Ford–and 007–Present New Mondeo

 

 

Usually James Bond drives an Aston Martin, but may be you have seen the latest James Bond movie with 007 driving the new Ford Mondeo – the sedan version of which will bow at theGeneva show in March.

Ford is said to have paid a fortune to have its Mondeo play a part in Casino Royale. The British newspaper The Sun quoted an insider: “It is a huge deal, worth far more than the two million pounds (nearly four million dollars) that the new 007, Daniel Craig, is getting.” In the meantime a figure of $25 million is mentioned.

In September, Ford unveiled the station wagon model of the Mondeo at the Paris auto show, using the term “kinetic design” to describe the design theme that the Blue Oval also applied to the 2006 C-Max crossover.

 

The sedan will debut in March in Geneva , but Ford has made the news official before the actual show opens to the media and public. The new Mondeo range consists of a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback, and a wagon, which will all arrive at the European Ford dealers in the beginning of May.

 

All models will be available with three Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, ranging from 125 to 140 hp, and four Duratec gas engines: Ford’s 126-hp 1.6-liter and 145-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, as well as the 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo with 220 hp. New is the 2.3-liter Duratc HE powerplant with 161 hp. The engines will be mated to a five or six-speed gearbox, and later this year also with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Ford has concentrated on the use of better-looking and softer materials inside, and on improving driving comfort, without giving up the much praised driving dynamics of the outgoing Mondeo.

 

Ford has not released dimensions yet, but says that the luggage compartment of the sedan measures 18.9 cubic feet and that of the hatchback can be “stretched” to 51.5 cubic feet.

 

Keyless entry and a start button and a HMI, Human Machine Interface instrument display, are new to the Mondeo. All Mondeos will get standard stability control and a capless refuelling system with inhibitor to prevent using the wrong fuel, and ‘follow-me-home’ lights. Options will include Adaptive Cruise Control, Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control and Hill Launch Assist. The optional Sport Pack consists of a lowered suspension, partly leather interior, and 17- or 18-inch aluminium wheels.

 

There will be three equipment levels for all body styles: the Trend, Titanium, and Ghia models. Prices have not yet been announced.

 

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