Ford Confirms Mondeo, Focus diesel and XR4

digitalpunk · 02-03-2007, 04:48 PM

From Carpoint

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2401719.aspx

Mondeo definite, Focus with diesel and XR4 coming to Oz too

Ford confirmed it will add the Mondeo to its local line-up before the end of 2007 as well as unveiling a new baby hot hatch and a swag of model range additions including Focus turbodiesel today at MIMS.

The Mondeo medium car was unveiled, to some surprise, ahead of its official world premiere (in production trim) at Geneva Motor Show next week. In a coup for the Blue Oval locally, the new car will arrive later in 2007.

According to Ford boss Tom Gorman, it could be on local roads before October's Sydney Motor Show.

The announcement drew to a close the ongoing 'will-they, won't-they' speculation regarding the arrival of the Blue Oval's medium car entrant. Gorman also revealed that two body styles, three trim levels and two powertrains will be offered when the car arrives Down Under.

Ford Europe is expected to debut hatch, sedan and wagon variants of the Mondeo next week. Ford Australia displayed a hatch at MIMS, which will be joined by the sedan when it launches locally.

Though he would not confirm any more details regarding the model line-up, Gorman did confirm that Ford will offer its 2.0-litre TDCi turbodiesel in Mondeo from launch.

In nominating the diesel as one of the two engine options, it's almost certain the other will be a conventional, naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Mondeo will, however, be offered in Europe with the excellent Volvo-sourced five-cylinder turbo engine that also features in the Focus XR5. Perhaps Mondeo might also spawn a sporty variant moving forward?

No doubting the sporting credentials of the other Euro-to-Oz Ford unveiling at MIMS, however. The XR4 tops the Fiesta range just as the XR5 haloes the Focus offering.

The XR4 is also the handiwork of Ford Europe's TeamRS hotrod haus and sports a 2.0-litre 110kW/190Nm atmo four-cylinder Duratec powerplant coupled to a five-speed close-ratio manual box. Upgrades include faster steering, suspension and alloys, four-wheel disc brakes and there's a modest body kit.

Inside there's sports seat and all the requisite go-fast paraphernalia.

The bold body stripes of the blue-on-white showcar will be optional when it hits the showrooms in the second quarter of 2007.

Ford expects XR4s to account for around 10 per cent of Fiesta sales with a broad estimate of 40-60 units per month quoted.

Though the new Falcon remains some way off, 2007 will nonetheless be a busy year for Ford, says boss Gorman.

In addition to the high-profile models detailed above (look out for more on both the Mondeo and XR4 here soon), Ford has also confirmed it will offer a Focus turbodiesel at mid-year, it's first diesel passenger car Down Under, as well as bolstering the Focus range with the addition of Ghia hatch and Zetec sedan variants.

Focus will also add Dynamic Stability Control and side curtain airbags as part of a facelift/update. It's not clear which models will get the safety features as standard equipment and which will offer them as options.

Fiesta range gets an extra model in addition to the XR4 too -- the new five-door Zetec is on sale now.

And, as spotlighted by Ford already, expect plenty of value added packs to appear across the Falcon and Territory ranges. At MIMS, Ford announced a RipCurl limited edition XR ute and a new Territory SR with around $5000 worth of extra equipment.

**Fordman1** · 02-03-2007, 04:53 PM

Mmmmmmm........Bondeo !

I like it. Can't wait for pricing. It'll be a good replacement for my current car.

ondori · 02-03-2007, 05:37 PM

Great news, great move ford.

**Polyal** · 02-03-2007, 06:02 PM

Is the mondeo at the MMS? Or atleast the IOSIS (sp?) conept.

Ghiadude · 02-03-2007, 06:43 PM

yes !! in a MAJOUR COUP it appeared here ahead of it official launch overseas!!!

**Fordman1** · 02-03-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Is the mondeo at the MMS? Or atleast the IOSIS (sp?) conept.

Mondeo.

Cuey · 02-03-2007, 08:03 PM

Fantastic News!

M14A-Mclaren · 02-03-2007, 08:09 PM

The Mondeo is a awesome looking car for its market.

**Fordman1** · 02-03-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M14A-Mclaren

The Mondeo is a awesome looking car for its market.

I love it.

Loved the Mazda 6 until I saw this car which is a generation ahead.

An XR version would be Hot !

sfr rob · 02-03-2007, 09:04 PM

any freakin decent pics?!

chevypower · 03-03-2007, 12:13 AM

Well it was a nice surprise at the Ford stand to see a friend of mine who works at Ford in Geelong, so it was nice to be able to stand on the turntable to see the interior of the Mondeo and get away with it. The Mazda 6, Epica and many others have nothing on the Mondeo, make no mistake about it. I am the least brand biased person there on these forums, and I tell you this thing is awesome. It is in the same league as the VW Passatt, and I am leaning towards the Mondeo between those two. My mate sounded unsure, but suspected power out of the TDCI version we are getting is around 120kw and torque towards the 400Nm mark - sounded a little high, said it could possibly be a 2.2L version but it was unconfirmed. He was even less sure about petrol engines, but I would suspect the 2.5L 5 cyl inline Volvo engine would be in the line up, as well as a small V6?

Jayden · 03-03-2007, 12:36 AM

wonder if FPV will get to play with one? id like that

Tles · 03-03-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

I love it.

Loved the Mazda 6 until I saw this car which is a generation ahead.

An XR version would be Hot !

Autoblog has spy picks of next 6 - bigger and better. On Mondeo, Volvo etc platform and rumoured to be getting the option of 3.5 Duratec V6 - Look out!

Rob · 03-03-2007, 10:16 AM

2.0 litre XR4 ftw!!!

**Fordman1** · 03-03-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caseterritory

Autoblog has spy picks of next 6 - bigger and better. On Mondeo, Volvo etc platform and rumoured to be getting the option of 3.5 Duratec V6 - Look out!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm.................

killer_taxi · 03-03-2007, 11:25 AM

I hope we get the Wagon version of the Mondeo over here!

JG66ME · 03-03-2007, 11:31 AM

Saw it at the Melbourne Motor Show yesterday. One word, STUNNING. If fuel cost were an issue to me I would rather a turbo diesel Mondeo to a E Gas Falcon.

Steve

Mark351 · 03-03-2007, 10:11 PM

How does Ford Oz badge an XR Mondeo using the same engine as the Focus? XR5.2? XR5+ XR5-Lrg, XR5-Upsized?

Piotr · 03-03-2007, 10:49 PM

Hasn't ford confirmed that the mondeo will initially be released with a 107kw 2.0L petrol engine (same as focus) and a 2l Diesel with 101kw?

ED Classic · 04-03-2007, 12:39 AM

Ecellent news Ford, The right marketing on this car will do much better than previous Modeo

**Fordman1** · 04-03-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathXR

How does Ford Oz badge an XR Mondeo using the same engine as the Focus? XR5.2? XR5+ XR5-Lrg, XR5-Upsized?

Maybe just XR...

sockie · 04-03-2007, 11:12 AM

Sounds good the new Mondeo is a great move - want more information though, I guess it's early yet.

Also wanted to find out about what's happening with the Ford Focus, information about the diesel engine and pricing.

I realize its early but I'm excited about finding out more.

csv8 · 04-03-2007, 09:30 PM

Yes..Goood news from FORD. At least they aren't DAEWOO'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chevypower · 05-03-2007, 03:23 PM

Ok here is my speculation for Mondeo engines for Australia:

2.5L NA 5cyl petrol
3.2L I6 DOHC 171kw/317Nm
2.2L 4cyl DOHC Duratorq Turbo Diesel 118kw/400Nm

and wait for it....

Mondeo XR6 Turbo / Mondeo ST in the UK? Or would the NA 3.2I6 be the top of the line and just call it XR6?

**Fordman1** · 05-03-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Yes..Goood news from FORD. At least they aren't DAEWOO'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ditto....

chevypower · 06-03-2007, 01:22 AM

turns out i was right about the turbo 3.2L I6 for the Mondeo ST (Mondeo XR6 Turbo) ? Now lets hope they use the 118kw 2.2L TDCi diesel here too

from a post on Fordforums.com an Auto Express article on the Mondeo ST with pics!!!
http://www.fordforums.com/showthread.php?t=141771

The Stylist · 06-03-2007, 08:20 AM

That Autoexpress article is quite old and speculative unfortunatly. The car pictured is just a prototype that was used in the Bond film Casino Royale.

Though, if all going well, there should be a six cylinder engine on the horizon.

**Fordman1** · 06-03-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

turns out i was right about the turbo 3.2L I6 for the Mondeo ST (Mondeo XR6 Turbo) ? Now lets hope they use the 118kw 2.2L TDCi diesel here too

from a post on Fordforums.com an Auto Express article on the Mondeo ST with pics!!!
http://www.fordforums.com/showthread.php?t=141771

I don't think they'll do the I6 unless there are a lot of queries, or unless that medium performance market becomes huge (it seems to be Hot Hatches or Hot V8's right now).

I think it'll be a 2 litre I4 & 1 I4 Diesel only. I hope I'm wrong.

**Polyal** · 06-03-2007, 04:40 PM

I hope your wrong too, that V6 in the ST is nice.

**Fordman1** · 07-03-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I hope your wrong too, that V6 in the ST is nice.

V6 or I6 ? Are you talking about the new Mondeo ?