Ford Mondeo. New friend.

Ford Mondeo. New friend

It has happened: the Americans at Ford have finally replaced their flagship Mondeo family. The previous generation was well received in its time and sold quite well, especially on the vast Russian roads. Years passed, rivals caught up, but the Mondeo remained the same (a couple of weak facelifts don't count – they were purely cosmetic). But even with such conservatism and outdated looks, the car didn't lose demand. Just think: in the first four months, Russian dealers sold out not only the entire half-year quota but also another 2,500 cars borrowed from Estonian colleagues. In short, the old version was swept off the shelves back in April, when order intake for the new model was just being prepared. The predecessor had a great finale, but the successor's start could be even more triumphant: by early July, dealers had gathered over 3,000 orders, and none of the future owners had even seen the car in the flesh. Time to fix that oversight: accepting the kind invitation of Ford's Russian office, our correspondent set off to meet the long-awaited newcomer.

What immediately catches the eye: the Mondeo has grown, and so much that it has outpaced not only its classmates (European C/D segment) but also sedans of a higher D/E class — for example, the Mitsubishi Galant or Toyota Camry. The Ford folks themselves still call it primarily a family car, but they don't shy away from ambitions in "small business." Whether the newcomer can compete on equal footing with the Camry and Teana – practice will tell, but it's quite capable of spoiling blood for the leaders. So, meet the new Ford Mondeo. As predicted, the appearance of the current generation has been brought by Ford's European designers in line with the corporate "kinetic design" concept. The legendary brand is saying goodbye to its long-standing image of a manufacturer of reliable, solid, but utterly emotionless cars – the ideal corporate brand chosen with the head, not the heart. Marketers see future buyers as living people who vote for Ford not only with their wallets but also with their souls – for character and looks. If the task was to create a stylistically impeccable car, the team almost succeeded. "Almost" is a purely subjective caveat, because perfection doesn't exist in nature. In any case, the new Mondeo turned out emotional and energetic. Slanted headlights, a swift silhouette, a sloping rear with S-Max-style lights... From the predecessor, only the blue oval woven into the "high-tech" radiator grille remains. The car looks confident and, most importantly, modern. The only thing it lacks, in my taste, is a drop of solidity. On one hand, this reduces its chances in "small business," but on the other, it ensures a gap from "family" competitors. They say the Mazda 6 built on the same platform will be even more aggressive, but its European premiere is a couple of months away, and it will appear here even later.

As before, the new Mondeo delights with a wealth of choice: three body types (sedan, wagon, and hatchback), seven (!) engines, including not only those familiar from the Focus but also a completely new gasoline unit for Ford with a 2.3-liter displacement, as well as a 2.2-liter turbodiesel developed jointly with PSA. The typically "Ford" flexible ordering policy that allows you to build a car "to your liking" hasn't gone anywhere. But, deviating from their usual modesty, the Ford folks have equipped the options list with a very decent set of equipment. First, there's the intelligent Keyless access and engine start system – you can open the door and start the engine without a key. Second, the buyer can treat themselves to Russian-language navigation and RunFlat puncture-resistant tires. And pleasant little things like Bluetooth, cruise control with radar (monitoring the distance to the car ahead), a "multi-format" stereo with CD changer, and the right mirror that tilts down when reversing – are already a given. Three instrument panel variants are also provided, with the most advanced one featuring a 1.5-inch LCD display showing information on all onboard systems. True, there's a nuance: base trims make do with the simplest version. However, this doesn't significantly affect the overall impression of the interior.

Potential buyers will definitely like the inside. From the old version, only the badge on the steering wheel remains here. The cabin is no less presentable than the exterior and, importantly, very comfortable. The seats and steering column have huge adjustment ranges, so anyone can get comfortable behind the wheel. There's no less space in the back – three passengers will fit freely, even if the front seats are pushed all the way back. They'll only bother each other with their elbows. The trunk also deserves praise, though with such dimensions it's no surprise, so let's return to the cabin.

There are no complaints about the execution and equipment. Unfortunately, Ford's designers didn't forget the fly in the ointment. Perhaps it's subjective, but I've only seen such "oak-like" plastic in the lower part of the cockpit in expensive Chinese cars. If this can still be forgiven in a new model, then the frankly plastic "wood" on the center console (in the not-cheapest Ghia version) is complete nonsense. Metal in the same place, as in the top Titanium trim, looks much more respectable and doesn't evoke painful associations with Eastern surrogate. It's a shame, because otherwise the Mondeo's interior finish leaves very pleasant impressions. At least the buyer has a choice.

By the way, the only thing you can't choose in the Mondeo today is the transmission: at the start of sales, we'll only have 5- or 6-speed manuals, while automatics will appear closer to the end of the year. As we've already found out, seven engines are offered. Which one the buyer chooses is a matter of taste; I got the top 2.5-liter turbo engine from the Focus ST. How it drives is probably clear. Powerful torque is available almost from idle, so there are no complaints about dynamics. The gearbox operation and ride smoothness also deserve the highest praise. Even at high speeds, such a Mondeo remains very comfortable. The suspensions handle bumps imperceptibly and precisely, so potholes are barely felt in the cabin. At the same time, the car is quite stable – regardless of whether the stability control system is on or off. It "writes" corners like on rails, and it's no less stable on a straight line. The only thing that slightly disappoints is noticeable body roll at high speeds, but I'm inclined to chalk this "ailment" up to the quality of Russian roads.

In the end, I want to note the amazing balance of all the newcomer's driving qualities. The steering, chassis settings, even the engine's character – everything is so harmonious that you simply relax behind the wheel, and this is perhaps the Mondeo's main advantage. In a word, the new design, whose main postulate was the slogan "feel the difference," marking the brand's transition from a faceless past to an emotional future, turned out to be a successful "wrapper" for a truly worthy car.

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Source – www.automania.ru