Ford Mondeo

Ford Mondeo
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford Contour(North America, 1994–2000) Mercury Mystique (North America, 1994–2000) Ford Fusion(Americas except Argentina, 2012–2020) Ford Taurus(Middle East, 2022–present)
Production	1992– March 2022 1992–present (China, Middle East)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size/large family car(D) (1992–2022) Full-size car(E) (2022–present)
Body style	4-doorsedan 5-doorliftback 5-doorestate
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive(1993–present) Front-engine, all-wheel-drive(1993–2000, 2007–2022)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Sierra/Ford Scorpio(Europe) Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz(North America) Ford Telstar(Asia and Australia)

TheFord Mondeois a car manufactured byFordsince 1993. The first Ford model declared as a "world car",the Mondeo was intended to consolidate several Ford model lines worldwide (the EuropeanSierra,theTelstarin Asia and Australia, and theTempo/Mercury Topazin North America). The Mondeo nameplate is derived from theLatinwordmundus,meaning "world".For its first two generations, the Mondeo was produced using the CDW27 platform, with the third-generation model shifting to the EUCD platform. The fourth-generation models use the CD4 platform, and the fifth-generation use the C2 platform.

Due to declining sales and a growing trend towardscrossover SUVsover saloons and estates, Ford announced in March 2021 that it will discontinue the production of the Mondeo in Europe and Argentina with no direct successor.Production of the Mondeo ended in Europe in March 2022.

First generation (1992)

Main article:Ford Mondeo (first generation)

First-generation Mondeo

The first-generation Mondeo was introduced in November 1992, with sales beginning in March 1993.Intended as aworld car,the first-generation Mondeo was significant as its design and marketing were shared between Ford USA inDearbornand Ford of Europe.It replaced theFord Sierrain Europe, theFord Telstarin a large portion of Asia and other markets, while it is also sold as theFord ContourandMercury Mystiquein North America to replace theFord TempoandMercury Topaz.Unlike the Sierra, the Mondeo isfront-wheel drivein its most common form, with a rarerfour-wheel driveversion available on the Mk I car only. Despite being billed as a world car, the only external items the Mondeo shared initially with the Contour built inKansas City AssemblyinClaycomo, Missouri,andCuautitlán Assemblywere the windscreen, front windows, front mirrors and door handles. Three body styles were available, which are saloon, liftback, and estate.

The mid-cycle facelift was launched in October 1996 leaving only the doors, the roof, and the rear quarter panels on the estate the same as the original model. The extensive redesign in 1996 was known as the Mondeo Mk II.

Second generation (2000)

Main article:Ford Mondeo (second generation)

Second-generation Mondeo

The second-generation Mondeo was introduced in October 2000. This Mondeo was considerably larger than its predecessor, while the basic chassis and suspension design was carried over from the previous generation along with theCDW27 platform.Following the standard setting interior of theVolkswagen Passat (B5)in 1996, Ford paid a great deal of attention to the second generation Mondeo's interior and was the first major American manufacturer to react to the new standard set by Volkswagen. Ford abandoned itsNew Edgedesign theme for the second generation, opting to take the Prodigy concept car as a design reference. Ford dispensed with the rounded American style interior of the first generation, and developed a more sober 'Germanic' design. Saloon, liftback, and estate body styles were available.

This Mondeo came to Mexico, replacing the North American builtFord Contour,and was sold from 2001 to 2007, when theFord Fusionreplaced it. The second generation Mondeo was never sold inAustralia,asFord Australiaargued that the segment of the market was in decline.

Third generation (2006)

Main article:Ford Mondeo (third generation)

Third-generation Mondeo

The third-generation Mondeo was introduced in late 2006. Based on theEUCD platformdeveloped withVolvo,the platform was the same as that used in the newlarge MPVsGalaxyandS-MAX.Its design theme was firstshown as theFord Iosisconcept at the 2005Frankfurt Motor Show,which gave an indication to the look of the Mk IV Mondeo. The new car, in estate bodystyle, was pre-launched in 'concept' form at theParis Motor Showin September 2006.

As with the previous model, the Mk IV Mondeo was not marketed in the United States or Canada because Ford sold the same-classFusion,which was launched in 2005. The 2007 Mondeo marked the return to the Australian market after a six-year absence, due to a resurgence in popularity of medium-sized cars in the last few years.

In September 2010, a mid-cycle facelifted Mk IV Mondeo was introduced with some changes, such as the new EcoBoost engines and LED daytime running lights. The front and rear of the car had minor changes, the biggest being the new design theme dubbed as the Kinetic Design. The interior was improved, with a use of better materials.

Fourth generation (2012)

Main articles:Ford Mondeo (fourth generation)andFord Fusion (second generation)

Fourth-generation Mondeo

The fourth-generation Mondeo was unveiled byFordat the2012 North American International Auto ShowinDetroit,Michigan.Due to the merge of both models, the vehicle is sold as theFusionin the Americas. With a design team based in Detroit for the planning and global launch phase,the new model takes many styling cues from the previous generation Ford Mondeo, and previous generation American Ford Fusion. Like the newest redesigns of theFocusandFiestabefore it, the new Mondeo is set on a global platform shared with the now-identicalFusionsold in North America.

The range does not includefive-orsix-cylinderengines, and on launch had a complete range ofFord EcoBoost engines.

Ford ceased production of the Mondeo at their Valencia Plant in March 2022 as Mondeo sales dwindled with buyers preferringcrossoversandSUVs.

Fifth generation (2022)

Main article:Ford Mondeo (fifth generation)

Fifth-generation Mondeo

The fifth-generation Mondeo saloon was released in China in January 2022. Ford confirmed that the model would not be marketed in Europe and North America.It is marketed in the Middle East as theFord Taurus.

Motorsport

Will Hoydriving for Ford Mondeo Racing in the1998 British Touring Car Championship

Ford Mondeo as driven byAlain MenuforFord Team Mondeoin the2000 British Touring Car Championship

The Mondeo competed in theBritish Touring Car Championship(BTCC) between 1993 and 2000. The cars, prepared by former series championAndy Rouse,did not enter the1993 seasonuntil the eighth round, atPembrey,in Wales. Rouse andPaul Radisichwere the drivers in the Mondeo's first season. Radisich went on to win theFIA World Touring Car Cupin both 1993 and 1994 driving a Mondeo.

Ford ran a factory-sponsored team, called Ford Team Mondeo, for eight seasons.Andy Rouse Engineeringran the cars from 1993 to 1995, whenWest Surrey Racingran the works team from 1996 to 1998, withProdrivetaking over beginning 1999.

In 2000, the team expanded from two cars to three when driversAlain MenuandAnthony Reidwere joined by 1998 series championRickard Rydell,recruited from the disbandedVolvoteam. The team dominated the season of2000,finishing 1–2–3 (Menu–Reid–Rydell) in the drivers' standings and winning the manufacturers' championship by 104 points.

A complete overhaul of the BTCC following the season of 2000 had theSuper Touringregulations scrapped as the series moved towards less expensive, but slower race cars. Ford withdrew from BTCC competition prior to 2001.

The touring cars, after their withdrawal, went on sale to the public and are now in the hands of other drivers. Two of the 2000 series Mondeos have been spotted in the BRSCC series of LMA Euro saloons; drivers known to own them at present are Bernard Hogarth and Alvin Powell.

The Mk I and Mk II Mondeo have followed many other previous Ford models into the world ofbanger racingin the United Kingdom, and with plenty of older cars being available for very little money, the Mondeo is now a popular and relatively easy car to race. The Zetec engines are converted to run off a carb set upand the Mondeo bodyshell is fairly tough, but they are proving rather rigid, with many drivers getting injured in high-speed impacts. Mondeos are proving more popular than the Sierra and Mk III Granada.

In Argentina, the Mondeo is one of several cars to compete in the localTop Raceracing category; its body is handcrafted in reinforced fiberglass. The Mondeo is so far the most successful car in the category, with three championship titles in the TRV6 class and two championship titles in the Top Race series (formerly Top Race Junior).

The winning drivers in the TRV6 class were Omar Martínez (2006), José María López (2009), and Guido Falaschi (Copa América 2010) with the Mondeo II (based on the MkIII Mondeo), and in the TR Junior category, the championship was won by Gonzalo Perlo in 2008 and Humberto Krujoski in 2010. In 2009, the Mondeo III (based on the MkIV Mondeo) bodystyle was approved and presented as an option within the category; however, the Mondeo II bodywork is still being used.

Similarly, in the United States, the Fusion/Mondeo Mk 5 bodywork began use for the sixth-generation body in theNASCARSprint Cup Seriesstarting in 2013, replacing the currentMazda6-based Fusion.

Awards

• 1993What Car?Car of the Year
• 1994Semperit Irish Car of the Year
• 1994European Car of the Year
• 1997 Top 10:Most Reliable Carsmade in Britain.
• 1998Best Selling Family Carin Britain.
• 2001What Car?Car of the Year
• 2001Top GearCar of The Year
• 2005 Awarded "Excellent"(Euro NCAP)
• 2006What Car?Best Used Family Car
• 2007Auto ExpressCar of the Year (Auto Expressquoted the Mondeo is: "Ford's finest ever car" )
• 2007Auto ExpressBest Family Car
• 2007Fifth Gear:Best Family Newcomer
• 2007Top GearCar of the Year (Joint COTY,Subaru Legacy Outback)
• 2007RACV:Best Mid Size Car Over $28,000
• 2007DriveCar of the Year: Best Medium Car
• 2008 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
• 2008What Car?Best Estate Car
• 2008What Car?Best Family Car
• 2008Motor Trend:Top 10 Car
• 2008Car and Driver:10 Best Car
• 2008Car News Magazine(Taiwan): Best Domestic Large Sedan
• 2008Sina:Best Driving Performance Car
• 2008DriveCar of the Year: Best Medium Car
• 2008The Caravan Club:Tow Car of the Year (Mondeo 2.5t Estate)
• 2008Auto ExpressBest Family Car
• 2009What Car?Best Estate Car
• 2009What Car?Best Family Car
• 2009New Zealand Automobile Association:Best Medium Car
• 2010DriveCar of the Year: Best Medium Car
• 2011What Car?Best Estate Car
• 2011What Car?Best Family Car
• 2012What Car?Best Estate Car
• 2012What Car?Best Family Car
• 2012Now Magazine:"Most Attractive Car for a Man To Drive"
• 2013What Car?Best Estate Car
• 2013What Car?Best Family Car
• 2016Continental Irish Car of the Year

Sales

Year	Europe	China
1997	322,716
1998	310,809
1999	227,167
2000	178,130
2001	286,794
2002	250,316
2003	199,370
2004	183,357	22,988
2005	165,303	40,664
2006	131,749	48,922
2007	148,818	32,062
2008	163,262	12
2009	117,565	0
2010	96,898	0
2011	86,471	0
2012	69,871	0
2013	50,180	35,747
2014	45,405	109,806
2015	79,673	120,202
2016	70,900	103,274
2017	56,173	112,158
2018	49,596	45,405
2019	39,555	17,642
2020	21,222	25,027
2021		33,302

See also

• Mondeo Man,stereotypical figure in the 1990s England

External links

• Ford Mondeo UK(archived)
• Ford Mondeo Australia(archived)
• Ford Mondeo Sport Club - biggest fan club at Taiwan