FORD Mondeo Hatchback 1993-1996 Photos, engines & full specs

Ford invested one billion dollars in the Mondeo project, but the result was a global car available in three shapes: sedan, hatchback, and station wagon.

The mid-size vehicle segment was changing, and Ford understood that it had to develop new ideas. First of all, it developed a completely new platform and switched from the rear-wheel-drive Sierra to the front-wheel-drive Mondeo.

With its curved lines and slim headlights, the Mondeo was a revolutionary thinking vehicle for the blue-oval brand. That allowed them to minimize the grille, sharpen the front end of the car, and lower the aerodynamic drag coefficient. Unlike the Sierra, the new mid-size vehicle came with rounded body panels and smoother corners. For the hatchback version, a sloped tailgate with a wide rear window made the car looks like a fastback, and the corner-mounted taillights followed the body shape.

Inside, the designers continued the exterior's rounded shapes with smooth and curved lines on the dashboard. The driver-oriented center stack was built as a natural extension of the instrument cluster. Between the front seats, the designers installed an armrest with a storage compartment. For the hatchback, the rear bench featured a split-folding seatback to increase the luggage area. Ford offered the Mondeo with a cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim-level.

Under the hood, the car featured a wide choice of engine, both diesel, and gasoline. A 1.6-liter powered the entry-level while the top version was a 2.5-liter V6. The standard transmission for the entire range was a 5-speed manual, and a 4-speed automatic was available for selected engines.