Test Drive Ford Mondeo Sedan 2000 - 2003 Sedan

New Mondeo.

Ford Mondeo New Generation
By radically updating its European flagship Mondeo (the world premiere took place last autumn at the Paris Auto Show), Ford expects to significantly strengthen its position in the segment of the highest middle class cars. And, it must be admitted, the request for a victory is made very serious: only slightly differing in price from its predecessor, the new Mondeo offers a much richest serial configuration, and in terms of security, the car can safely qualify for leadership in its class. For several months, from the moment the new Mondeo appeared in the salons of European Ford dealers, the car became a bestseller in Belgium and Norway, enjoyed in high demand in the UK. Unfortunately, the long-expected Russian premiere of the car is postponed to the end of spring, however, how they assured us in the representative of Ford, the cars for Russia are already collected. However, at least one Mondeo in Moscow already exists: the car from the category Pre-Production, a newly replenished representative office of the company, was kindly granted to us for a detailed acquaintance.
The editorial board turned out to be a black hatchback with the most serious from the 2,5-liter V6 of the serial Mondeo engines with a capacity of 170 hp. (At the March salon in Geneva, a more powerful modification of ST220 was presented, a complete 220-strong engine, but this machine will be produced by a limited series) and a mechanical 5-speed transmission. In addition, heraldic shields with the inscription of GHIA were blocked on the rear door submarines, testifying to the top-end configuration of the car.
Even a runaway look at the new Mondeo is enough to understand that the car was created under the strong influence of the dominant NEW EDGE in the European Ford Philosophy (new line) and its active guide of the Ford Europe designer Chris Bird, creating Ka and Focus. However, there are practically no direct borrowing of the same focus. As befits a more solid car, Mondeo differs from a smaller brother by classic balanced proportions. Stud's commitment is limited to the exterior of Mondeo noticeable similarity with Focus in the front wings lines and the headlight burning section.
Even less radicalism in the interior. No cocktail of angles and circles, excreasing democratic focus, in a respected middle class car can not be speech. Moreover, in the luxurious version of Ghia with a two-color salon. In the classic interior of Mondeo, everything is saturated with solidity and confident calmness: a solid front panel with a neat visor combinations of instruments, a massive central console. Small, but important from the point of view of the image Detail Analog clock on the console unobtrusively reminds that you are in the car not the last parsing. The same evidence of the steering knitting needles, decorated with the lever of the gearbox with matte aluminum.
Passport five people are placed in the spacious Mondeo cabin without the slightest hint of inconvenience. Moreover, the front chairs with a wide range of adjustment and developed lateral support really provide a comfortable landing: the back is practically not tired even after a few hours driving. It is more convenient in the new Mondeo and rear passengers: an additional 5 cm of the wheelbase significantly expanded the space for the legs, and there is enough space above the head and towers (at least in the hatchback).
The baggage compartment of the five-door Mondeo looks pretty roomy (of course, the folded seat is significantly increasing the useful volume). Interestingly, in the technical characteristics of the Ford car indicates only one figure of 500 liters, and the sedan and hatchback it coincides.
However, it is pretty walking around yes about! There is no controversy, a spacious trunk and a comfortable salon, tugged with useful options like an audio system and air conditioner with climate control, add a car of attractiveness, and their presence in the basic configuration is a significant factor that determines the choice of one or another brand. But, if neither twist, most importantly in the car driving character. And here the new Mondeo, no doubt, will give odds to many competitors.
I do not know how other engines, but powerful V6, inherited (of course, with a number of refinement) Mondeo has its predecessor, it is able to deliver a true pleasure to the driver. Car does not ride it flies. A successful gear selection in combination with the high elasticity of the motor, confidently picking up in almost the entire range of revolutions, allow you to quickly start from the traffic light and maintain the dynamics at high gears.
By the way, a few words about other power units. According to the company's office, Russian customers will be able to acquire Mondeo with any of the new engines, with the exception of the weakest. We are talking about the 110-strong modification of a gasoline motor with a volume of 1.8 liters. The remaining members of the Duratec family (1.8 liters, 125 hp and 2 l, 145 hp), as well as the two 2-liter versions of the DuratorQ turbodieselq (90 and 115 hp), will be Russians are quite accessible . It is noteworthy that almost all modifications of the new Mondeo are supplied with a manual transmission. The four-speed automaton is equipped with only a 2-liter gasoline version. And another curious detail. Cars collected for the Russian markets and the CIS in the factory in Belgium are absolutely no different from European cars. There is simply no special Russian package for Mondeo for Mondeo. The car, they say, certified and recognized as suitable for operation on our roads. Brave claim.
However, claims to one of the most vulnerable places of foreign cars suspension for all the time of the test (and the hatchback was dulling without a break in Moscow and the surroundings almost a week) did not arise. The car easily swallowed all the road rubbing, while maintaining striking stability in turns. Changes made by developers in the design of the front and rear suspension, significantly improved the behavior of Mondeo on the road. For example, to improve controllability and increasing the comfort, the working wheel of the wheels was increased. Comfort (including acoustic) added and fastening suspensions on isolated bodies with rubber gaskets of subframes.
Indeed, sound insulation in the new Mondeo is above all praise. Even at high speeds in the cabin you can talk without increasing the voices. The engine is almost not heard, and the whistle of the wind and the hum of studded winter rubber get much less than in other classmates.
No steering was disappointed. The Informative Steering wheel Mondeo provides a constant feedback with the driver, allowing you to instantly track attempts to break into the skid.
However, to shoot down the Mondeo from the specified course quite difficult: the actions of a person are steadily controlled by electronics. In addition to ABS, the standard for all Mondeo modifications, an auxiliary emergency braking system (EBA) can be installed on the car, which helps the driver during emergency braking. Electronics recognizes the driver of the driver's braking at the speed of the brake pedal and is capable of approving the creators, reduce the braking path for 21 meters when braking from 200 km / h before stopping the machine. Finally, another extremely useful option of the electronic stabilization system (ESP), which reduces the engine turnover and the slower removal to go from a given wheel trajectory. And they have it to plant them than: Disc brakes in front and behind Mondeo in the basic bundle.
It is not worse things and with the means of passive security. The Gentlemansky set includes two-stage front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and the side inflatable curtains are installed both in front and rear. The enhanced body design reliably protects with any types of collisions due to the energy absorbing zones in the front and rear parts and the protection system from the side impact installed in all doors.
The noble desire for Ford does not save on the safety of its customers, you can only welcome. However, despite the depressingly high Russian accident statistics, not all of them end with a farewell with the machine: in most cases it can be restored. Unfortunately, detailed information on the rates for repairs, spare parts and service of new Mondeo in authorized technical centers could not be obtained. Just because these cars are not yet on the market. The first cars must come to Russia in mid-April, and mass sales are planned only in May. Some idea of \u200b\u200bthe operational costs for the Mondeo content can be learned from the table. By the way, in the company's office, we were informed about the imminent beginning of the campaign for unifying the cost of the Ford car service in the official network.
Andrei Tsybulsky
 

A source: Wheel (Company)