Drove: Ford Mondeo
Mondeo is more than important to Ford. In its 21 years of existence, it has already satisfied many drivers around the world, and now we have its fifth generation in a completely new image. However, the Mondeo is not only a sleek new design that was borrowed from the American version almost three years ago, but Ford is also mainly betting on its advanced technologies, both safety and multimedia, as well as a well-known good position On the market. road and of course a great driving experience.
The design of the new Mondeo in Europe will be as diverse as its predecessor. This means that it will be available in four- and five-door versions and, of course, in station wagon form. Anyone who hasn't seen the American version will likely be impressed by the design. The front end is in the style of other house models, with a large recognizable trapezoidal mask, but next to it are quite thin and pleasant headlights, which are covered by a split hood, giving a sense of movement even when the car is moving. standing. Of course, this has always been a hallmark of Ford's kinetic design, and the Mondeo is no exception. Unlike most cars in its class, the Mondeo is quite dynamic even when viewed from the side - this is again the merit of visible and prominent lines. The clean bottom continues from the front bumper along the car sill to the rear bumper and back on the other side. The most dynamic seems to be the center line, which rises from the lower edge of the front bumper above the side door above the rear bumper. Quite elegantly, perhaps following the example of Audi, the top line also works, wrapping around the headlights from the side (at the height of the door handles) and ending at the height of the taillights. Even less exciting is the rear, which is perhaps the most reminiscent of its predecessor. Introducing the look, apart from the new aluminum rims, we must not ignore the light. Of course, the rear ones are also new, slightly modified, mostly narrower, but the headlights are completely different. In terms of both design and construction, Ford is also offering fully customizable LED headlights for the first time on the Mondeo. Ford's adaptive front lighting system can adjust both lighting and light intensity. The system selects one of seven programs depending on vehicle speed, ambient light intensity, steering angle and distance from the vehicle in front, and also takes into account any precipitation and the presence of the wipers on. .
From the outside, one could say that the similarity with the previous generation is palpable, but in the interior this cannot be argued. This one is brand new and very different from the previous one. As it is now fashionable, the sensors are digital-analog, and unnecessary buttons have been removed from the center console. It is commendable that not all of them, as some other brands did, immediately jumped from one extreme to another and installed only a touch screen. Cooperation with Sony continues. The Japanese claim that the radio is even better, as are the sound systems - the customer can afford up to 12 speakers. The center console is beautifully designed, the central screen stands out, under which the most important buttons are located, including those for controlling the air conditioning. The advanced Ford SYNC 2 voice control system has also been updated, allowing the driver to control the phone, multimedia system, air conditioning and navigation with simple commands. So, for example, to display a list of local restaurants, simply call the "I'm hungry" system.
In the interior, Ford has not only taken care of the multimedia experience, but has also done a lot to improve the well-being. They ensure that the new Mondeo impresses with its best quality. The dashboard is padded, other storage areas have been meticulously crafted, and the front passenger compartment is split in two by a shelf. The front seats have also been redesigned with thinner backrests, which is especially beneficial for passengers in the rear as there is more room. Unfortunately, during the first test drives, the seat parts also seemed to be shorter, which we will see when we test the car and measure all internal dimensions with our meter. However, the rear outboard seats are now equipped with special seat belts that inflate in the event of a collision in the area passing through the body, further reducing the impact of the accident.
However, in the new Mondeo, not only are the seats smaller or thinner, but the entire building is subject to less mass. Many parts of the new Mondeo are made of lightweight materials, which, of course, can be seen from its weight - compared to its predecessor, it is less than about 100 kilograms. But the network means the absence of auxiliary systems, of which there are indeed many in the new Mondeo. Proximity key, radar cruise control, automatic wipers, dual air conditioning and many other already known systems have added an advanced automatic parking system. Mondeo will warn you of an uncontrolled lane departure (by shaking the steering wheel rather than an annoying horn) as well as an obstacle in front of you. The Ford Collision Assist System will not only detect large obstacles or vehicles, but it will also detect pedestrians using a dedicated camera. If the driver does not respond while in front of the vehicle, the system will also automatically brake.
The new Mondeo will be available with a fully ventilated engine. At launch, it will be possible to choose a 1,6-liter EcoBoost with 160 horsepower or a two-liter EcoBoost with 203 or 240 horsepower, and for diesels - a 1,6-liter TDCi with 115 horsepower or a two-liter TDCi with a capacity of 150 or 180 "horsepower". Engines will come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard (only the more powerful petrol with standard automatic), with petrol engines one can pay extra for an automatic, and with a two-litre diesel for a dual-clutch automatic.
Later, Ford will also unveil the award-winning liter EcoBoost on the Mondeo. It may seem strange to some, saying that the car is too big and too heavy, but keep in mind that the Mondeo is very popular as a company car for which employees (users) have to pay a premium. With the entire liter engine, this will be much less, and the driver will not have to give up the space and comfort of the car.
On test drives, we tested the two-liter TDCi with 180 horsepower and the gasoline 1,5-liter EcoBoost with 160 horsepower. The diesel engine impresses more with its flexibility and quiet operation than with its power, while the petrol engine has no problem accelerating to higher revs. The new Mondeo continues the tradition of Ford cars - the road position is good. While it's not the lightest car, the faster twisty road doesn't bother the Mondeo. Also because the Mondeo is the first Ford car to feature a redesigned multi-link rear axle, in which the steering wheel is no longer hydraulic, but rather electrical. This is one of the reasons why three driving modes (Sport, Normal and Comfort) are now available in Mode - depending on the choice, the stiffness of the steering wheel and suspension become stiffer or softer.
Quite different, of course, happens behind the wheel of a hybrid Mondeo. With it, other requirements come to the fore - there is little sportiness, efficiency is important. This is expected to be provided by a two-litre petrol and electric motor that together offer a 187 horsepower system.” The test drive was short, but long enough to convince us that the hybrid Mondeo is primarily a powerful car and a little less economical (also due to difficult roads). The lithium-ion batteries installed behind the rear seats drain quickly (1,4 kWh), but it's true that the batteries also charge quickly. Full technical data will be available later or at the start of sales of the hybrid version.
The long-awaited Ford Mondeo has finally arrived on European soil. You will have to wait a bit before buying, but since it seems more than great after first impressions, this shouldn't be a big problem.
Text: Sebastian Plevnyak, photo: factory
