Ford's next generation Mondeo is about to get more economical, more technologically advanced and more sharply styled than ever if the new Fusion is any indication. The Fusion is Ford's 'mid-sized' model in the USA and Ford of Europe admits that the car, revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today (January 9), 'signals' its new Mondeo.
That new Ford Mondeo is due in Ireland in the first quarter of 2013, and thanks to Ford's world car ambitions the European model will borrow heavily from the American version. Based on a new platform Ford promises the car will retain the enjoyable driving character of the current car.
US market models will be offered in petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, though Ireland's range will be based heavily around turbodiesel engines. On demand auxiliaries, regenerative technology and stop-start will maximise economy, while advanced safety equipment like lane keeping, driver drowsiness monitoring, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control will all be offered. Body strength increases of 10%, standard dual-knee airbags and 180 crash tests ensures the car will pass worldwide safety standards for crash and pedestrian protection.
Info and entertainment systems will offer voice control and multi integration of phones via Bluetooth and USB connection, in what Ford promises will be a higher quality, soft-touch interior. Refinement will be improved too, with acoustic under-body shields and active noise control on Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi models.
Differences between the US Fusion and Irish Mondeo will be slight, the styling likely to remain largely identical, with only differences to the powertrains and some region-specific chassis tuning likely. If your company car needs changing in 2013, you could do a lot worse...