What's all this about?
Ford has announced prices for the fifth-generation Mondeo, which you can order now and then have on your drive, all sparkly and new, in November.
How much will it cost me?
In the UK, prices will start from £20,795. That compares well to the Germans from which it is trying to tempt buyers, such as the BMW 3 Series (from £23,550), Audi's A4 (£24,385) and the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class (£26,855). Although it's quite a lot more than the Vauxhall Insignia, which can be yours from as little as £16,534.
Cor, is this Mondeo worth the extra?
Well, it looks fantastic and Mondeos have typically always been very near the top of the D-segment class, normally because they drive brilliantly. This one is promising a whole load of fancy technology, which we told you about very recently, but also a sorted chassis. If it can get the luxury/driving fun balance right, it could steal some BMW and A4 sales...
Give me a few more equipment details, please.
OK, alongside the goodies we outlined previously, this will be the first Ford to feature LED headlights, it'll have what is claimed to be an industry-first inflatable rear seatbelt, and there'll be the chance to buy the first European-manufactured hybrid made by Ford.
What?
That's right - there will be three body styles, the normal cars coming as either five-door hatches or the Euro-centric estate. But the four-door saloon will be the Hybrid, which mates a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery to deliver CO2 emissions that are anticipated to be a gram underneath the magic 100g/km barrier.
This sounds good. Any other dynamic tricks?
The 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine will be slotted into this Mondeo sometime in 2015, which is a hugely intriguing match of ‘small engine, big car’ that we can’t wait to try. Ford will also offer four-wheel drive versions early next year. Which, if we submit to the child within us, makes us dream of there being a mad, balls-out Mondeo RS Cosworth, sometime in 2018...
When will we get first driving impressions?
Funnily enough, Car Enthusiast will be getting behind the wheel of the all-new Mondeo on October 8/9. Watch this space!
Matt Robinson - 2 Oct 2014
