Test Drive Ford Mondeo Sedan 2005 - 2007 Sedan

Citizen

Ford Mondeo TDCI is ideal for life in a megalopolis

Four days behind the wheel of Mondeo with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel under the hood convinced me in his two main advantages. The first is obviously the car is very economical, and burn in traffic jams it is more profitable than gasoline. The second is that it guarantees confident movement, providing more than decent dynamics and a high level of comfort. Therefore, to the diesel version there is already a fairly popular model makes sense to look at both corporate and private clients.

Indestine Ghia.

Since the external look of the model is not known in Russia, there is no point in Russia (TDCI differs only by the presence of an appropriate nameplate on the trunk lid), I will stop at the interior. Mondeo visited the test in the richest configuration of Ghia, which I, confess, was very happy. The decoration of the cabin can be called luxurious and comfortable without exaggeration. Well profiled seats with enviable lateral support are covered with skin and pleasant to the touch and in the view suede, and electrical adjustments can easily choose the desired landing. Combined steering wheel with a natural tree insert (although I personally prefer only the skin) and chrome knitting needles, you can move not only up-down, but adjustable by departure. Immediately, at hand, there is a small joystick of the audio system. The central console is decorated with inserts from the same tree, and it is crowned with its stylish oval watches, according to which, however, it is not easy to determine the time in the dark. Next to the clock three chrome-connected alarm, heating the rear and windshield.

From the overall stylistry, only the climatt control system unit with a monochrome display is slightly knocked out. However, it is still about a sufficiently available model. The screen is located a black Sony audio system rectangle, the sound of which may not be impressed with true music love, but most people will satisfy quite. Another thing is that when moving to the third gear, I sometimes pushing my finger on a chrome joystick system, interrupting her work. Just below, in close proximity to the KP lever, the buttons are located, with which you can open the trunk, turn off the ESP stabilization system, turn on heating or ventilation of the front seats. Next, there are not quite comfortable ashtray (smoking harmful!) And it does not interfere with a very comfortable armrest, it does not interfere with the 6-speed manual box. Finally, it should be said that on the rear seats it is convenient to go (checked), and a lot of things can be fitted with a 500-liter trunk.

Rest only in our dreams

This is a misconception that the car with a diesel power unit is chosen only economical people who are confessing exclusively a calm ride style. Let's deal with this on the example of Ford Mondeo TDCI. And for the sake of purity of the experiment, first of all reset the data of the side computer in order to accurately know the fuel consumption with active ride.

We launch the engine and mark silence in the cabin and almost complete lack of vibrations on the Baranca and the KP lever. Well, we touch and type the speed. If there was an inexperienced driver next to me and in fact, he would hardly noticate how the ESP indicator was blown at the start, because he watched only forward, holding the handle over the door. Dynamics and in fact capable of impress. For my part, I will explain: the indicator flashed because the front leading wheels were removed from the wet asphalt to slip. Of course, I myself could greatly avoid it, if it were not for a thick sole on the shoes, not too joining the accelerator pedal, and perhaps the clutch pedal could be a little informative. Moreover, given the huge torque of the engine. However, do not judge strictly we just went, but to any car should be adopted.

This is what you do not have, so it is to the mechanical KP operation algorithm: the lever has clear and short moves, which allows you to quickly move from one step to another. By the way, it is possible not only when starting from the traffic light, but also, let's say, shooting from a speed of 70 km / h. The motor at the same time and very elastic is most of the torque is available with almost idling, and is able to demonstrate an explosive character, it is worth it to nourish it. But dramatically slow down, while squeezing the clutch pedal must be taken into account the same large torque. Meanwhile, with a slowdown in Mondeo, everything perfectly doses the effort on the pedals easily, and the power of the calipers can envy many classmates.

As for the controllability, then at low speeds, you note not too good feedback on the ram. It is apparently the desire of engineers as much as possible to reduce vibrations on the steering wheel. However, if you go quickly, everything becomes in its place, the hydraulicer completely allows you to feel the steering wheel. And, for example, on direct or during the passage of a bunch of aging, there are no problems in good speed. The highest rating is worth putting Mondeo for setting up suspension. Surprise how carefree you can go through a bad road. At the same time, in the turns of the carriage rolls are not great, feel what is happening with the machine, whether it is far to loss of stability very easily. You can say the perfect option for everyday moving around the city and beyond.

What is the result? For four days, the odometer's testimony increased by 300 kilometers traveled through all sorts of roads and at different pace. The average fuel consumption on the on-board computer was 9.4 liters a good result, given my driving style and the total car mileage of only 900 km.

Two options

Tested Mondeo, judging by the data from the company's official website, is available only in the top versions of GHIA and GHIA X. Hence the price from $ 29,000. I don't think it's too expensive for the car in a rich configuration with one of the most advanced and powerful 4- Cylinder diesel engines in the world. In addition, competitors will cost perhaps more expensive. Of those available in our market, it is worth highlighting the VW Passat V6 TDI, which is a little more powerful, but has a smaller torque, more voracious and noticeably more expensive, including maintenance. In addition, Ford offers a good program for corporate clients. Yes, and the private owner is not sin to save.
 
Text: Andrei Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Car Izvestia" [№7 (75), 2005]