford product rides like the low, long-wheelbase, wide

So what is the Mondeo? We could quote Germany's famously chauvinistic Auto,Motor & Sport, who said the Ford family sedan is better than the C-Class Mercedes. But let's just say it's a lower-profile, less-roomy Ford S-Max with slightly better handling and somewhat better fuel economy.

But more than that, the Ford Mondeo is exactly what its American admirers believe it to be: four-wheeled proof that Ford can build a world-class, value-priced car that satisfies both practical and emotional desires. For now, I’ll say this: if Ford can’t send the Mondeo stateside at a profit, they should send the people who built it.

source: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/01/2008-ford-mondeo-ghia-review

Ford Mondeo Price

Ford Mondeo Price, Ford Mondeo in 2011
Rs. 18,00,000
* Mumbai. May vary.

Expected in 2012

Ford Mondeo Review

The brand new 2011 Ford Mondeo was released to critical acclaim and has been subjected to a plethora of new safety features. New Mondeo’s now come equipped with driver alert, a pioneering new technology that is activated once the car reaches 40mph and remains in effect until the cars speed drops under 37mph. Driver alert actually monitors the vehicles lane alignment in order to analyse driver fatigue which is know to be a major cause of RTA’s. Should the vehicles lane alignment pattern become irregular, the driver will alerted that he or she needs to rest.

In order to be able to observe the position of the car, the driver alert unit relies on an internally mounted camera located behind the rear view mirror, and a variety of sensors. Data is passed to a central control unit which analyses the data, and drivers can even examine the data using the vehicles on board computer.

Adaptive cruise control is also provided with the new Mondeo, this radar based technology allows the driver to stipulated a minimum distance into the vehicles on board computer, and when activated, adaptive cruise control will actually engage brakes and decrease throttle to make sure that the minimum safe distance is maintained.

Collission mitigation braking employs the same radar technology used by adaptive cruise control to add a further layer of safety. The system can detect an imminent crash and can even help the driver by aiding braking force.

Redesign for the new 2011 model has been tastefully done, and the Mondeo’s already smooth lines are now more pronounced. The new design borrows heavily on the “kinetic” design of the Ford Focus, with the new interior featuring a flow through dash and stunning attention to detail. The overall quality of both materials and craftmanship is far superior to previous models, making the 2011 Mondeo actually quite sophisticated and elegant.

The new Mondeo is available from 17’695 on the road, although this is for the very basic entry model. Car leasing prices for these cars are as always be very reasonable. Mondeo’s are know to depreciate very slowly in the first few years, and as leasing prices are based on the depreciation of the car within the lease term, a reasonable spec 2011 Mondeo can be had for around 245 per month, although you can expect to pay slightly more if want optional extras.

source: http://articles-2go.com/vehicles/cars/a-review-of-the-2011-ford-mondeo-hatchback

Ford Mondeo Estate

In an era when all estates are marketed as "lifestyle" accessories (many are called "wagon" rather than good-old estate), it's refreshing to come across vehicles such as the load-lugging version of the latest Ford Mondeo.

Spacious and comfortable for passengers, it also has a truly vast load area. There are 542 litres with the rear seats in place, or 1,733 litres when they are folded flat. Our Mondeo also has a handy rubber mat with a lip, perfect for carrying messy or muddy items because it wipes clean and can easily be removed for a thorough hosing.

A word of praise, too, for the standard leather and Alcantra seats, which are the most comfortable I've encountered since I last drove a Volvo V70.

There is a downside to all that passenger space and the cavernous boot, however: the Mondeo estate is 4.83 metres long, so suitable parking spaces can be challenging to find.

Its punchy, 175bhp turbodiesel engine has 309lb ft of torque between 1,750 and 2,750rpm, which makes light work of real-world driving conditions. It will also lug from low revs without complaint although, like most modern diesels, it is best in the mid-range. The six-speed manual gearbox is as sweet as we've come to expect from Ford, its tall top gear making it a long-legged and refined cruiser at any speed, although it's particularly impressive on long motorway journeys. Claimed performance figures are a top speed of 135mph and 0-60mph in 8.6sec – but it often feels quicker, thanks to the surge of torque.

The official EU Combined fuel consumption figure is 45.6mpg (33.6mpg Urban), with CO2 emissions of 165g/km (VED Band H). Our car is used mainly for lengthy urban stints, with occasional long journeys, during which it has averaged just over 37mpg, although figures in the mid-50s are achievable on motorways.

The steering is meaty and direct, although it doesn't fully mask the front tyres' tendency to squirm for grip under spirited acceleration. I've not had much opportunity to explore the handling, although the Mondeo feels solid and secure at all times in general driving.

The ride is similarly unflustered. Even when the wide tyres thump into the worst of Britain's pockmarked roads, the shock doesn't unsettle the chassis.

A row of three buttons ahead of the gearlever enables you to adjust the suspension to (from the left), Comfort, Normal or Sport. Changing the settings doesn't provide startling behaviourial differences, although Sport mode is noticeably firmer and Comfort leads to a slight floating sensation on motorway undulations. I've found it's best to leave it in Normal – after all, Ford's engineers know a thing or three about suspension set-up.

With the recently adverse weather, the Ford's excellent front and rear screen de-icers are a boon, although you still have to brave the cold to scrape the side windows manually, of course.

The "service oil" warning light came on at 5,300 miles, despite the lubricant level being halfway between maximum and minimum on the dipstick. Initial concern was assuaged by a call to Ford's press garage – the car's computer is set to display the warning after a year of use, regardless of mileage, apparently. The first scheduled service is due at 12,500 miles.

The only blight has been inflicted by careless parking, namely a ding in the rear bumper due to contact with a low concrete bollard (in my defence, I thought the parking sensors at both ends, standard on the Titanium X, were bleeping a warning about the proximity of the cars on each side).

In top-spec Titanium X specification, the Ford Mondeo estate costs £25,300, while the optional satellite-navigation system is priced at £979.

It seems I'm not alone in thinking highly of the Mondeo, either, as it was crowned Best Estate and best Family Car in January's What Car? awards.

It costs £1,224 more than the five-door hatchback, but the extra versatility justifies the outlay. The icing on the cake? It looks much better, too.

source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews

Ford Mondeo Wagon

The cheapest Mondeo is now the LX hatch from $31,990, while the LX wagon is priced from $32,990 and revised and improved upmarket hatches begin with the new Titanium model at $42,90. There is still a diesel hatch, the TDCi, from $39,990.

The new wagon is just what we expected and intended as a serious threat to Holden's Commodore Sportwagon and the hordes of SUVs sold in Australia. It is well equipped and full of space.

There are two wagon models, the LX and Zetec, and both use the existing 2.3-litre cylinder unleaded engine and six-speed automatic gearbox. There is 542 litres of basic boot space - more than the Sportwagon, as Ford staffers point out many times - rising to 1733 litres with the rear seats folded flat. There is extra underfloor storage for some smaller items.

To put the ford Mondeo into perspective, Holden makes a maximum of 2000 litres with the Sportwagon but Ford still rules thanks to the 2584 litres in the homegrown Falcon wagon.

Space is still a priority in the mid-sized Mondeo class, but Ford's vice-president of sales and marketing says the wagon retains the hatchback's driving qualities. "It drives like a sedan, the customer looks at it as not making a compromise, they just needed more space; the space is a "surprise and delight" thing for them," says Beth Donovan. "We have more cargo space than a Sportwagon, with good fuel economy from the petrol engine, it's got plenty of hi-tech features as well," she says.

Donovan says Ford doesn't see the Mondeo wagon competing with the BF III wagon because they are aimed at different customers. "That (Falcon) is a non-private vehicle that is built to order for company fleet. What we're finding is the Mondeo wagon fits better into the private sector, it's appealing to a different buyer," she says.

The LX wagon has a decent features list for $31,990, with air conditioning, front power windows and an eight-speaker MP3 compatible sound system as well as voice-activated Bluetooth phone link, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Zetec is priced from $36,990 and ups that list with 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, a Sony sound system, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors; added to the Zetec spec is a USB input for the sound system (with full iPod integration) and the human-machine interface control system previously only on the XR5.

The hatch-only XR5 sports model starts at $44,990 and now has active cruise control, keyless entry, voice-controlled Bluetooth phone link, a sunroof, 18-inch alloys, bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights and alcantara/leather trim with red stitching.

The MB Mondeo update also introduces the Titanium model, which gives those looking for an XR5 without the clutch pedal something to consider. The Titanium sits on 18-inch alloys and sports suspension, with alcantara/leather trim, heated front seats, a sunroof, the keyless start system, voice-controlled Bluetooth and rear ventilation, as well as the adaptive cruise control with forward alert and dynamic headlights with swivelling low beam headlights and static cornering lights, firsts for a Ford vehicle in Australia.

Driving

The updated Mondeo range is well-featured - particularly from an active safety and infotainment perspective - putting itself ahead of much of its opposition in the segment for features and safety gear as well as remaining a well-balanced machine to drive.

The 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrol engine is smooth and quiet, which is a good thing because it has to work hard to keep the Mondeo rolling along. The uprated 103kW/320Nm diesel is quiet and powerful, and a far better all-rounder. The ride quality on the top-spec models with sports suspension and 18-inch wheel/tyre package isn't exactly supple, but the wagon are a good drive on the open road, despite the extra weight over the rear end.

There is little of the booming noise you sometimes get in wagons through the large loadspace and the car is very smooth and quiet overall, even when working the 2.3-litre engine hard. The LX/Zetec models offer a better ride/handling compromise. If you're looking for loadspace without the desire for an SUV, or the thirst of an SUV or V6-V8 wagon, then the new Mondeo deserves a place on the shopping list.

source: http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests

Ford Mondeo Zetec

There's no doubt that the driver's seating position is a key factor in whether you like or loathe a car.
In this car, the driving position is snug and cockpit-like.
I have the seat pulled forward to allow me to depress the clutch fully, and the side bolster on the cushion touches the centre console, adding to the cockpit-like feel.

The seat cushion has a protruding centre section that provides excellent lower thigh support yet is soft enough not to irritate the underside of your knees.
I adjust the seat back to get my arms at the right distance. The top of the seat provides good support for my shoulder blades, the side bolsters on the seatback give good lateral support during vigorous driving.
And vigorous driving is one of the new Ford Mondeo Zetec five-door hatchback's strong suits.
This car thrives on winding roads, and its beautifully-designed driving position just adds to the pleasure.
I like to sit relatively low and have the steering wheel relatively high and the Mondeo allows me to do that.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel has an ideal diameter and rim thickness that reinforce the good seating position.
The cleanly-styled circular instrument are where they should be - straight ahead of the driver - and are easy to read.
In city driving the Mondeo Zetec is very user-friendly, the power-assisted, variable-rate rack and pinion steering light in use but positive.
On the motorway heading for country roads the car cruises quietly and efficiently at 100km/h, the greatest noise being the roar from the P205/55 R16 tyres on patches of chip seal.
But it's on winding country roads that the Mondeo Zetec really comes into its own.

The communicative steering keeps you well-informed about what the chassis is doing.

Being front-wheel drive, the basic handling trait is understeer; but it's understeer that's well controlled. Even tight corners taken hard don't result in sledging.

Turn-in is crisp and instant and the car retains a pleasantly neutral feel with little in the way of rear-end movement.

On a favourite sequence of demanding uphill corners that ends in a progressively, then suddenly tightening left-hander the ford Mondeo acquits itself well.

This final corner is a real test of chassis finesse, but the Mondeo treats it with disdain. Just another corner, no need for mid-corner steering adjustments.

Roadholding is excellent and a damp road on a tricky, long radius, slightly off-camber left-hander gives no cause for concern. The Mondeo handles everything the road can throw at it - and more.
Ride quality is good, the suspension firm enough but never harsh.
Front suspension is by MacPherson struts and there's a four-link system at the rear.
Clutch action is light but retains good feel. Bite is instant and the car gets off the line easily and cleanly.
The five-speed manual gearshift is precise and the synchromesh unbeatable. Gearshifts are quick and accurate and the 'box is a pleasure to use in a cross-country sprint.

The 1999cc Duratec HE double overhead camshaft four cylinder engine is of all alloy construction. It has electronic, sequential multi-point fuel-injection.

The engine provides a useful 105kW of power at 6000rpm and 185Nm of peak torque at 4500rpm.

It's an engine that likes to rev, though its exhaust note is not especially evocative.

The car is quite heavy at 1392kg, but the lively motor gives reasonably quick acceleration. It will hit 100km/h in a shade under 10 seconds.

Official figures quoted by Ford put fuel consumption at 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the city cycle and 7.3 litres/100km on the highway cycle.

We managed to get a fair distance in before the fuel gauge moved far off the full position.

The fuel tank holds a handy 58.5 litres.

Brake performance was good even under fairly sever use. The system, which includes ABS, uses 300mm diameter ventilated front discs and 280mm solid rears.

The Mondeo is a moderately-big car, though its exterior packaging is so good it doesn't look big. It's 4731`mm long, 1931mm wide (with mirrors), and 1429mm high. The wheelbase is 2754mm. Front track is 1522mm and rear 1537mm.

Cabin comfort levels are good and there's good head and legroom, though the latter diminishes for rear seat passengers if the front seats are pushed right back.

The four-speaker audio system provides good sound and has a single Compact Disc player. The dashboard-mounted audio controls are augmented by steering column-mounted remotes.

The safety package includes dual front and side airbags for front seat occupants; anti-whiplash head restraints, and anti-intrusion beams in the doors.

Luggage capacity in the covered cargo area is 460 litres which expands to 1300 litres when the rear seat backrest is folded forward.

The car will tow 1725kg on a braked trailer and 700kg on an unbraked one.

Wheels are nine-spoke 16-inch diameter alloys.

Standard equipment includes heated, electrically-adjustable exterior mirrors; rear centre armrest; three rear seat head restraints; CFC-free air-conditioning with climate control; electrically-wound front and rear windows with bounce-back sensors; leather wrapped steering wheel; cruise control, and remote central door-locking.

We particularly liked the auto up and down switch on the front windows.
We know people who drive old model Mondeos and don't particularly like them (we, in fact, thought them not too bad).

It's been too long since we drove an old Mondeo to draw comparisons with the new model, but on its merits alone the Zetec is an impressive entry in the 2.0-litre hatchback sector.

The styling is distinctive and athletic-looking and follows traditional sedan lines - thankfully there's no question of monobox here.

The Mondeo Zetec costs $39,600, goes well, is comfortable, handles superbly and is quite refined - a good all-round package.

source: http://www.autotrader.co.nz/c/reviews/ford+mondeo+zetec/1377

Ford Mondeo

Ford Mondeo, New Shape Ford Mondeo is proving very popular.The Ford Mondeo, which hit UKshowrooms in October 2010. Among the changes are styling tweaks, an upgraded interior and more efficient petrol EcoBoost and TDCi dieselengines. Following similar updates to the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy earlier in 2010, the Mondeo is the latest model to benefit from the evolution of theFord trademark 'kinetic' design.

The most notable changes on the outside include distinctive new grilles,changes to the bonnet and new front bumpers which incorporate LED daytime running lights. At the back the new ford Mondeo gets refreshed rear lights which also use LEDs for a modern appearance.

Inside there is a redesigned centre console design, flush and integrated door handles, plus a new central overhead console with ambient lighting. Ford has also upgraded the trim materials to enhance the feel of the cabin.Optional extras now include a new satellite navigation system and a premium sound system which incorporates a subwoofer.

Ford describes this New Car , the New Mondeo as the smartest, safest, most environmentally friendly and best quality model ever, so it's no surprise there are big changes under the bonnet too. There's a new high performance 240bhp version of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine alongside the existing 203bhp version, but despite the increase in power, CO2 emissons remain at 179g/km.

The revised 2.2-litre TDCi engine also makes its debut in the New Ford Mondeo. This has power increased to 200bhp making it the most powerful Duratorq TDCi engine yet. The 2.0 TDCi with 115bhp, 140bhp or 163bhp continues as before.

To improve efficiency there are several new Ford ECOnetic Technologies, including Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford Eco Mode and - a Ford first - an Active Grille Shutter system. This regulates the airflow through the radiator and engine bay to reduce drag, but also helps engine heating to improve fuel economy and warm-up performance in cold weather.

The new ford Mondeo will include a range of 'driver assistance' features, many of which are appearing for the first time in a Ford, including Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert and Auto High Beam. Contacthttp://www.ukcarbroker.co.uk for more details and see the savings you are making.

Anie Bates writes articles for Automative. He has vast exposure in writing for automotive products like New Ford Mondeo, New Cars, New Car Deals and many more. Visit ukcarbroker.co.uk for more details.

source: www.articlenext.com/Article/138742.html