2013 Ford Mondeo: Paris 2012

Ford has given the new Mondeo its first public outing at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and it looks a good effort.

But the new 2013 Ford Mondeo no longer has the advantage of being a default buy for families, so Ford are working hard to make the Mondeo stand out from the mainstream offerings in the C/D segment by making it appear to more ‘Premium’ than just a mere Ford.

That means a new nose – a nose that looks like it belongs on an Aston Martin – and a clever range of technology and engines that actually offer more – and for less – than most of the premium car makers can manage.

The clever tech stuff includes MyFord Touch, a Wi-Fi hotspot that can handle up to five devices, Advanced Active Park Assist, Massage Seats, full LED headlights and an upmarket interior to match its Aston Martin-esque exterior, with a power tailgate and a retractable panoramic roof for the new Mondeo Estate.

Under the skin perhaps the most interesting news is the option of Ford’s new 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine, an engine that works so well in the Focus and promises more than passable performance, economy and emissions in the new Mondeo.

Ford is also offering a range of engine options in the new Mondeo including 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre EcoBoost engines, a 2.0 litre diesel, a 2.0 litre petrol hybrid with a 35kW lithium-ion battery and an ECOnetic Mondeo powered by  a 1.6 litre diesel engine.

The new Mondeo also has a new chassis with a new integral link suspension that Ford say will improve ride comfort and reduce cabin noises, especially for rear passengers’ and electronic power steering  optimised for handling and driving dynamics.

All in all, the 2013 Ford Mondeo looks promising, has a great range of powertrains and options, comes as a hatch, saloon and estate and will cost you a lot less than a comparable BMW or Audi when it finally arrives in Ford showrooms towards the end of 2013.

Will all the promise be enough to usurp car buyers’ penchant for a 3 Series instead of a Mondeo? Sadly, probably not.

2013 Ford Mondeo Photos >>

By Cars UK