Currently reading: Mk4 Mondeo spied testing
A European hybrid version, which is powered by a 2.0-litre Duratec engine coupled to an electric motor and a CVT transmission, seems likely

This is the all-new Ford Mondeo undergoing towing and cooling tests in the Alps.

The European version of the new Ford Fusion — codenamed CD391 — won’t go on sale in the UK until September 2013, although it will make its public debut at the Paris motor show this September.

This test car is a saloon — the only body style that will be offered in North America — but European Mondeos will be available as either a five-door hatchback or an as yet unseen estate.

Today’s familiar 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engines will be offered on the new model, and are expected to develop similar power to today’s 158bhp and 200bhp units. The current 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engines will also be fitted to the Mk4 Mondeo, while benefiting from improvements to refinement and driveability. 

Ford sources say no decision has been made on whether European buyers will be offered the all-wheel-drive system that is an option in the US. However, a European version of the Fusion hybrid, which is powered by a 2.0-litre Duratec engine coupled to an electric motor and CVT transmission, seems likely.

The new Mondeo will also introduce a safety first to Europe with the option of airbag seatbelts for rear passengers. In the event of a collision, the airbag stored inside the belt deploys in 40 milliseconds and spreads the impact loads across an area five times larger than with a normal belt. 

These belts also offer “extra support to the head and neck in an accident, which is especially important for the young and elderly”, according to Ford.

The new Mondeo is based on Ford’s new global CD platform and will be built at Genk in Belgium alongside the next-generation Galaxy and S-Max.

According to Ford, some one million vehicles per year will be built on the CD platform across 10 model lines by 2015.

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The Ford Mondeo is a fine car in most areas. The family hatch is still a class leader even as its replacement nears

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6th.replicant 18 July 2012

Don't know what it is with

Don't know what it is with Ford's current designs, but the rear wheels somehow look smaller than the fronts. Weird.

And yes, the Aston-esque grille is deeply tragic.

Adrian987 17 July 2012

Grille evolution...

Ah, well, if you look at the current Mondeo, that "Aston" grille sits lower down, with a smaller thing above it.  Over time, Ford has been getting the public used to it being "their" grille and now they are ready to move is up and lose the little'un altogether.  Oh how we are manipulated.

Perhaps Ford could co-operate with Toyota and have a Ford-isd iQ.  Would not be too much work to do on the Cygnet to bring it into shape, and...  it will fit into parking spaces!

Lightningduck 17 July 2012

Why in all of the name that

Why in all of the name that is holy would you give it another manufactures' grill?