Mondeo third time lucky

Featuring the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo unit from the XR5 Focus, the new Mondeo XR5 underscores just how seriously Ford is taking its third attempt to launch a Mondeo in Australia.

Previous attempts suffered from the cars being ageing models and an apparent lack of interest from the Blue Oval's marketing division.

This effort, Ford says, is the real deal.

“Mondeo will introduce new levels of style, refinement and safety to the medium size segment and set a new benchmark for how a car should drive,” says Ford Australia president Tom Gorman.

The new range is on show at the Australian International Motor Show, which started yesterday.

Boasting peak power of 162kW at 5000rpm and with maximum 320Nm of torque available from 1500rpm; all the way through to 4800rpm, the Mondeo XR5 is available only as a six-speed manual at $41,990.

The Mondeo range includes petrol and diesel in two body styles, four-door and five-door hatch, and starts with the LX six-speed automatic at $29,990. Mondeo is the first production iteration of Ford's 'kinetic design' philosophy displayed on various concept cars.

“The best way to describe kinetic design is to think about a sprinter at the starting blocks, tilting forward and poised for action; it's all about creating an athletic and purposeful stance,” Gorman says.

From the base LX the Mondeo's safety package includes dynamic stability control, seven airbags including driver's knee bag, ABS, emergency brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.