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Showing posts with label Ford Mondeo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ford Mondeo. Show all posts

Fifth Gear Test The 2008 Ford Mondeo

The folks over at Fifth Gear took the all-new Ford Mondeo for a spin and they absolutely loved it. Having driven the 2008 Mondeo ourselves, can’t say that we blame them. Ford managed to create a mid-size sedan with a premium feel and a sub-premium price tag. However, we would like to state that, we aren’t so enthusiastic with the third-generation Mondeo’s exterior looks. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a billion times better looking than its predecessor, but having seen the stunning IOSIS concept, we were expecting something with a bit more character. But as an associate of mine says, when it comes to design, opinions are like aooooles; everybody has one…

2008 Ford Mondeo TV Spot Takes On Prestige Marks

Yes, you’re not mistaken; the car featured in the above screen-shot is a 2008 Audi A6. Wondering what the hell it’s doing in a Mondeo ad? Well, Ford wants to place the new 2008 Mondeo that just went on sale in Europe as an upscale model in the mid-size sedan market. So, what better way to do it than to include premium cars in your ad? -Continued below

The TV spot, that was filmed in 30 locations in and around London, shows a series of cars with balloons attached, floating skyward suggesting that the vehicles have been dispensed with by their owners once they have spotted the new Mondeo. The commercial will premiere on Sky Sports HD channel at half time in the UEFA Champions League Final between Milan and Liverpool in Athens, Greece on Wednesday 23rd May.

Technorati: Ford+Mondeo, Commercial, cars, Carscoop,

Geneva Breach: 2008 Ford Mondeo Images and Press Release leak on the web

One of this year's main attractions at the Geneva Show, the 2008 Ford Mondeo has broken cover about a week before the embargo ended thanks to a leak on the web. Although we actually have access to the full press pack we’ll play fair and stick to the short-press release and the 5 pics we found on several web-sites and forums like automotoportal, thecarlounge etc.

Now a few things about the all-new Mondeo that could go global finding its way even into the US market as several Ford execs recently admitted. According to several Ford people we spoke to, the 2008 Mondeo will hold all the key-elements of the current model (excellent chassis with sporty road manners, spacious cabin & competitive prices) ditching away two of its most serious cons: dull interior and exterior design and the mediocre plastics of the cabin. For the moment, we can only comment about its design which has as much to do with its predecessor as the Escort did with the first gen Focus. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the rest of the article and the image gallery

Practically, the new Mondeo is the sedan version of the COTY 2007 winner, the S-MAX with whom it shares the platform, engine range, most of the interior and of course the “Kinetic” design language. Apart from the 145Hp 2.0, 220Hp 2.5T petrol and 110 / 125Hp 1.8 TDCi, 130 / 140Hp 2.0 TDCi diesel engines from the S-MAX, the 2008 Mondeo will also be available with two new petrol engines, a 110 /125Hp 1.6 Ti-VCT and a 161Hp 2.3-litre. Sales of the new Mondeo (4d, 5d and SW) are expected to start Euro-wide in April. Via: Automotoportal , thecarlounge

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PRESS RELEASE: Ford has released the first images of the all-new Mondeo ahead of its world debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The dramatic all-new Mondeo is designed to raise customers' expectations for a car in this class through a combination of style, dynamics and technology.

During its life, the Mondeo has appeared every year in the nation's top 10 favourite cars. A total of over four million Mondeo models have been built at the Genk plant since launch in 1993 with more than 1.5 million of those being sold in the UK.

"The exciting new Mondeo is very important to us", said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain's Chairman and Managing Director. "It's probably the most elegant car we've ever launched, and it's certainly the most technologically-advanced. Like the S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, the new Mondeo will attract many new customers to our showrooms as well as delighting our loyal UK customer base," he said.

New Mondeo Design

The new Mondeo is striking and unmistakably a member of the Ford family. It is the latest and most advanced expression of Ford's 'kinetic design'.

The distinctive front end has chamfered corners and a deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. A muscular shoulder line runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear.

Distinctive rear lamps also feature carefully designed graphics that enhance the overall feeling of premium quality. A strong undercut line runs from the bold front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Under this, full surfacing extends down to strong rocker panels to ensure the vehicle maintains a dynamic road presence.

The spacious interior shares the same 'kinetic design' exterior language as the exterior. The driver will enjoy the 'cockpit' driving position as the higher beltline and flow-through centre console combine to enhance the cosseted feeling for front seat occupants.

New levels of craftsmanship are evident throughout. For example, careful use of 'piano black' interior styling accents creates interest and a pleasing feel to key touch areas. Soft-touch material and ambient lighting is used extensively throughout the cabin to emphasise its quality and refinement.

New Mondeo Choice

The Ford Mondeo range has always offered a wide choice for customers, and the new Mondeo is no exception. Standard equipment across the range includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling with fuel inhibitor to prevent misfuelling, Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm, air conditioning, 'follow-me-home' lights, trip computer and an MP3 connector socket.

Three distinct bodystyles – a classic four-door, a stylish and flexible five-door and the capacious Estate – will all be available from launch. For each body style, four distinct series are available: the Edge, which provides a high level of standard equipment essential for business and family needs; the contemporary Zetec series, and, at the top of the range, the Ghia and Titanium X models.

These flagship models offer a choice of premium quality details. While the Ghia represents classic luxury, with extensive use of chrome and wood ornamentation inside, the Titanium model will appeal to those customers favouring a more contemporary, technology flavour.

New Technologies for Driver Assistance

Advanced new driver-focused technologies are available, and include keyless entry and keyless start with "Ford Power" start button, new Ford "Convers+" Human Machine Interface (HMI) instrument display, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control with Hill Launch Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Furthermore, this new Mondeo is the first production Ford to feature the company's award-winning Easyfuel system. This guards against either petrol or diesel misfuelling at the filling pump as the fuel filler neck aperture has been specifically designed around the different sizes of fuel nozzles. Ford has engineered its system only to allow the nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to enter the filler neck.

Ford Precision Drive: New Mondeo Driving Quality

The Ford Mondeo has been acclaimed for its driving quality since its original introduction in 1993. The new Mondeo aims to extend this reputation even further, and from the outset was developed with superior driving dynamics as a core attribute, combining a refined ride with minimal noise, vibration and harshness.

The major modifications include:

  1. · Wider track
  2. · Optimised front suspension design
  3. · New rear suspension design
  4. · Isolated rear subframe
  5. · Optimised steering system

Refined Suspension System
Ford has specified the trusted MacPherson front suspension system for the new Mondeo incorporating features to enhance the Mondeo driving experience such as isolated subframes, control arm hydro bushings, S-shaped springs and dual path strut mounts.

At the rear a new version of the proven multi-link rear suspension design also benefits from an isolated subframe mounting system. This concept is already familiar in the Ford S-MAX "Control Blade" design and uses four links to control each wheel precisely.

Reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness and Improved Sound Quality
New Mondeo promotes stress-free, relaxed driving through low noise levels which enables easy communication inside the vehicle and optimum use of the internal audio equipment even at high speeds.

The combined effect of all the engineering actions, in terms of noise, is a reduction of 3dB across the whole frequency range, compared with the current model. Wind noise, measured in Ford's state-of-the-art aero-acoustic wind tunnel is the lowest in its class, and reinforces the quality ambience of the interior.

Powertrains
The new Mondeo is available with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, including:

  • · 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 100PS or 125PS diesel with 5-speed manual transmission. The 125PS version can also be specified with a 6-speed manual transmission.
  • · 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 140PS diesel with 6-speed manual transmission.
  • · 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 130ps diesel with a new Durashift 6-speed automatic transmission
  • · 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT 110PS or 125PS petrol engines with 5-speed manual transmission.
  • · 2.0-litre Duratec HE 145PS petrol engine with Durashift 5-speed manual transmission.
  • · A new 2.3-litre Duratec HE 161PS 4-cylinder petrol engine with Durashift
    6-speed automatic transmission.
  • · Range topping, performance-orientated 2.5 litre Duratec 5-cylinder 220PS petrol engine with Durashift 6-speed manual transmission

SCOOP: 2007 Ford Mondeo factory pics

We've already seen how the 2007 Ford Mondeo will look like -hey we've even seen the car in live action through the James Bond - Casino Royal movie trailer, but I'm sure this is something that white collar Ford workers wouldn't want us to see: the production version of the 2007 Mondeo Ford's factory in Genk Belgium. For obvious reasons, we put a black patch on the Ford worker that's giving us a thumb up...


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2007 Ford Mondeo revealed in new James Bond Casino Royal trailer



About time wasn't it, meaning that we've already seen a bunch of pictures from the 2007 Ford Mondeo that will appear in the upcoming Casino Royal movie. Actually, this teaser trailer is part of a Ford TV promo add for the Focus in the UK, but who cares anyway !

Click here to see large pictures and the press release : 2007 Ford Mondeo

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2007 Ford Mondeo Update : To be revealed in the UEFA Champions League final, plus new info on engines


During the Paris Show I talked to a few Ford PR's who informed
me among other things, that the product version of the Mondeo concept will be officially revealed to the public during the 2007 UEFA Champions League soccer final match in Athens, Greece on the 23rd of May 2007.

Of course we've already seen how the production vehicle will look like through a dozen or so pics from the "fake" model that will play in the James Bond movie -click here to see a large-sized gallery: Carscoop.

Another interesting thing I learnt was that, besides its new, Kinetic themed design, the Mondeo will be the first model in Ford's future Euro line-up that will feature a new generation of engines, starting up with a brand new 1,6 litre 4cylinder petrol motor that will produce about 125 to 130 Hp. According to Ford personnel, the company has just started pumping money into the engineering department as it doesn't want to be left behind in this area.

Don't forget, Ford is probably one of the few remaining companies in Europe that hasn't announced (yet) any future plans for Turbo engines.

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2007 Ford Mondeo - New set of pictures

Just got my hands on a bunch of new 2007 Ford Mondeo pictures including some straight from the James Bond Casino Royal movie set that will open in cinemas worldwide on November 17.

According to Ford, although 007 (played by Daniel Craig) will use an Aston Martin as his personal vehicle, the new Mondeo will be the first car to appear in the film as Bond drive's to a hotel after arriving in the Bahamas on the trail of a terrorist cell.


The Mondeo featured in the movie is a specially-built 5-door example Ford's upcoming mid-size sedan, fitted with a sports bodykit. But despite its near to production looks, this is not a real car: it's a look-alike (drivable though), made from wood and fiberglass!

It was constructed by hand at Ford of Europe's Design Studio in Cologne, Germany, in January, 2006 and it was then shipped under great secrecy to the filming location in the Bahamas, where the short driving sequence was filmed.



"The new Mondeo was essentially still on the drawing board when we were asked to supply the vehicle for filming in February 2006," said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's Executive Director for Design. "As volume production for the car doesn't start until the second quarter of 2007, we had to create a one-off, driveable model based around a design studio property!"

"This team normally builds the clay and fiberglass models of all of our future products, so they are used to demanding timeframes and making full-scale models look like real vehicles," Smith added.

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Uncensored : 2007 Ford Mondeo Sedan Production Version Pictures !


O
k, last week we got our share of leaked pics from the Mondeo Wagon Concept before its official Paris unveiling. But that was only a few days before and anyway, it was a concept, so not much harm done. This time though, thanks to Fordeurope (unofficial site) we get to see a whole gallery of "uncensored" pictures from the 2007 Mondeo Sedan production version -6 months ahead of it's official debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show in March ! The reportage says that these pics where taken during the filming of 007's Casino Royal Film, where the 2007 Mondeo has a role in it.


But enough with that, lets go back to the car itself. Got to hand it to Ford's design team for managing to keep as close as possible to last year's wonderful Iosis concept. Finally we've got a Ford sedan that doesn't look like a french toast on four wheels. And that's not all cause by the looks of the new S-MAX MPV on which the 2007 Mondeo is based on, its seems that Ford's engineers got their way and maintained Mondeo's predecessor's excellent road handling. We'll have more on the 2007 Mondeo after the Paris Show. via: Autoblog.com & Fordeurope.net

Technorati: Ford+Mondeo, 2007, Ford+Mondeo+Wagon+Concept, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, Mondial+de+l'Automobile, 2006, cars, automotive, vehicles,Paris+International+Motor+Show

Paris Show : Ford Mondeo Wagon Concept official press release & pictures


Ok, no more scanned images and blurry pics as Ford officially released the press kit on its Mondeo concept that previews next years production version. According to the press release, f
ull series information, technical specifications and data for the new Mondeo range will be revealed early in 2007.

Press Release: New Mondeo Design - Energy in Motion : The new Mondeo is striking and unmistakably a member of the Ford family. It takes the company's 'kinetic design' form language to a new level.

A comprehensive range of core bodystyles will be launched concurrently in the new range, but the Ford of Europe design team has chosen the new wagon as its Paris hero.

"The wagon bodystyle is very important in the CD segment so it is appropriate that we show this derivative in Paris first," said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe's Design Director. "The new Mondeo's wagon bodystyle really emphasizes the sporty, dynamic and premium appearance of the new range," added Smith. "Above all, we've managed to achieve this kinetic look without compromising luggage capacity. I believe new Mondeo will challenge everyone's perceptions of a big Ford car, and prove that we can once again deliver style with substance in a desirable form."



The new Mondeo clearly demonstrates how Ford of Europe's 'kinetic design' language is shaping the company's new models. This form language will be progressively applied to future Ford vehicles in an appropriate way, depending on individual vehicle or market segment tastes.

"With the purest expression of 'kinetic design' revealed in the Ford iosis Concept at Frankfurt 2005, we then introduced the first elements into volume production on the new S-MAX and Galaxy," Smith added. "Now, the new Mondeo takes the next major step along our journey towards a more expressive and emotional Ford range."

Immediately evident in the new model's appearance is the distinctive front end, with its chamfered corners and the deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. Seen from above, the three-plane plan view of the frontal area is immediately obvious, and a key visual link between the new Mondeo and the 2005 iosis Concept vehicle, emphasizing their proportional relationship.

Key 'kinetic design' elements:
Dynamic lines
Three-plane plan front-end view
Full surfaces
Strong shoulders
Bold wheel lips
A rising belt line
Distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar

The new family face of Ford is further represented at the front end by a premium-feel, large upper grille opening, and an inverted trapezoidal lower grille. Large and distinctive headlamps and lower foglamps are a key design element, and draw the eye around the chamfered corners, neatly disguising the volume required to meet the latest pedestrian protection requirements.

A muscular shoulder line runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear. This produces a dynamic window graphic when the so-called "daylight opening" (DLO) is viewed in profile, and an upward kick at the rear of the DLO further emphasizes the feeling of motion. Distinctive rear lamps also feature carefully designed graphics that enhance the overall feeling of premium quality.

A strong undercut line runs from the bold front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Under this, full surfacing extends down to strong rocker panels to ensure the vehicle maintains a dynamic road presence.

The undercut and full surfaces are key graphic elements of 'kinetic design' and are already becoming familiar as new S-MAX and Galaxy become more visible on European roads.

'Kinetic design' themes are carried through to the all-new interior, which features high quality surfaces, materials and finishes.

Here, dynamic lines and full surfaces are again evident, and the low profile instrument panel provides very generous cabin space for front seat occupants. The flow-through centre console allows the gear shifter to be located high and within easy ergonomic reach of the driver.

The design team has also paid great attention to interior detailing, and examples of this include new generation infotainment systems, plus the next generation of Ford's Human Machine Interface (HMI). This easy to use system features the same steering-wheel toggle switches seen on new Galaxy and S-MAX, but introduces the availability of a large central LCD screen with full colour graphics situated between the main analogue instruments in front of the driver.

Rear seat headroom and legroom have also come in for scrutiny by the Mondeo development team, and these have been maximized for occupant comfort and safety.

"New Mondeo will deliver premium levels of comfort in a class-leading package," says Steve Adams, Ford's Vehicle Line Director for Large Cars. "You can also expect innovative and top-of-the-range new technology features, particularly those aimed at assisting and pampering the driver."



New Technology Combined with Driving Quality : The 2007 Mondeo range will feature many of the new technologies seen on Ford S-MAX and Galaxy, and also introduce some new features unique to the new model.

The Ford team is also determined to ensure that new Mondeo will maintain its position as the best CD car for driving quality, with superior driving dynamics, and targeting best-in-class steering, ride and handling.

Engines : A wide range of dependable Ford powertrains will be offered, from the powerful and well-proven Ford Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and a high-performance 2.5-litre turbocharged Duratec petrol engine derived from that fitted to the new S-MAX, to efficient 1.6-litre Duratec petrol and 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines with outstanding fuel economy. Full series information, technical specifications and data for the new Mondeo range will be revealed early in 2007.

"The new Mondeo Wagon we are previewing at Paris is aimed at preparing our customers for the most exciting and high quality Ford CD car we have ever delivered," concluded Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's Vice President of Product Development. "The finer technical details will be kept secret for a few more months, but we believe that the Paris showcar's dynamic and kinetic exterior design and stylish, spacious new interior will give a clear indication of how different the new Mondeo range will be. We can't wait to launch it!"

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Update : New Ford Mondeo Wagon Concept Pictures


A new set of pictures have surfaced on the net giving us an even more detailed look on
Ford's Mondeo Wagon Concept. The new pictures reveal an "S-MAX" interior with the main difference being the two centre air vents -instead of three, and of course the LCD display panel on the dashboard. Same goes for the rear lights that look like an exact copy. See the rest of the pictures and read more here: Ford Mondeo Wagon


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