KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — After months of teasers and road shows, Ford officially welcomes the sleek and sophisticated new Mondeo into its showrooms nationwide. Priced at RM198,000 (on-the-road without insurance) in Peninsular Malaysia, the new Mondeo, available in four stylish colours , ups the ante in terms of Tech features for the D-Segment. In comparison to the previous generation Mondeo, this new model is a quantum leap in terms of looks and stylshness.
“The new Mondeo delivers a first-class driving experience, with sophisticated features that enhance performance, comfort and convenience,” said Veemala Rethinasamy, sales and marketing director, Malaysia, Ford Motor Company.
Ever since Ford relinquished its ownership of the Volvo brand to its new owners, we note that the technology, in particular Active and Passive Safety, that used to be found in Volvo cars is finding its way into Ford, and it doesn’t take much to realize that Ford models will be taking over where the Volvo brand left off.
The new Mondeo is powered by Ford’s 2.0L EcoBoost engine, carried over from its predecessor, and again we see the link with the Volvo engine range here. The four-cylinder engine delivers, not surprisingly, an impressive 240 PS and 345 Nm of torque. The combination of turbocharging, direct fuel injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) in the EcoBoost engine delivers exceptional fuel economy of 8 l/100km, offering a combination of power and fuel efficiency.
Note though, that one can only choose one of the above at any time, either to drive it normally and enjoy the fuel economy, or put pedal to metal and enjoy the power, but suffer a little on the economy — a reasonable arrangement for the likes of me, because I have a choice.
The engine is mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which replaces the previous model’s Getrag dual clutch unit, and drives the front wheels. The new Mondeo gets a set of paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, providing the additional flexibility of allowing the driver finger-tip control of the gears.
The new Mondeo features a number of smart technologies, including Ford’s exclusive MyKey system which allows the programming of various features, such as setting the maximum speed limit, a seatbelt reminder and the maximum volume of the audio system.
This feature is useful for parents to restrict the functions of the vehicle when driven unsupervised by their children.
Onboard connectivity is provided by Ford’s latest-generation SYNC 2 infotainment system consisting of an eight-inch colour touchscreen and voice command system to operate the vehicle’s audio, climate control, and even mobile devices paired by the user. This system enables drivers of the Mondeo to stay connected without diverting too much of their attention from driving.
Further application of advanced technology the new Mondeo extends to its lighting, which combines full-LED headlamps with Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System to enhance the driver’s view of their surroundings. Depending on the vehicle’s speed, steering angle and distance to an object in front, this system improves visibility by assessing the ambient light surrounding the vehicle.
Safety is comprehensive in the new Mondeo, which is rated five stars Euro NCAP. Amongst its array of smart active safety features are adaptive cruise control, which scans traffic conditions ahead 20 times per second and automatically adjusts vehicle speed to match. Preventing inadvertent drifting across lanes is Ford’s Lane Keeping Aid, which monitors road markings and alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel. If lane departure continues, this advanced system will direct the driver back into the correct lane by applying steering torque unless the indicator is switched on. Reverse camera is another commendable standard feature.
The new Mondeo comes with Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP) to provide added peace of mind to customers. The Ford ESP is a three-year or 60,000km maintenance programme that covers parts and labour free of charge. In addition to routine inspection and maintenance services, Ford’s ESP covers free replacements for selected wear-and-tear items, including spark plugs, shock absorbers, engine belts, brake pads and wiper blades.
