Photo: original photo by autoevolution
The US-spec Ford Fusion's European counterpart has just received an all-new generation. The new Ford Mondeo was recently unveiled at the posh Paris Motor Show and it's such an improvement over the outgoing generation, it might pose a serious threat in Europe to the all-new Volkswagen Passat B8.
While European drivers may be mad about supermini and C-segment hatchbacks, the D-segment four-door sedan is still a hot buy around there. With the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, VW Passat, Audi A4 and now the all-new Ford Mondeo around, this is one very competitive market for everyone.
The 2015 Ford Mondeo then. Slated to hit European showrooms in the first quarter of next year, the new Mondeo was first previewed nearly three years ago by a design study. With prices starting from £20,795 in the United Kingdom, this generation comes with everything from a 1-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder (125 horsepower) to a newly-developed twin-turbo 2-liter TDCi diesel that churns out 210 ponies and 450 Nm.
This range-topping mill uses a small low-intertia turbo for aiding with power delivery low in the rev range, as well as a bigger high-intertia charger that sustains the boost pressure higher in the rev range. A 1.5L four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine is also available with 160 ponies, as well as a 2-liter EcoBoost that churns out either 203 or 240 horsepower. However, most customers will opt for diesel power.
Assembled in Spain, the 2015 Ford Mondeo Hybrid is employing a 2-liter petrol and two electric motors (one driving the wheels and the other for regenerative charging), as well as a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Thanks to auto start&stop, Active Grille Shutters and other eco-friendly features, the hybrid emits just 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which is 5 grams more than the Ford Mondeo 1.6-liter ECOnetic Technology. Too bad efficiency figures are yet to be confirmed.
For added traction and road-holding, Ford offers the lower powered oil burners with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. This system normally works in FWD mode. When the situation calls for it, powers is sent to the rear axle as well for better gripping. To boot, chassis technologies also include including torque vectoring control, controlled damping and the curiously named Active Nibble Compensation system, whatever that is.
Furthermore, a new active safety system can detect pedestrians, animals, anything crossing the road in front of the 2015 Ford Mondeo when the vehicle is traveling at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h). The so-called Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond to the system's warnings on time.
Last but not least, the de-cluttered dashboard. All the buttons that ladened the dash of the outgoing model are out an in came an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. Sync2, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, sat nav and what you can expect on more upmarket cars are in there. Also available as an estate version for parents that need room for the kids and family dog as well, the 2015 Ford Mondeo in entry-level guise comes as standard with dual-zone air con, alloy wheels and the 8-inch infotainment system.
The 2015 Ford Mondeo then. Slated to hit European showrooms in the first quarter of next year, the new Mondeo was first previewed nearly three years ago by a design study. With prices starting from £20,795 in the United Kingdom, this generation comes with everything from a 1-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder (125 horsepower) to a newly-developed twin-turbo 2-liter TDCi diesel that churns out 210 ponies and 450 Nm.
This range-topping mill uses a small low-intertia turbo for aiding with power delivery low in the rev range, as well as a bigger high-intertia charger that sustains the boost pressure higher in the rev range. A 1.5L four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine is also available with 160 ponies, as well as a 2-liter EcoBoost that churns out either 203 or 240 horsepower. However, most customers will opt for diesel power.
Nice, but what about more frugal powertrains?
Aside from the twin-turbo 2.0 TDCi, there's a 2-liter turbo diesel with a single variable geometry turbo coming with outputs of 150 or 180 horsepower, as well as a highly efficient model dubbed Mondeo ECOnetic Technology, boasting with a very frugal 1.6-liter turbo diesel that emits 94 grams of CO2 per km. But wait, there's more! For the first time ever, Ford of Europe will offer the Mondeo as a hybrid.Assembled in Spain, the 2015 Ford Mondeo Hybrid is employing a 2-liter petrol and two electric motors (one driving the wheels and the other for regenerative charging), as well as a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Thanks to auto start&stop, Active Grille Shutters and other eco-friendly features, the hybrid emits just 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which is 5 grams more than the Ford Mondeo 1.6-liter ECOnetic Technology. Too bad efficiency figures are yet to be confirmed.
For added traction and road-holding, Ford offers the lower powered oil burners with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. This system normally works in FWD mode. When the situation calls for it, powers is sent to the rear axle as well for better gripping. To boot, chassis technologies also include including torque vectoring control, controlled damping and the curiously named Active Nibble Compensation system, whatever that is.
A lot of new toys are offered with this Mondeo
The super sharp and contemporary exterior design and the added practicality both pale in comparison to how much the cabin has changed. Aesthetically, it's a far cry from yesteryear's Ford Mondeo, but the visual sauce of the interior is further enhanced by the tech onboard. First of all, there's a segment-first safety feature: inflatable rear safety belts. This design will reportedly disperse crash forces across a passenger body area five times greater than conventional units, for much improved protection.Furthermore, a new active safety system can detect pedestrians, animals, anything crossing the road in front of the 2015 Ford Mondeo when the vehicle is traveling at speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h). The so-called Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond to the system's warnings on time.
Last but not least, the de-cluttered dashboard. All the buttons that ladened the dash of the outgoing model are out an in came an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. Sync2, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, sat nav and what you can expect on more upmarket cars are in there. Also available as an estate version for parents that need room for the kids and family dog as well, the 2015 Ford Mondeo in entry-level guise comes as standard with dual-zone air con, alloy wheels and the 8-inch infotainment system.
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