Ford 1.5 EcoBoost petrol impresses in New Mondeo

New Mondeo Wagon

Ford are targeting premium competitors with their all-new Mondeo which shifts up quite a few gears in terms of driving dynamics, technology, refinement and design over the previous model, writes Trish Whelan.

New Mondeo arrives in Ford dealerships in November with prices starting from €28,995. It will be offered in two body styles, a five-door and a wagon variant. The car will initially be offered in two series, Zetec and Titanium.

There is a premium look and feel to this latest model which Ford Ireland say is the 'most spacious and the best driving Mondeo yet'.

Having first driven the 2.0 diesel 5-door version earlier this week from Malaga airport to our overnight destination deep in the surrounding countryside, yesterday morning it was time to drive the wagon version powered by the 1.5 EcoBoost 160hp petrol engine for the trip back to the airport. The wagon looked resplendent with a Deep Impact Blue exterior and 18-inch alloy wheels.

We were struck once again by the spaciousness of the interior which takes five adults with ease while their luggage is stored away in what is a very substantial boot - the power tailgate in the wagon has a neat soft-close function. But apart from the big boot, it was the 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine that was the star performer.

It surprised with its performance and refinement, so quiet it was almost silent.

While it didn't have the torque of the 2.0 diesel, matched to the slick 6-speed manual transmission it offered precise handling and really good ride quality, no matter the road type. The balance of the whole car was really good between steering, power, handling and comfort.

There was no wobble in the steering going into all those bad bends we encountered especially descending from the mountains over Malaga; the car always just followed the line beautifully along all our routes. On those twisty roads, the rear end proved very stable due in no small way to a new Integrated Rear Suspension system, similar to that found in more premium models such as the Audi A6. The steering weight and directness adapts to match the chassis settings of 'comfort', 'normal' and 'sport'.

Integrated Rear Suspension System

New Mondeo also brings to the volume market technology only seen in premium brands. Onboard technology also included the latest version of Ford's SYNC connectivity system with advanced voice control and an 8-inch colour touchscreen with voice control and heated front windscreen, heated steering wheel which we didn't need in the warm weather, heated rear seats, and roof rails. Thankfully, it had satellite navigation which is always needed when driving abroad to get to our designated coffee and lunch stops, and later our overnight hotel located in the countryside outside Malaga.

Rear Integrated Seatbelt

Ford are very proud of their Industry-first Inflatable Rear Seatbelts which make their European debut in the new Mondeo. In an impact, the belts rapidly expand to disperse crash forces across a body area five times greater than that achieved by a conventional seatbelt, significantly lessening injuries. The belt works using two gas generators under the seat. The cost is €200 for both outer rear seat belts which Ford say is very reasonable for such a safety feature. They expect families will opt to have them to protect their loved ones.

Other features include Ford's Active City Stop collision avoidance system, and a Lane Keeping Aid with blind spot information system as well as Electronic Stability Control with Adaptive Cruise Control,and LED front headlamps. The pre-collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection feature makes its global debut in the New Mondeo. It could help reduce the severity of accidents or help drivers avoid them altogether. The car also had Active Park Assist with Perpendicular parking and Pull Out Assist, a rear view camera, keyless entry and start.

MyKey technology can be programmed to restrict speed and audio volume and even disable the system altogether if the driver and passenger aren't using safety belts - this MyKey programme is usually aimed by owners at younger drivers in the family.

Mondeo has built up quite a fan base in Ireland since its arrival over 20 years ago and Ford Ireland expect to sell 3,000 New Mondeos here next year.

Pictured at the international launch of the New Mondeo in Malaga this week are: Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland; and Ciaran McMahon, Sales Director, Ford Ireland.