Ford Mondeo Euro NCAP 4 Stars
Its hard to find anything to say about the Mondeo that
hasnt already been said. Possibly the UKs best known family car and synonymous to many with the company car driver, the Mondeo has been a class leader for many years.
Available in Hatchback, Saloon or Estate the Mondeo is spacious, comfortable and enjoyable to drive. A vast car that will comfortably seat five. With more models on offer than Playboy the Mondeo has something to suit anyone in the market for a sharp handling family car. All Mondeos come with air conditioning, a CD radio and four electric windows.
Within a five-door hatch, four-door saloon or estate, you can pick from nine engines. The petrol line-up consists of two 1.8-litre engines, a 2.0, and 2.5 and 3.0 V6s. There are three 2.0-litre diesels, a 153bhp 2.2 and range-topping ST TDCi. The 2.0 litre Duratec TDI
comes within VED band D and provides excellent fuel economy, capable of returning 48.7mpg combined and 61.4mpg extra urban.
With a minimum of 540 litres' boot space, and a maximum of 1700 litres up to roof height with the rear seats folded, the Mondeo is one of the most accommodating estates currently on the market.
Having last received a face lift in 2003 a new model (displayed at this years Geneva Motor Show) is due for release imminently. Sporting a stylish new look it incorporates several new innovations. Every model for example comes with Fords new Human Machine
Interface (HMI) system - a powerful, intuitive, digital command centre, operated by two toggles on the steering wheel it enables you to monitor and control key functions with your thumbs through toggle switches mounted on either side of the steering wheel.
The current Mondeo was awarded a 4 star safety rating, which although today puts it behind many of its rivals(a five star rating being top), when it was launched it was a market leader as no car had at that time achieved higher. Dont surprised if the new Mondeo gets a maximum rating following its launch early in 2007.
Every new Ford car sold is protected by a 3 year/60,000 miles Ford Protect Classic Plan Warranty. In addition, it will also come with Ford Assistance for 1 year, providing roadside assistance in the UK and throughout Europe
About the manufacturer
Ford has been at the forefront of Alternative Fuel Vehicle research and technology for the past 40 years They market more vehicles that run on a wider range of alternative fuels (including Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, methanol, ethanol and electricity) than any other manufacturer.
As part of their environmental commitment, Ford have developed a complete vehicle recycling programme, encompassing design-for-recycling guidelines, increased use of recycled material, and reducing hazardous materials.
Since 2000 Ford have cut Co2 emissions at its plants and facilities by 15 percent and are targeting further reductions. At its main plant in Michigan they have built the world's largest ecologically inspired living roofabout 500,000 square feet!
Fords hybrid vehicles help save money, fuel and of course the environment. Ford does however accept that emissions are still released when hybrids are built. So, in 2007 they are going a step further by piloting a carbon offset program for hybrids. This program will fund clean-energy projects, such as wind energy, to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount required to build its hybrids.
Ford Motor Company's Onboard Reductant Delivery system received an R&D 100 Award (an Oscar for Inventions" - from R&D Magazine) which recognizes the top new inventions in the US. Past winners include such items as the ATM, anti-lock braking systems, and the fax machine. The ORD system enables exhaust treatment systems to help meet stringent future diesel
emissions standards worldwide, including European Stage IV and V limits for smog-forming emissions. The ORD system can be easily retrofitted onto existing diesel vehicles for approximately one-tenth of the cost of existing retrofit systems.
Ford is investing billions to develop technologies to reduce Co2 emissions from new cars and trucks. It is also committed, amongst other things, to recycling more vehicle components, using more green materials and effectively managing waste to benefit the planet. However it doesnt stop there the company also supports a number of indirect initiatives;
The Wildlife Habitat Council and Ford Motor Company have created "Wildlife at Work" at Ford facilities in the US, England, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico, which encourages communities to create wildlife sites and educational programs on the importance of preserving endangered species.
Conservation International is a field-based, non-profit
organization that protects those spectacular areas in which life is most abundant, and helps the people who live there improve their quality of life. Ford has committed over $5 million to CI's conservation efforts in Mexico and Brazil.
Through its Greener Miles Program Ford have developed a partnership with TerraPass, under which you can calculate the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits, then purchase a TerraPass that funds projects to reduce CO2 emissions elsewhere by the same amount. Know as Carbon offsets these projects include
development of cleaner renewable energy sources such as wind energy or making power from dairy farm manure.