Ford Vamps Up The Mondeo

Twenty years after the launch of the original version, Ford has dramatically updated the Ford Mondeo and is planning to release it next year.

Promising to be cleaner and sharper than ever, the new Mondeo has a front grille that is reminiscent of the Aston Martin DBS, a streamlined shape and dynamic, slanted headlights. The model was showcased at the Detroit motor show, where the company’s world headquarters is based.

To date, 1.34 million Mondeos have been sold in the UK over two decades. The new version will feature 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines and a diesel option, as well as a petrol-electic hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid versions. Ford aims to allow Mondeo drivers to cut costs and emissions, with the electric hybrid model delivering the equivalent of 100mpg.

The new Mondeo is also set to be about 1 ft 3 inches longer than the original and an extra 4 inches wider and 2 inches higher, providing a huge amount of cabin space for both front and rear passengers.

In addition to the greener engines and extra space, Ford will include seven must-have technologies. These range from an automatic self-parking system, which steers the car into a parallel park while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals, to a voice-activated communication system that operates through a hands-free mobile phone.

The seventh-generation Ford Mondeo is due to be launched in the first quarter of 2013 and is expected to be priced from around £18,000.