Ford Mondeo

You've seen the pictures - but how is Ford's new Mondeo going to perform when it finally hits the road? Auto Express is the first magazine in the world to find out.

We were invited to join a group of development drivers as they put a 217bhp 2.5-litre hatchback through a series of punishing tests at the company's top-secret development centre at Lommel in Belgium.

With the official launch less than five months away, the Ford group was quick to point out that they are still fine-tuning the car. Even so, it's obvious that every­body has worked hard to develop and improve the family favourite's refinement and interior quality.

Once you are inside the newcomer, it doesn't take long to realise that the seats, like those in the S-MAX people carrier, are extremely comfortable and offer plenty of support. We thought the driving position looked high, but there's no doubt that the slim, sculp­ted A-pillars and large glass area offer a great view of the road ahead.

As momentum gathers, the growl of the five-cylinder engine loses out to wind noise, but even at high speeds the cabin never becomes uncomfortably noisy, and the suspension feels compliant over small imperfections.

Of course, there's no way we can report on steering feedback from the passenger seat, but the Mondeo does offer plenty of grip in corners.

As we head on to rougher roads, it's clear engineers have ensured the new Mondeo's cockpit is as robustly screwed together as is possible. And the effort has been worthwhile, as absolutely nothing rattles.

In the rear, the space on offer is equal to big executive cars and although our time in the back was short, the Mondeo looks sure to be a comfortable long distance cruiser.

So Ford has a potential winner on its hands; but what did our reader panel make of it? For the answer, you'll need to view the Mondeo video on the link below.

• Mondeo appraisal