2013 Ford Mondeo – first photo, and it’s not the 2013 Fusion

First photo of the 2013 Ford Mondeo

The North American Ford Fusion has been revealed at Detroit, but we have the first photo of its European cousin – the 2013 Ford Mondeo.

We’ve covered the reveal of the 2013 Ford Fusion from the Detroit Auto Show and pointed out that, to all intents and purposes, the Fusion North America gets is pretty much the same car we’ll see as the 2013 Ford Mondeo.

But just so there’s no confusion, we’ve got the first photos of the 2013 Mondeo in pre-production guise, just so you can see how similar the Mondeo will be to the Fusion.

As far as we can see, the only real differences are the headlights and indicators and the trim on the back bumper. The shape is intact, as is the grill which could have come straight off the nose of an Aston Martin.

What we don’t yet know is whether Ford in Europe will be launching the 2013 Mondeo with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option. In the States the Fusion will get both options, so we guess it would make sense for Europe to follow suit, but that’s not confirmed.

What is certain is that the 2013 Mondeo will get what the Fusion is lacking – a selection of diesel engines. That will surely mean a choice of 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2 litre diesels in a variety of outputs, as well as a choice of Ecoboost petrol engines.

What we should also get is a 2013 Mondeo Estate, and we’re hoping that Ford will see fit to offer the high-end Mondeos in Europe with a 4WD option, as they are with the Fusion in the US. A decent spec 2013 Mondeo with 4WD would be an appealing prospect.

We’re expecting to see the 2013 Ford Mondeo debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales starting at the beginning of 2013.

(2 photos – click any thumbnail for full size)

By Cars UK