It’s been a while coming but Ford Australia has finally revealed a new MB series Mondeo range, headlined by the introduction of an all-new wagon and an all-new, high-series model nameplate, the Mondeo Titanium.
Ford says a host of new technologies and features have also been added to the new Mondeo range, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Dynamic Headlights with cornering lamps, along with significantly improved equipment levels across all models.
The Mondeo wagon will be offered in both LX and Zetec specifications when the new line-up goes on sale in late July.
“First shown at the Melbourne International Motor Show last year, the Mondeo wagon is a fantastic addition to the award-winning Mondeo line-up, offering performance, safety, load-carrying ability and plenty of European style to fill the niche between the Mondeo hatch and the Falcon wagon,” Ford Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela said.
“Mondeo has always been acclaimed for its strong attributes, particularly its driving dynamics, safety performance and interior package.
“With the new range we’ve taken these qualities a step further, adding advanced vehicle technologies and improving standard equipment levels to deliver an unmatched mid-size package,” he added.
Mondeo wagon is powered by a 2.3-litre, Duratec four-cylinder engine, which produces 118kW of power and 208Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift.
It offers a comprehensive safety package, in line with the Mondeo hatch, which has earned a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.
The package comprises an enhanced Intelligent Protection System (IPS) complemented by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), automatic hazard warning lights activation and seven airbags, including side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.
Ford says an impressive load carrying space is a key feature of the new wagon, providing a luggage capacity of 542 litres with the rear passenger seats in the upright position, increasing to 1733 litres with the rear passenger seats folded flat.
With the arrival of the MB Mondeo the introductory level Mondeo LX will drop the sedan body and instead be available in hatch and wagon.
Standard LX specification already extends to air-conditioning, front power windows, an eight speaker CD audio system with auxiliary input for MP3 players, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, heated power mirrors, Ford Easy Fuel® capless refuelling and ‘follow me home’ lighting.
New equipment and features for Mondeo LX includes the advanced Bluetooth® hands-free with Voice Control system, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Mondeo is the only car in its class to offer voice control technology, which is now standard across the entire range. On Zetec and above it extends to activation of the audio and climate control systems.
The Mondeo Zetec’s extensive list of standard equipment carries over from the previous model, and has been upgraded to also include a USB input for USB/MP3 player integration and full iPod compatibility with the audio system, and the high-series Human Machine Interface (HMI) with Ford Convers+ premium colour instrument cluster display, which was previously only available on the XR5 Turbo.
An all-new, high-series, Mondeo Titanium model line will be available with the 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine or the optional 2.0-litre Duratorq turbo diesel engine.
Positioned between the Zetec and XR5 Turbo models, Mondeo Titanium offers both sporty looks and premium luxury features.
A sports body kit – featuring a front and rear bumper skirt, side skirts, distinctive upper and lower grilles and a fog lamp kit – along with sports suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels, gives the Titanium an unmistakeable presence on the road.
On the inside there is Alcantara/leather seat trim along with variable heated front seats, a power sunroof with tilt/slide functionality, a keyless start system with ‘Ford Power’ starter button, Bluetooth® with Voice Control and B-pillar mounted air ducts for the rear passenger compartment.
New features that are standard on Titanium include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) and Collision Mitigation, and Dynamic Headlights with swivelling low beam headlights and static cornering lights, both of which are a first for a Ford vehicle in Australia.
Ford’s ‘Smart Key’ key-free entry system is also a new addition to the Titanium’s wide-ranging list of standard equipment.
Finally, the top-of-the-range, performance XR5 Turbo model has also been upgraded, picking up all the new high-tech features such as ACC, Ford’s ‘Smart Key’ key-free entry system, Bluetooth® with Voice Control and a power sunroof with tilt/slide functionality.
New features unique to XR5 Turbo include 18-inch alloy wheels in a new, aggressive five-spoke sports design with a ‘Mystique’ silver finish, bi-xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with static cornering lights and dual chrome exhaust outlets with a straight finish. On the inside there is new contrasting red stitching for the Alcantara/leather seat trim.
Pricing starts at $31,990 (manufacturer’s list price) for the LX Hatch with six-speed auto and rises to $44,990 for the XR5 Turbo Hatch. The LX wagon is priced at $32,990 and the Zetec wagon at $37,990.
