New MB Mondeo Range

[russellw]

Ford Australia today announced the release of a new MB series Mondeo range, headlined by the introduction of an all-new wagon bodystyle and an all-new, high-series model nameplate, the Mondeo Titanium.

A host of new technologies and features have also been added to the new Mondeo range, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Dynamic Headlights with cornering lamps, along with significantly improved equipment levels across all models.

The Mondeo wagon will be offered in both LX and Zetec specification levels when the new line-up goes on sale in late July.

"First shown at the Melbourne International Motor Show last year, the Mondeo wagon is a fantastic addition to the award-winning Mondeo line-up, offering performance, safety, load-carrying ability and plenty of European style to fill the niche between the Mondeo hatch and the Falcon wagon," Ford Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela said.

"Mondeo has always been acclaimed for its strong attributes, particularly its driving dynamics, safety performance and interior package. With the new range we've taken these qualities a step further, adding advanced vehicle technologies and improving standard equipment levels to deliver an unmatched mid-size package."

Mondeo wagon is powered by a 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine, which produces 118 kW of power and 208 Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift.

It offers a comprehensive safety package, as per the Mondeo hatch, which has earned a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP. The package comprises an enhanced Intelligent Protection System (IPS) complemented by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), automatic hazard warning lights activation and seven airbags, including side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.



Mondeo Safety Package


An impressive load carrying space is a key feature of the new wagon, providing a luggage capacity of 542 litres ISO (1005 litres SAE) with the rear passenger seats in the upright position, increasing to a capacious 1733 litres ISO (2163 litres SAE) with the rear passenger seats folded flat.


Mondeo Wagon

Mondeo LX

With the introduction of the MB Mondeo range, the Mondeo LX is now available in hatch and wagon bodystyles, while the sedan bodystyle has been discontinued.

Standard LX specification already extends to air conditioning, front power windows, an eight speaker CD audio system with auxiliary input for MP3 players, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, heated power mirrors, Ford Easy Fuel® capless refuelling and 'follow me home' lighting.

New equipment and features for Mondeo LX includes the advanced Bluetooth® hands-free with Voice Control system, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Voice Control system

The Mondeo is the only car in its class to offer voice control technology, which is now standard across the entire range.

The voice control system extends beyond synchronisation of a compatible mobile phone with key vehicle systems, to also include audio and climate control system functionality – the latter on Zetec specification level and above.


HMI with Voice Control

Whenever the driver activates the system and issues one of the defined commands, the voice recognition system converts the command into a control signal for one of the following vehicle functions – Bluetooth® phone, radio, CD player, external device (USB/iPod®) and automatic climate control.

Mondeo Zetec

The Mondeo Zetec's extensive list of standard equipment carries over from the previous model and includes key features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, a premium Sony audio system with six-disc CD player, automatic headlights, fog lamps, rain sensing wipers, Park Assist (front and rear parking sensors), power height adjustment for the driver's seat, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.



For the new model, Zetec specification has been upgraded to also include a USB input for USB/MP3 player integration and full iPod compatibility with the audio system, and the high-series Human Machine Interface (HMI) with Ford Convers+ premium colour instrument cluster display (previously only available on the XR5 Turbo).

There is also a new 'Daphne' seat trim fabric for the interior, while a chrome belt liner has been added to further improve exterior appeal.

The Zetec also gains the advanced Bluetooth® hands-free with Voice Control system as standard equipment, as per the LX model.

Mondeo Titanium

An all-new, high-series, Mondeo Titanium model line will be available with the 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine or the optional 2.0-litre Duratorq turbo diesel engine.

Positioned between the Zetec and XR5 Turbo models, Mondeo Titanium offers the perfect blend of sporty looks and premium luxury features.

A sports body kit – featuring a front and rear bumper skirt, side skirts, distinctive upper and lower grilles and a fog lamp kit – along with sports suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels, gives the Titanium an unmistakeable presence on the road.


Mondeo Titanium


On the inside there is Alcantara/leather seat trim along with variable heated front seats, a power sunroof with tilt/slide functionality, a keyless start system with 'Ford Power' starter button, Bluetooth® with Voice Control and B-pillar mounted air ducts for the rear passenger compartment.

New features and technology introduced with MB Mondeo that are standard on Titanium include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) and Collision Mitigation, and Dynamic Headlights with swivelling low beam headlights and static cornering lights, both of which are a first for a Ford vehicle in Australia.

Ford's 'Smart Key' key-free entry system is also a new addition to the Titanium's wide-ranging list of standard equipment.


Mondeo Titanium Interior


Mondeo XR5 Turbo

The top-of-the-range, performance XR5 Turbo model has also been upgraded, picking up all the new high-tech features such as ACC, Ford's 'Smart Key' key-free entry system, Bluetooth® with Voice Control and a power sunroof with tilt/slide functionality.

New features unique to XR5 Turbo include 18-inch alloy wheels in a new, aggressive five-spoke sports design with a 'Mystique' silver finish, bi-xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with static cornering lights and dual chrome exhaust outlets with a straight finish. On the inside there is new contrasting red stitching for the Alcantara/leather seat trim.





Active driver assistance

A number of significant new safety technologies, which provide new levels of driver control and accident avoidance, are available on high-series models in the MB Mondeo range.

In addition to the standard ABS with EBD and DSC with EBA, Ford has also introduced a host of available technologies that may significantly improve safety, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Forward Alert (FA) audio and visual collision warning system and collision mitigation by braking
• Highly developed, advanced front lighting systems – in both halogen and bi-xenon configurations

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is an improved cruise control system that helps to maintain a pre-set cruising speed, as well as combat driver fatigue and improve driving comfort.



Adaptive Cruise Control

When the system senses a moving vehicle within a preset distance ahead, ACC automatically decelerates to keep this preset distance, and then accelerates back to cruising speed once the road is clear again.

The driver has full control of the system at all times and selects the preset distance according to personal preference, traffic flow and road conditions. Ford's ACC system operates as an advanced driver assistance system with the following stages of operation:

• Free-cruising Mode: a clear road without moving obstacles ahead means no system interference, no warning signals. ACC operates like a typical cruise control system, keeping the car's speed constant as determined by the preset selection of the driver.
• Distance-Keeping Mode: the gap to vehicles ahead becomes shorter, as detected by radar sensor. ACC releases the throttle to allow speed modulation. Then, the ACC controlled car will be following at a constant time gap (or distance at a specific speed). This includes the acceleration up to the set cruise speed and deceleration up to a maximum level of around 2.4m/s² which is a convoy-typical change of speed.

(Note: the highest possible deceleration as performed by the driver in a panic braking manoeuvre is about three times higher, at the level of approximately 10 m/s².)

In developing the two operational steps of the ACC system, Ford's engineers aimed to provide advanced driver assistance rather than remove responsibility for vehicle control from the driver. The system is effectively an adaptive cruise control, not an auto-pilot.

Ford engineers point out that the systems are driver aids and in no way should the driver behave in a way that is less responsible or alert as a consequence of having these driver assistance features.

In addition to setting the cruise speed, the driver also controls five alternative time gap settings, ranging from one to three seconds. The speed and time gap settings enable the driver to make their selections according to their own preferences, leaving them fully in control.

The introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control on Mondeo is the first Australian application of the technology for a model in the mainstream Medium car segment, further enhancing Mondeo's already strong safety credentials and its established reputation for delivering the latest in technological advancements.

Forward Alert and Collision Mitigation

The ACC Forward Alert (FA) system offers audible and visual warnings in driving situations that may lead to a collision with a vehicle ahead.

The warning levels can be adjusted as three steps – early, normal and late – by the driver, who also has the choice to turn off the audio and visual warnings.

The Collision Mitigation by Braking function works permanently in the background and is independent of any audio or visual warnings set by the driver. The function prepares the brake system for immediate action when the occurrence of a collision becomes obvious.

Once the risk of imminent collision is detected the brake support begins to engage. This brake system pre-charge enables quicker response when the driver presses the brake pedal.

Additionally, the sensitivity of the Emergency Brake Assist is increased, which helps trigger full braking earlier. It is important for drivers to recognise that, although this function can alleviate the impact of an accident, it cannot in its own right avoid a collision.

Advanced front lighting systems – halogen & bi-xenon

In addition to the automatic headlights feature already offered on Mondeo Zetec, Titanium and XR5 Turbo models – which, once enabled, will automatically turn on the headlights/tail lamps when a light sensor detects a decrease in daylight, as well as turn the lights off once there is enough daylight to drive without lamps – the new Titanium model also introduces Dynamic Headlights with swivelling low beam headlights and static cornering lights.

Dynamic Headlights use halogen lights that swivel – with up to 15 degrees of movement – depending on the steering input by the driver. This system is proven to provide better visibility when negotiating bends, particularly on roads where the only light source is the car's headlamps.


Dynamic Headlights


For sharp corners an additional H1 static cornering light source illuminates. The safety advantage is clear; pedestrians at the roadside, animals or objects on the road can be seen at an earlier stage when entering the curve or manoeuvring in car parks.

Static cornering lights are automatically turned on when the car is travelling below 70km/h and the steering wheel turns at an angle of at least 30 degrees. This helps to avoid accidents in times of reduced visibility and particularly increases the safety of all other types of road users.

In direct comparison tests on a particular bend between conventional halogen reflector lamps and the Dynamic Headlights (DH) system, the DH lamps cast light an additional 20 metres into the bend.

The DH lamps also have special blue filters that illuminate when the sidelights are switched on – while they are not designed to cast light, they contribute a stylish touch and increase the ability of other road users to see the car whilst driving in reduced visibility.

The XR5 Turbo introduces bi-xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, which are fitted as standard equipment, featuring fixed xenon headlights, automatic headlight levelling and static cornering lights.

Bi-xenon HID headlights produce a much brighter light than conventional halogen lamps, offering twice the light density on the road at one-third of the energy input of conventional lights.

'Smart Key' keyless entry

Available for the first time on MB Mondeo, the keyless entry system goes one step further than the keyless start function already available on Mondeo XR5 Turbo.

With the keyless entry system, the driver is equipped with a 'fob' similar in size and shape to a conventional key fob, which is required to be carried by the driver in order to operate the keyless entry and keyless start functions.

A conventional mechanical key is no longer needed to unlock the car; instead, the car employs three external antennae to detect the presence of the fob within a small boundary around the car's body. The keyholder simply pulls a door handle to gain entry to the cabin or the touchpad on the tailgate to access the rear load area.

No more than 200 milliseconds elapse between the handle being operated and access being gained. In this period, a complex radio frequency dialogue takes place between the fob, external antennae and electronic modules for the handle to operate and access to be granted.

On leaving the car a small button on the exterior of either front door handle is pressed to lock the car. There is an additional button on the rear of the vehicle that forms part of the release handle. To supplement the central locking and keyless entry systems, a perimeter alarm is also fitted.

New MB Mondeo line-up

A revised line-up for MB Mondeo comprises hatch and wagon variants in LX and Zetec specification levels, while Titanium and XR5 Turbo are available exclusively in hatchback form.

The existing TDCi nomenclature will be expanded for MB Mondeo to become Zetec TDCi and Titanium TDCi, providing clearer communication of the matching equipment and feature levels of the respective Zetec/Titanium model lines, regardless of whether the standard 2.3-litre petrol or optional 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine is specified.




Source Ford Media

[ian b]

There should at least be a Titanium spec wagon, crazy decision not to give the option of a high spec version.

[Mick K.]

No diesel wagon? Or is this coming later?

[RicOz]

No diesel wagon yet, which is a shame because they will lose out on a lot of commercial sales.

[Laminge]

Originally Posted by Mick K.

No diesel wagon? Or is this coming later?

There is a wagon on the cards, one of which may make it to my driveway if i can wait


Brilliant car the Mondeo, with more gadgets than a trade show stand at sexpo! not to mention leg room which outdoes the terriotry!

[TEX the MEX]

I spoke to a salesman at my local ford dealer yesterday, and was told that the diesel wagon will be arriving late in the year, and should be in dealers by january.

[HSE2]

The feature list of this car puts the Falcon to shame, especially in G6E guise.

By the looks of it there are still features on the UK version we miss out on too.

Not lacking in the technology stakes that’s for sure.

[Lord Viykor]

I looked at the new XR5 today, I love the red stitching and interior changes. The wheels look pretty good in the flesh as well.

[fromBAonwards]

beautiful looking car, but very heavy, slow and a front wheel drive. Its high tech, but still beaten by an old EA 3.9MPFI for performance. IMO

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by fromBAonwards

beautiful looking car, but very heavy, slow and a front wheel drive. Its high tech, but still beaten by an old EA 3.9MPFI for performance. IMO

I'd suggest that you reserve judgement until you've driven one. Car technology has moved on a long way from the EA.