By Sam Hardy

27th September 2006

The car makes its public debut at the Paris Motor Show this week, and heralds the dawn of a new era for the hard-pressed firm

	Boasting sporty looks, lots of luxurious equipment and a high-quality interior, the revised Mon­deo is Ford's best hope of attracting customers back to the sector

But the Mondeo's mission won't be easy. With many buyers choosing to go for people carriers, 4x4s and crossover vehicles, traditional saloon sales are falling. To be judged a true success, the newcomer must also revitalise the family car market. Boasting sporty looks, lots of luxurious equipment and a high-quality interior, the revised Mon­deo is Ford's best hope of attracting customers back to the sector.

Going up against rivals such as Vauxhall's Vectra and the Volkswagen Passat, the Ford, revealed as an estate in Paris, shows what buyers can expect from the new model. The finished production version will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, alongside saloon and hatchback models.

As you can see, the new car clearly draws on Ford's Iosis concept - revealed at the Frankfurt show in 2005 - and mixes those styling cues with design details from the S-MAX MPV. At the front, the nose is dominated by a dramatic new look, with triangular chrome air intakes, which frame a gaping lower grille. On either side are twin spotlamps, while large headlights and a three-bar grille finish off the new Mondeo's nose. The end result is a front end that's much bolder than before.

Other neat details include the raised bonnet creases, which run to the base of the A-pillars, while the rising shoulder line and small glass area give the Mondeo a sporty profile. The steeply raked tailgate and roof spoiler continue that theme, while extended wheel­arches, sporty bulging sills, chrome-backed LED tail-lights and a protective silver bumper guard are further neat touches.

Although the final production car is unlikely to feature as much chrome as the Paris version, and most versions will wear smaller alloys, there won't be too many changes from this concept.

Despite its sporty looks, Ford maintains the estate has lots of boot space, thanks to its new chassis architecture. Many key components are shared with the S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs, and allow the family car to grow in terms of passenger space. Ford claims that head and legroom in the rear have been maximised for comfort and safety - hence the rising roofline and chunky door pillars. Shoulder space in the front should also be better, thanks to an increase in width.

The new chassis means the Mondeo will also build on the dynamic abilities of its predecessor. Ford has made it clear that its aim for the newcomer is to be the best family car in the class when it comes to steering feel, ride quality and handling.

Expect the S-MAX's clever adaptive damping set-up to make an appearance on high-spec models, plus the very latest traction and stability control systems throughout the range.

Some of the biggest leaps will be made inside. VW's Passat raised the bar in terms of cabin quality, so the Mondeo's interior features an S-MAX-style dashboard with classy, soft-touch plastics and a large centre console, which will contain an LCD screen on range-topping models. The new cabin should also be one of the most ergonomically friendly in its class. Revised seats and high-quality upholstery materials will complete the interior.

"The new Mondeo will deliver premium levels of comfort in a class-leading package," said Steve Adams, Ford's vehicle line director for large cars. "You can also expect innovative, top-of-the-range technology, particularly kit aimed at assisting and pampering the driver."

This is thought to include dual-zone climate control, voice activation for the stereo and sat-nav, plus adaptive cruise control. As you can see in the pictures, the Mondeo will also be available with a panoramic glass sunroof for the first time.

Under the bonnet, entry-level engine options will include 1.6-litre petrol and 1.8-litre turbodiesel units, but the big seller is expected to be the 2.0-litre turbodiesel. A 2.0-litre petrol model is also set to appear, as well as a top-of-the-range 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol version.

Gearbox choices will consist of a five-speed manual for the base petrol and six-speed boxes for the rest of the line-up, while an auto will be a cost option. Prices will start at around £16,000 when sales begin next summer. Bosses at Ford are confident the newcomer will take the sector by storm.

"The new Mondeo we are revealing at Paris is designed to prepare customers for the most exciting family car we have ever delivered," said Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's vice president of product development. "The finer technical details will be kept secret for a little longer, but we believe this study gives a clear indication of how different the new Mondeo will be."

Video exclusive: click on the link below to see an exclusive interview with Martin Smith, the Mondeo's chief designer.

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