Quite recently, Ford dealerships began offering an updated version of the Mondeo. Let's figure out what changes the model has undergone compared to its predecessor.
Of course, it would be premature to call the previous version outdated — it's only three years old. Nevertheless, the specialists managed to refine the car that in 2000 became an important milestone in the brand's history, taking it to a new level.
Let me remind you that the Mondeo was originally developed from scratch over two years. The engineers faced challenging tasks: to place the technical content in a limited space while simultaneously maximizing the area for the driver, passengers, and cargo. They also had to think about a wide range of customer categories, including older people and those with disabilities. Ford handled this brilliantly; otherwise, the model's success both in Europe and in our country would be inexplicable.
Externally, without comparing to the pre-restyling version, the differences of the new model are not immediately noticeable. Let's start with the headlights. They have become different: the low-beam lens has changed, and the round fog lights have given way to larger trapezoidal elements integrated into the bumper. How practical this is will be shown by time (there is a risk that owners will lose such lights in the first deep puddle), but the fact that the optics look significantly more attractive is already obvious. The front bumper has also been redesigned, and a chrome trim has appeared in its lower part (available, however, only in top trim levels).
The shape of the exterior mirrors has also changed, whose inconvenience once became almost a hallmark of the car. Now they have more familiar contours and a noticeably increased area, and lamps illuminating the area near the doors are built into the bottom.
The door handles have been slightly modified and now, like the trunk handle, have a chrome finish. But the button for the electric drive of the trunk lid, as before, is not immediately noticeable — it is very small. The exterior updates are completed by the rear lights: light sections have appeared in their upper part, and the reflectors have become silvered, which noticeably improved light output.
2004 Ford Mondeo 2.5 Ghia
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso
Inside, the completely redesigned center console immediately catches the eye, with the Sony audio system taking center stage. However, it is installed only as an option. In its place, there may also be a navigation system screen, which is also part of the additional equipment. The "climate" seats with several heating and ventilation modes are also options. But the air conditioner is now standard on any Mondeo.
2004 Ford Mondeo 2.5 Ghia
© Photo: Igor Kuznetsov, 5 Koleso
The steering wheel has become even more saturated with buttons — controls for the 5-speed adaptive automatic transmission Durashift have appeared on it. This transmission is also a new feature, and we did not miss the opportunity to test it in various modes. To be fair, I note: the operation of the automatic transmission satisfied us almost completely — 99%. It seems that the shifting process is controlled not by the driver, but by the automatic itself, although it has become more advanced than in its predecessors.
Under the hood of our car was the engine already familiar from the previous Mondeo — a 2.5-liter V6 with 170 horsepower. It, as before, provides the car with decent dynamics and quite reasonable fuel consumption. Overall, nine power units are planned for the new model: six gasoline (including the new Duratec Sci with direct injection) and three diesel. The choice will be wide. Not surprisingly, because Ford engineers introduced 1500 new components into their creation, which ultimately formed the current Mondeo.
Technical characteristics of Ford Mondeo 2.5 Ghia
- Body – load-bearing, all-metal
- Curb weight, kg – 1435
- Gross weight, kg – 1940
- Dimensions (length/width/height), mm – 4731/1812/1429
- Wheelbase, mm – 2754
- Maximum speed, km/h – 225
- Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s – 9.7
- Control fuel consumption (combined cycle), l/100 km – 7.2
- Engine – V6; displacement, cm3 – 2495; power, hp at rpm – 170/6000; torque, N·m at rpm – 220/4250; fuel system – injection
- Transmission – automatic, 5-speed
- Tire size – 205/50R17
- Wheel suspension – independent
- Brakes: front – disc, ventilated; rear – disc
- Steering – rack and pinion, with power steering
- Price, $ – 27000
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