Car Moon

Since its introduction in late 2010, Ford’s new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine has proven to be a hit with European consumers having sold more than 50,000 units. The engine, which is manufactured in Ford’s UK Bridgend plant, is available in six different models (Focus, Mondeo, C-MAX, Grand C-MAX, S-MAX and Galaxy). The company attributes its success to its blend of performance, economy and low CO2 emissions. Read more »

As Ford gradually spreads out its new 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine to more models across its international lineup, tuners are jumping in to offer their performance goods. And the easiest way to do this of course is by reprogramming the car’s engine controller. Superchips Ltd has developed a new firmware upgrade for the European version of the four-cylinder EcoBoost currently found on the refreshed S-Max and Galaxy minivans, as well as the Mondeo. Read more »

At this week's 2011 Brussels Motor Show in Belgium, Ford announced a series of powertrain enhancements that include the addition of Stop/Start technology for its European market Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models, together with the introduction of an all-new 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.

After the Mondeo, the revised S-Max and Galaxy MPV models are next in line to be offered with Ford's new 1.6-litre 160hp EcoBoost engine with European sales starting this month. The new 1.6-litre turbocharged unit is the smallest displacement engine that has ever been made available to the S-MAX and Galaxy models.

As part of the UK launch of the facelifted Mondeo, Ford released details on the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with 160 hp. The new turbocharged four-cylinder unit is not only 10% more powerful than the naturally aspirated 45 hp 2.0-liter variant it replaces, but also extends the driving range by an extra 100 miles or 160km returning 41.5 UK mpg on the combined cycle (34.5 US mpg or 6.81 lt/100 km).

In another sign of the growing importance of the Russian market, Ford chose the 2010 Moscow International Auto Show for the world premiere of its facelifted Mondeo series that rivals the likes of the Opel Insignia [Buick Regal in the States], Mazda6 and Citroen C5. Ford provided initial details and photos of the updated Mondeo back in June, but now we have the 'Full Monty' including a comprehensive image gallery with the first shots of the revised interior.

Ford's European division has slid the covers off the facelifted 2011 Mondeo ahead of its public premiere at the 2010 Moscow International Automobile Salon at the end of August. All three body styles of the Mondeo [four-door sedan, five-door liftback and estate] receive a subtle redesign, new range-topping turbocharged engines and additional features.

The design refresh up front includes new and slimmer upper grilles combined with a bolder trapezoid lower grille, restyled bonnet profile and new LED daytime running lights. At the back, Ford's designers reworked the tail lights that now employ LED technology while all body styles receive a new rear deck lid treatment.

For 2010, the Mondeo range benefits from the introduction of a new 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged gasoline engine and reworked 2.0-liter TDCi diesel units, as well as a new six-speed dual-clutch Powershift transmission.

With an output of 203HP and a maximum torque of 300Nm, the 2.0L EcoBoost allows the Mondeo to achieve 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration in 7.9sec (8.2sec for the estate) and reach a top speed of over 144mph (231km/h) for the four and five-door versions or 141mph for estates.

Following on its introduction on the facelifted S-MAX and Galaxy people carriers, Ford's European division is now expanding the availability of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine with turbocharging and direct fuel injection tech on the Mondeo.

The 2.0-litre SCTi unit, which comes as standard with a six-speed PowerShift wet double-clutch gearbox, produces 203 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.

In an ominous sign for the rest of the Falcon range, Ford Australia announced that the Falcon Wagon will be axed in June. Ironically, the announcement comes a few months before the company celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Australian Falcon that was launched onto the market in June of 1960.

Along with the Euro-spec 2011 Focus, the final versions of the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which go on sale in Europe this year and some updates to the optional equipment of the recently revealed S-MAX and Galaxy facelift, Ford will also unveil the 2010 model year Mondeo and Kuga with powetrain and transmission enhancements at the Geneva Show.

Ford didn't clarify in its press release if the new Kuga and Mondeo also benefit from any cosmetic changes of the same subtle nature as those on the S-MAX and Galaxy (the Mondeo pictured above is an '09MY), but here's what the company had to say about the upgrades under the hood.

Starting with the Mondeo, the firm's European competitor in the mid-size saloon and estate segment gains the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost SCTi gasoline engine with an output of 203HP and a new version of the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel with 163HP, while the 115HP and 140HP variants of the same diesel have been improved.

Ford is enhancing its European range with the release of a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, ECOnetic version of the Mondeo. Offered in five-door or estate form, the Mondeo ECOnetic is powered by an optimized 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with 115HP that is linked to a six-speed manual transmission. Other improvements over the standard Mondeos include low-rolling resistance tires and an optimum gear change indicator, plus aerodynamics-enhancing sports suspension, air deflectors and a rear spoiler.

What we have here is a new limited edition version of the Ford Mondeo Estate launched exclusively for the German market. Overall, Ford will offer 500 units of the Mondeo Sport Estate that can be equipped with three different engines, a 145HP 2.0-liter gasoline unit and two turbo diesels, the 140HP 2.0 Duratorq and the 175HP 2.2 Duratorq. What makes this version of the Mondeo special is the MS-Design front and rear bumper aluminum decors, the 17-inch alloy wheels, the tinted windows and the silver roof rails.

At the AMI Leipzig Motor Show in Germany that runs from March 28 to April 5, 2009, Ford will pull the covers off a new tri-fuel variant of the Mondeo capable of running on gasoline, bio-ethanol (E85) or any mix of these two, as well as on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Available in four-door sedan, five-door liftback and in station wagon forms, the tri-fuel Mondeo uses a 2.0-liter Duratec petrol engine and comes equipped with two gas tanks, one with a volume of 70-liters for petrol and E85 and one with 48.8 liters (40 for the Estate) for LPG.

The new Mondeo is the latest model in Ford’s European range to be offered with the company's vehicle personalization programme, ‘Ford Individual’. First shown as a design study at the 2007 Frankfurt Show and now revealed in production form at the Paris Show, the Mondeo Individual package focuses on enhancing the car’s interior styling but from spring 2009, it will be extended to include bespoke 18-inch, alloy wheels, with an iridescent ‘Mystique Silver’ paint finish designed to catch the sunlight. -Continued

Developed to complement exterior styling options for the Mondeo, the Individual programme consists of four bespoke themes tailor made for the Ghia and Titanium models. All four colour themes feature heated eight-way power front seats with an adjustable lumbar support, wrapped in high quality nappa and grained leather with ‘hand-stitching’ and embossed with the ‘Individual’ signature. The full leather trim also extends to armrests, door panel inserts, gear shift gaiter and handbrake gaiter.

Additional touches include sports-style pedals and footrest with non-slip aluminium covers, ‘Individual’-branded stainless steel front door scuff plates and special floor mats. The available colour combos are: Beige/Dark Beige for the Ghia, Light Beige/Ebony for the Ghia and Titanium and, Tan/Ebony and Ebony for the Titanium.