First look: New Mondeo gives Falcon tip-off

THE Ford Motor Co has taken the covers off its all-new Mondeo medium-sized car, which as well as being a contender for sale in Australia is a strong indication of what the next-generation Falcon will look like.

Making its world debut at the Paris motor show which opens this week, the new Mondeo borrows strong design elements from the Iosis concept car unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt motor show – the same car that Ford executives, including the Blue Oval’s chief designer J Mays, confirmed to GoAuto will use similar design DNA for the all-new Falcon due in March 2008.

Despite a resurgent medium-sized sector and a serious decline in large-car sales in Australia, Ford Australia spokesperson Sinead McAlary said it was unlikely the Mondeo would be re-introduced to Australia as a mid-size contender – but did not rule it out.

"We’re very much of the belief of never say never," she said. "But that segment (mid-size) hasn’t changed a lot in terms of sales.

"The large-car segment has gone down but people aren’t going to medium – they’re going to small and light cars." When the Iosis was unveiled in Frankfurt last September, Mr Mays confirmed to GoAuto that the Falcon – codenamed Orion – would borrow Iosis cues, including its dramatic front-end treatment.

"What we’re looking at right now is that Ford of Europe and Ford Asia-Pacific are working a lot more closely together right now, as to a certain extent they are with Ford of America," Mr Mays said. "And we’re all sharing lessons learned about future design DNA.

"Will this (Iosis) be a direct reflection on what the Falcon looks like? No. But there are elements of this that you would find in the front end of the vehicle and certain aspects of it." Ford described the Iosis as a "saloon that thinks it’s a coupe" and it is clear the production Mondeo follows the same theme, sharing the rising shoulder line, strongly defined grille and headlights, and bulging wheel-arches.

Ford of Europe showed photographs of the wagon version of the Mondeo late last week, keeping its powder dry for the sedan and hatch versions – which might still be shown when the curtains rise at the Paris event on September 28.

Roomier, safer and offering a more upmarket ambience than the current model, the all-new Mondeo goes on sale in Europe early next year and shares much with the S-MAX and Galaxy people-movers, including the production line at Ford’s Genk plant in Belgium.

It completes a $1.5 billion investment that has modernised the Genk plant and transformed it into a world-class, flexible manufacturing facility. Genk also plays an increasingly important role in the global Ford business, with Mondeo exports likely to South-East Asia.

Ford will offer a range of body styles and performance variants for Mondeo, but it chose to preview the wagon first because of its importance in the European market.

"The wagon body style is very important in the C/D segment so it is appropriate that we show this derivative in Paris first," Ford of Europe’s design director Martin Smith said. "The new Mondeo’s wagon body style really emphasises the sporty, dynamic and premium appearance of the new range. Above all, we’ve managed to achieve this ‘kinetic’ look without compromising luggage capacity." This "kinetic design" refers to the car’s dynamically strong three-pane front-end treatment, strong shoulder line, bold wheel arches and distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar.

Inside, the car gains better trim and new entertainment systems, plus the next generation of Ford’s Human Machine Interface (HMI). Rear-seat headroom and legroom have also been improved.

Several engines will be available at launch, including Ford’s Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and a high-performance 2.5-litre turbocharged Duratec petrol engine derived from that fitted to the new S-MAX, to efficient 1.6-litre Duratec petrol and 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.

"The new Mondeo wagon we are previewing at Paris is aimed at preparing our customers for the most exciting and high quality Ford C/D car we have ever delivered," Ford of Europe’s vice-president of product development Joe Bakaj said.

"The finer technical details will be kept secret for a few more months, but we believe that the Paris show car’s dynamic and kinetic exterior design and stylish, spacious new interior will give a clear indication of how different the new Mondeo range will be." And Falcon? Watch this space.