Ford Mondeo teaser concept

By Chris Chilton

First Official Pictures

22 September 2006 08:02

The lowdown

This is another one of those ‘concept’ cars that isn’t a concept car at all. According to Ford the Paris motor show star gives a glimpse of what we might expect from the next Mondeo, but they’re not fooling anyone: the sheetmetal is pure production new Mondeo. Premium: that’s the look and feel Ford wanted. So the new car is better looking, better built and safer too. The real production car makes its debut at the Geneva salon next March before landing in showroom that spring priced from £16,000.

Pretty bold isn’t it? Well, for a Mondeo anyway. It’s the first real example of Ford’s new design language, ‘kinetic’ design. The thinking is that recent Fords have all been great to drive but just haven’t managed to articulate that ability through their exterior design. The current Ford Focus is a case in point. So Ford phoned in SOS to Martin Smith, the man responsible for revitalising the Astra and, more recently, the Corsa. Smith joined Ford as design boss two years ago but the Mondeo is his first full project. Recognise the features? They’re straight from Smith’s Iosis concept car we first saw at Frankfurt this time last year but packaged in a slightly more sensible body. The twin trapezoidal front grilles, swept-back lights and kicked up waistline will all appear in future Ford models in some form or another. As will the taller, bluffer front end mandated by pedestrian impact rules that demand space between the bonnet and the engine. This one’s the estate – we’ll have to wait and see if ford gives it a poncy Avant-like tag – but the new Mondeo will come in four-door saloon and five-door hatch guises too. And just to stick it to the competition Ford will push all three body styles out at once.

By Chris Chilton