Ford Mondeo Karavan 1.8 16V Trend
It was almost unimaginable for Ford to bring a useless van or station wagon version as they call it after the successful Mondeo limousine version. The good news for large families (and others interested in such a machine) is no.
The Mondeo station wagon already has plenty of luggage space, as the base boot has a whopping 540 liters of space, while you can further expand it by switching a third of the divisible rear seat backrest to a really large 1700 liters. ...
When lowering the backrest, it is impossible to fold the seat, but the bottom of the entire trunk is even, without steps and other interfering breakdowns. An additional good feature of the boot is the noticeably reduced loading edge (the boot lid sticks a lot in the rear bumper), which makes loading heavier items much easier than in the sedan and station wagon.
Another notable difference at the rear are the taillights, which are vertically positioned in the trailer and stretched along the C-pillars. The latter form of light works more mature than the 4- and 5-door versions and at the same time is more pleasing to many observers (the undersigned is also considered among the latter).
When we walk from back to front, observing the car, there is the passenger compartment or rear seats inside the trunk. There, passengers, even tall ones, will always find room for both the head and the knees.
As for the rear bench, we only have to mention that it is slightly stiffer upholstered and the backrest is (perhaps) too flat, which may require a little more attention from the passengers. The front passengers will also enjoy a similarly welcoming ambience. So: there is sufficient headroom and longitudinal space, the seats are densely padded, which, however, do not provide enough lateral grip to the body.
In the salon, we also find quality materials that are also qualitatively combined or assembled into a single working unit. Ford's monotony was successfully broken by aluminum inserts. The result of all of the above is a feeling of well-being behind the wheel, which is not spoiled by various crickets or cheap hard plastic.
The good feeling is further enhanced by the good ergonomics, the height-adjustable seat (electrically!?), The adjustable driver's seat lumbar zone and the height and depth adjustable steering wheel. Moving further along the car forward, we find the engine under the hood. With the help of two compensating shafts, it runs smoothly over the entire speed range.
The same goes for agility, as the engine pulls well at low revs, but most of the fun ends at 6000 rpm when the engine also reaches maximum power. Due to the reduced excitation at over 6000 rpm, we do not recommend driving the engine to the maximum of 6900 rpm (this is not the softest speed limiter), as in this area the end effect is too weak to justify the result. torturing the engine.
Further positive features of the engine are also good reaction to commands from under the right foot and in terms of performance, despite the considerable weight of the car (1435 kg), rather moderate traction. Consumption in tests was on average below ten liters per 100 kilometers, and at best even dropped to 8 l / 8 km.
While driving, the transmission is also very important for the driver and his well-being. The latter's shift lever is Ford's, and even with more active desires, it doesn't offer undue resistance after a quicker shift. The entire structure of the car is, of course, attached to the chassis, which impresses both driver and passengers.
The suspension is slightly stiffer, but the ability to swallow bumps is still high enough to not compromise passenger comfort. On the other hand, the driver can rely entirely on good steering response and therefore very good handling. The already mentioned solid suspension is reflected in the position as well.
The latter is good and at the same time a little unusual for a front-wheel drive car. When the upper limit of the load capacity of the chassis is exceeded, the entire car begins to slip in a corner, and not just the front end, as is usually the case with the vast majority of front-wheel drive vehicles. The tendency to slip of the inner drive wheel in corners or intersections is also very noticeable in the design of the chassis and transmission.
Effective braking is provided by four-disc brakes, which are better cooled at the front, and in critical situations they are assisted by electronic brake power distribution (EBD) and ABS. The overall feeling of reliability is further enhanced by the precise dosage of the braking force on the pedal and the information on the short stopping distance, which was only 100 meters when measured at 37 km / h when braking to a standstill.
All of these features place the Mondeo station wagon among vehicles that are primarily intended for family use, but are also capable of satisfying the father's (or perhaps mother's) more lively desires for faster cornering sequences on a rural road that abounds. Slovenia. For a Ford Mondeo station wagon with Trend equipment, they will be authorized.
Ford dealers were supposed to pay exactly 4.385.706 Slovenian tolar from a family of five who wanted to "adopt" a sixth member. Is it a little or a lot of money? For some, this is definitely a large amount, while for others it may not be. But given the fact that the level of the basic configuration and the sum of other characteristics of the "fashionable" Mondeo is quite high, the purchase becomes justified and worth the money.
Peter Humar
Photo: Urosh Potocnik.
Ford Mondeo Karavan 1.8 16V Trend
Basic data
| Sales: | Summit motors ljubljana |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 20.477,76 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 92kW (125 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 11,2 with |
| Maximum speed: | 200 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,9l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transverse front mounted - bore and stroke 83,0 × 83,1 mm - displacement 1798 cm3 - compression 10,8:1 - maximum power 92 kW (125 hp .) at 6000 rpm - maximum torque 170 Nm at 4500 rpm - crankshaft in 5 bearings - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 4 valves per cylinder - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 8,3, 4,3 l - engine oil XNUMX l - variable catalyst |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed synchronized transmission - gear ratio I. 3,420; II. 2,140 hours; III. 1,450 hours; IV. 1,030 hours; V. 0,810; Reverse 3,460 - Differential 4,060 - Tires 205/55 R 16 V (Michelin Pilot Primacy) |
| Capacity: | top speed 200 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 11,2 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 11,3 / 5,9 / 7,9 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95) |
| Transportation and suspension: | 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, double longitudinal rails, cross rails, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - dual circuit brakes, front disc (forced cooling) , rear wheels, power steering, ABS, EBD - power steering, power steering |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1435 kg - permissible total weight 2030 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1500 kg, without brake 700 kg - permissible roof load 100 kg |
| External dimensions: | length 4804 mm - width 1812 mm - height 1441 mm - wheelbase 2754 mm - track front 1522 mm - rear 1537 mm - driving radius 11,6 m |
| Inner dimensions: | length 1700 mm - width 1470/1465 mm - height 890-950 / 940 mm - longitudinal 920-1120 / 900-690 mm - fuel tank 58,5 l |
| Box: | (normal) 540-1700 l |
Our measurements
| T = 18 ° C, p = 1002 mbar, rel. vl. = 52% | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 11,3s |
|---|---|
| 1000m from the city: | 32,8 years ( 156 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 200km / h (V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 8,8l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 9,6 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 37,7m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear | 56dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
evaluation
The generous space of the already basic boot makes the Mondeo a very good sixth member of a family of five. In addition, the powerful enough engine, good chassis and workmanship will also impress potentially more demanding or energetic fathers or mothers.
We praise and reproach
engine
chassis
trunk
ergonomics
processing and position
brakes
Steering wheel wiper lever “Ford”
side grip front seats
tendency to slip the inner drive wheel
