Test drive Ford mondeo sedan 2005 - 2007 sedan

An old new friend

Ford mondeo with different eyes appeared in Russia

A few months ago, your correspondent encountered a very interesting regularity updated Ford Explorer, which appeared in the editorial office during the next test, in fact, it turned out to be completely new to all the main changes in the SUV touched the options for its configuration, which it was difficult to call restyling. However, as it turned out, such metamorphoses have repeatedly occurred with other models of this American company. And so, Ford remained faithful to himself in relation to one of the most popular Mondeo models in the D-class, the appearance of which was once again slightly corrected.

Over the five years of the Ford Mondeo existence in its current form, this is the second restyling (the car survived the first plastic surgery in 2003), so, it seems, the second generation of the model, like its predecessor, was identified in long -livers (recall that the previous Mondeo stood on conveyor from 1993 to 2000). However, there is nothing to be surprised here. Obviously, such a policy is fruit: every tenth of the D-class car sold in Europe last year, Ford Mondeo. Comments are superfluous.

In general, the Fords chose once again to walk along the already beaten path, so there are no serious changes in the exterior of the novelty. Designers changed the forms of both bumpers, slightly refreshed the upper and lower false radiator grilles, the head optics received more transparent caps, and horizontal chrome lanes appeared on the rear lights, which makes them similar to a similar part of the German Daimler-Benz cars. That, in fact, is all. Otherwise, this is all the same Ford Mondeo, with the same recognizable, muscular appearance and characteristic body profile. Although, as you know, they are not looking for good from good, and it is unlikely that the Americans are eager to change the quite successful exterior of their European flagship. At least for now. And the current restyling is definitely not for the detriment of him.

Inside with metamorphoses, they did not bother at all. Everything is still stylish, beautiful and organic here. The only change in an easy restyling of analog watches on the central console. To ergonomics, again, at least claims. The main and perhaps the only landing of the driver, or rather, is not quite logical adjustments to the front seat. The chair itself can be adjusted in the longitudinal plane and in height (and, of course, the back of the back), but a pair of electric drives responsible for the last function, in fact, regulates the angles of inclination of the pillow, so that it simply will not be necessary to lower it in a given position. Time to drive for yourself. While such manipulations with a passenger seat equipped with a rigid height adjustment take much less time. However, this is subjective, and this problem will affect, perhaps, only people with an increase above average. Otherwise, the sedan salon is almost perfect.

However, as it turned out, there is something to improve here. Mondeo of the 2005 model year, in addition to four existing ones, received another Titanium set (with its derivative, designated by Litera X). Naturally, we are talking about the top version, which is positioned as an alternative to the chic Ghia, but it is executed in a more sports style, which is expressed in a change in the color scheme and the use of other decoration materials. The basic version with a 2-liter 145-horsepower engine costs from $ 26,500, but for this money the buyer receives a climate control, a full electric package, heated windshield and washer nozzles, heating the seats and much more. You can also turn to a widest list of additional equipment, where there are parking sensors, and cruise control, and xenon headlights, an electric hatch, and leather upholstery of seats with Alcantara inserts ... True, about 3,5004,000 dollars will have to pay extra for these options, However, if the wallet allows ... for example, a sedan performed by Titanium X worth almost 40,000 cu. However, among other things, it was equipped with a top 3-liter V6 engine, which initially raised its price by $ 5,000. Although do not forget that Ford is famous for its variability, so the buyer is free to choose one of the four engines proposed to the model, including a 2.2-liter turbodiesel that develops 155 horses.

Another advantage of Mondeo security is responsible for it by the branded system of intellectual protection IPS, which, by the way, remained unchanged. In the case of a collision, it analyzes the situation and gives a signal totor to be triggered (two -stage frontal, side and inflatable curtains), pretense and restraints of the safety belts, taking into account the impact force, the driver’s position and the presence of a passenger in the front seat. In addition, the Titanium kit includes ABS C EBD, ESP and the EBA emergency braking system, so you can not be afraid for its safety. Within a reasonable one, of course.

Moreover, this becomes relevant when a 3-liter V6 of the Duratec family is installed under the hood of the sedan (the forced version is installed on the flagship Mondeo ST220), and even aggregated with the 6-speed Durashift mechanics. By the way, the latter Americans also slightly improved her. There is no question of any cardinal changes, of course, but still ... in fact, the Fords did not finish the box itself, but the transfers mechanism, adding a safety ring there, similar to what we met, for example, on OPEL Car levers. Now, in order to turn on the rear gear, the driver will have to pull it up, and only then drown the lever to the left. Partly, this solution looks controversial, because additional manipulations will have to spend extra time. But in fact, after a couple of training, switching time is reduced to a minimum, in addition, the scheme itself almost completely excludes the possibility of error when choosing a transmission, which, you see, often happens, especially with novice drivers. In general, one way or another, this innovation cannot be called superfluous.

However, it did not affect the habits of the car. Although any changes here, perhaps, are already unnecessary: \u200b\u200bMondeo is already quite capable of attracting many drivers to the camp of its admirers. You don’t even have to write about how he goes, it’s enough to look at the characteristics of the power unit, which, with a maximum power of 204 horses, gives out a 280 nm at 4900 revolutions. At the same time, the car steers perfectly and brakes perfectly, extremely adequately responding to the pressing of the middle pedal. To moderately, a hard suspension is quite comfortable (here again, without changes: in front of the rack Mcpherson, and the Quadralink multi -link tested for years). Of course, periodically passengers are shaking at irregularities, but this is compensated by excellent stability at high speeds and almost a complete absence of buildup. And yet, oddly enough, Mondeo with a 3-liter V6 under the hood turned out to be a car for rest ... driving. On the one hand, it allows you to do anything with you: a powerful jerk from a traffic light is not a problem, high -speed gravity on a maximum speed along one of the tracks near Moscow please. Power reserve is more than enough for both for the other. But with the other, the car is by no means aggressive and does not provoke an active ride, rather, on the contrary, soothes. It was then that the driver is able to get maximum pleasure, the pleasure of having modern, reliable, comfortable and, most importantly, a powerful car that at any moment will fulfill any of your teams, any of your desires.

Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [05.09.2005]