Ford launches Mondeo hybrid here

Ford's first hybrid electric car is now on sale in Ireland, the Mondeo HEV, priced from €32,745, writes Trish Whelan.

Based on the 4-door saloon, the car has a 187hp 2.0 petrol engine with automatic transmission, and is available in both Titanium and Vignale grades.

Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, expects that 20pc of next year's Mondeo sales will be hybrids. "It is the the first step in a progressive Electric Vehicle (EV) development plan for Ford that will see 13 new full or partial EVs hit the streets of Europe and North America by 2020," he says.

These will include a hybrid version of the iconic Mustang that will deliver V8 power with a 4-cylinder engine.

Ford says the Mondeo Hybrid is capable of driving at up to 135 km/h in electric mode and the official fuel consumption rate of 4.2 L/100km compares to that of a 2.0 diesel 150PS Powershift automatic transmission that would deliver a fuel consumption rate of 4.8 L/100km.

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