From £17,850
Range-topping 2.2-litre TDCi Mondeo combines performance and economy, but at a price

What is it?

Ford’s answer to criticism of the relative lack of urge of the 2.0-litre TDCI engine already offered in the Mondeo.

The new 2179cc turbodiesel is a familiar unit, co-developed by Ford and Peugeot-Citroen, but this is the first time it’s been offered in the Mondeo. Power is up by 35bhp over the 2.0 TDCI to 173bhp, torque rises from 251lb ft to 295lb ft – with an additional 15lb ft of overboost under full acceleration.

What’s it like?

The new engine increases the 2.2 TDCI Mondeo’s kerbweight by 28kg compared to the 2.0 TDCI, explaining the slightly underwhelming performance: the claimed 8.7 second 0-62 mph time is just half a second quicker than the less powerful diesel.

The good news is that, subjectively, the 2.2 TDCI feels far quicker than that. Torque arrives in a seamless shove, and the off-boost lethargy of the 2.0-litre unit is all but eradicated.

The Mondeo’s well-mannered chassis is more than up to handling the increase in urge, with just the merest hint of torque steer over dry roads. And even on rougher road surfaces the Mondeo delivers impressive traction, even in first and second gears.

Any criticism? Well the engine produces more clatter than the 2.0-litre unit at start up – and the turbo is louder, too, with audible whistle under hard use.

The rest of the dynamic performance remains as before. The chassis combines excellent manners with plenty of enthusiasm for a backroad workout, refinement levels are excellent and the shift action of the six-speed manual gearbox is one of the sweetest in the business.

So should I buy one?

Ford are only offering the new motor with the top specification levels, meaning a hefty pricetag by Mondeo standards. The 2.2 TDCI is slightly less frugal than the 2.0 TDCI too, and CO2 emissions are higher.

That said, the 2.2 TDCI is definitely the pick of the range for those seeking to combine performance with economy.

Matt Rigby

Join the debate

Comments
5
Add a comment…
theonlydt 2 November 2008

Re: Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi Titanium X

They need to offer this engine with lower trim levels. The extra performance is worth the upgrade to the 2.2, but the cost of titanium x over the zetec isn't. £1000 extra for the 2.2, but £3.5k for a whole load of heavy kit some people don't want...

The Apprentice 25 May 2008

Re: Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi Titanium X

As someone who spends their day out on the road for work, if nothing else, I enjoy not filling up every day or at best every other day as was the case with the petrols I have had. On a quiet week I go can nearly the week, sometimes its quite a surprise to get my fuel card report and see how few stop it took to do 2500 - 3500 miles.

I do miss that extra few RPM in the odd situation though.

BestPriceCar.com 24 May 2008

Re: Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi Titanium X

From the point of mpg, a diesel car only has to achieve around 4-5mpg more to compensate for the increased cost of fuel. They cost more to buy but you get some of this back at resale.

The 2.0 litre Mondeo didn't have quite enough go and therefore I drove the 2.2 as soon as it was available at Ford in Abingdon with the aim of replacing my current car. It feels much quicker and 45mpg is adequate compensation for burning diesel.