Photo: Ford
A recent report reveals that the next-generation Ford Mondeo will be underpinned by a reworked version of the CD4 platform, which is 10 percent stronger than the outgoing model's EUCD platform and the Fusion's CD3 platform. But the big news here is that a heavily anticipated Lincoln crossover model will get the same chassis technology by the end of 2015.
Back in April, the Lincoln brand officially unveiled the MKX Concept in China at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. It's a very pretty beast with premium touches here and there and we know that the CD4 underside from the Ford Edge crossover will be carried over by the MKX as well.
Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Ford's assistant global line director for CD platform cars, Darren Palmer, declared that "the suspension and platform were developed to be capable for Lincoln as well, so it needs to be state of the art." The CD4 platform will also be used for the upcoming S-Max and Galaxy family haulers.
As for the all-new Ford Mondeo sedan, Europeans will be able to buy it before the end of the year, while U.S. sales of the Lincoln MKX premium crossover will kickstart sometime in early 2015. A luxurious Vignale trim level will also be offered for the Mondeo as soon as Summer 2015. Ford intends to steal BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 customers thanks to this more upmarket offering, even though sales of mid-sized cars are decreasing in Europe.
Some 800,000 mid-sized vehicles have been sold in western Europe throughout 2011, and that figure is expected to drop dramatically this year, to below 500,000 units. JATO Dynamics data informs that 22,028 Ford Mondeos have been bought in Europe in the first five months of 2014. As it happens, sedan customers of yesteryear are now in the market for crossovers and premium offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
If Ford will be able to convince customers that the Mondeo Vignale is a better proposition than the Lexus NX200t or the BMW X4, only time will tell. But one thing's certain: the Blue Oval intends to cut the number of global platforms from 15 to only 9, and the CD4 platform will play an important role in this matter.
Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Ford's assistant global line director for CD platform cars, Darren Palmer, declared that "the suspension and platform were developed to be capable for Lincoln as well, so it needs to be state of the art." The CD4 platform will also be used for the upcoming S-Max and Galaxy family haulers.
As for the all-new Ford Mondeo sedan, Europeans will be able to buy it before the end of the year, while U.S. sales of the Lincoln MKX premium crossover will kickstart sometime in early 2015. A luxurious Vignale trim level will also be offered for the Mondeo as soon as Summer 2015. Ford intends to steal BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 customers thanks to this more upmarket offering, even though sales of mid-sized cars are decreasing in Europe.
Some 800,000 mid-sized vehicles have been sold in western Europe throughout 2011, and that figure is expected to drop dramatically this year, to below 500,000 units. JATO Dynamics data informs that 22,028 Ford Mondeos have been bought in Europe in the first five months of 2014. As it happens, sedan customers of yesteryear are now in the market for crossovers and premium offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
If Ford will be able to convince customers that the Mondeo Vignale is a better proposition than the Lexus NX200t or the BMW X4, only time will tell. But one thing's certain: the Blue Oval intends to cut the number of global platforms from 15 to only 9, and the CD4 platform will play an important role in this matter.
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