The Ford Mondeo will be replaced in the summer of 2007. And the new model, codenamed CD345, will be a vastly different proposition to today’s conservative four-year-old, with a new emphasis on styling, performance, dynamics, gadgets and quality.
A secret Ford document seen by Autocar spills the beans on the Mondeo project and reveals that it will be part of a new family of big Fords that includes the next Galaxy and other spin-offs.
Conventional four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and five-door estates will once again form the backbone of the new Mondeo line-up, which will be sold across Europe and selected Asian markets, including China.
Also under consideration is a lightweight off-roader. Conceived along the lines of the Volvo XC70, with a rugged exterior, four-wheel drive and raised ride height, it is known internally as the MAC (Multi Activity Combi) and is tentatively planned for launch in winter ’08.
Our detailed document outlines plans that will see the third-generation Mondeo ditch its current underpinnings, which date back to 1993, for a modified version of the new C1 platform structure used by the new Focus C-Max.
Together with standard front-wheel drive, it will also be offered with four-wheel drive – a rare treat in a class of front-drivers such as the Vectra, 407, Laguna and Passat.
Known internally as C1-plus, the versatile underpinnings use McPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension. Two different versions, one with conventional seating and the other with a raised seating arrangement similar to the Focus C-Max’s, are underway. Models using the latter will share a common inner body structure ahead of the B-pillar to further reduce costs.With three years to go until the Mondeo is due to reach showrooms, many details are still undecided – including the styling, which is set to progress from today’s conservative shape towards a more contemporary appearance, according to internal sources at the company’s Cologne-based styling studio.
The CD345 Mondeo marks a move away from Ford’s ‘New Edge’ styling theme, started with the Ka, but a final shape hasn’t yet emerged. ‘The hardpoints will be locked in at the end of May, along with the proportions. However, the design freeze isn’t due to be made until next June,’ said our mole.
The new car, depicted here in our artist’s impression, isn’t expected to differ much in size from the 4730mm length, 1810mm width and 1460mm height of today’s car. Although the C-Max boasts a wheelbase 110mm shorter than the current Mondeo’s, modifications should bring it close to 2800mm.Power comes from a range of new and improved engines – all developed to meet 100,000-mile warranty and 18,500-mile service interval targets recently introduced as part of Ford’s new-car development process in Europe. Petrol units include base 115bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT multi-point injection, along with 130bhp1.8-litre and 145bhp 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder units.
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