One of this year's main attractions at the Geneva Show, the 2008 Ford Mondeo has broken cover about a week before the embargo ended thanks to a leak on the web. Although we actually have access to the full press pack we’ll play fair and stick to the short-press release and the 5 pics we found on several web-sites and forums like automotoportal, thecarlounge etc.

Now a few things about the all-new Mondeo that could go global finding its way even into the US market as several Ford execs recently admitted. According to several Ford people we spoke to, the 2008 Mondeo will hold all the key-elements of the current model (excellent chassis with sporty road manners, spacious cabin & competitive prices) ditching away two of its most serious cons: dull interior and exterior design and the mediocre plastics of the cabin. For the moment, we can only comment about its design which has as much to do with its predecessor as the Escort did with the first gen Focus. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the rest of the article and the image gallery

Practically, the new Mondeo is the sedan version of the COTY 2007 winner, the S-MAX with whom it shares the platform, engine range, most of the interior and of course the “Kinetic” design language. Apart from the 145Hp 2.0, 220Hp 2.5T petrol and 110 / 125Hp 1.8 TDCi, 130 / 140Hp 2.0 TDCi diesel engines from the S-MAX, the 2008 Mondeo will also be available with two new petrol engines, a 110 /125Hp 1.6 Ti-VCT and a 161Hp 2.3-litre. Sales of the new Mondeo (4d, 5d and SW) are expected to start Euro-wide in April. Via: Automotoportal , thecarlounge

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PRESS RELEASE: Ford has released the first images of the all-new Mondeo ahead of its world debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The dramatic all-new Mondeo is designed to raise customers' expectations for a car in this class through a combination of style, dynamics and technology.

During its life, the Mondeo has appeared every year in the nation's top 10 favourite cars. A total of over four million Mondeo models have been built at the Genk plant since launch in 1993 with more than 1.5 million of those being sold in the UK.

"The exciting new Mondeo is very important to us", said Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain's Chairman and Managing Director. "It's probably the most elegant car we've ever launched, and it's certainly the most technologically-advanced. Like the S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, the new Mondeo will attract many new customers to our showrooms as well as delighting our loyal UK customer base," he said.

New Mondeo Design

The new Mondeo is striking and unmistakably a member of the Ford family. It is the latest and most advanced expression of Ford's 'kinetic design'.

The distinctive front end has chamfered corners and a deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. A muscular shoulder line runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear.

Distinctive rear lamps also feature carefully designed graphics that enhance the overall feeling of premium quality. A strong undercut line runs from the bold front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Under this, full surfacing extends down to strong rocker panels to ensure the vehicle maintains a dynamic road presence.

The spacious interior shares the same 'kinetic design' exterior language as the exterior. The driver will enjoy the 'cockpit' driving position as the higher beltline and flow-through centre console combine to enhance the cosseted feeling for front seat occupants.

New levels of craftsmanship are evident throughout. For example, careful use of 'piano black' interior styling accents creates interest and a pleasing feel to key touch areas. Soft-touch material and ambient lighting is used extensively throughout the cabin to emphasise its quality and refinement.

New Mondeo Choice

The Ford Mondeo range has always offered a wide choice for customers, and the new Mondeo is no exception. Standard equipment across the range includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling with fuel inhibitor to prevent misfuelling, Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm, air conditioning, 'follow-me-home' lights, trip computer and an MP3 connector socket.

Three distinct bodystyles – a classic four-door, a stylish and flexible five-door and the capacious Estate – will all be available from launch. For each body style, four distinct series are available: the Edge, which provides a high level of standard equipment essential for business and family needs; the contemporary Zetec series, and, at the top of the range, the Ghia and Titanium X models.

These flagship models offer a choice of premium quality details. While the Ghia represents classic luxury, with extensive use of chrome and wood ornamentation inside, the Titanium model will appeal to those customers favouring a more contemporary, technology flavour.

New Technologies for Driver Assistance

Advanced new driver-focused technologies are available, and include keyless entry and keyless start with "Ford Power" start button, new Ford "Convers+" Human Machine Interface (HMI) instrument display, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control with Hill Launch Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Furthermore, this new Mondeo is the first production Ford to feature the company's award-winning Easyfuel system. This guards against either petrol or diesel misfuelling at the filling pump as the fuel filler neck aperture has been specifically designed around the different sizes of fuel nozzles. Ford has engineered its system only to allow the nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to enter the filler neck.

Ford Precision Drive: New Mondeo Driving Quality

The Ford Mondeo has been acclaimed for its driving quality since its original introduction in 1993. The new Mondeo aims to extend this reputation even further, and from the outset was developed with superior driving dynamics as a core attribute, combining a refined ride with minimal noise, vibration and harshness.

The major modifications include:

1. · Wider track
2. · Optimised front suspension design
3. · New rear suspension design
4. · Isolated rear subframe
5. · Optimised steering system

Refined Suspension System
Ford has specified the trusted MacPherson front suspension system for the new Mondeo incorporating features to enhance the Mondeo driving experience such as isolated subframes, control arm hydro bushings, S-shaped springs and dual path strut mounts.

At the rear a new version of the proven multi-link rear suspension design also benefits from an isolated subframe mounting system. This concept is already familiar in the Ford S-MAX "Control Blade" design and uses four links to control each wheel precisely.

Reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness and Improved Sound Quality
New Mondeo promotes stress-free, relaxed driving through low noise levels which enables easy communication inside the vehicle and optimum use of the internal audio equipment even at high speeds.

The combined effect of all the engineering actions, in terms of noise, is a reduction of 3dB across the whole frequency range, compared with the current model. Wind noise, measured in Ford's state-of-the-art aero-acoustic wind tunnel is the lowest in its class, and reinforces the quality ambience of the interior.

Powertrains
The new Mondeo is available with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, including:

• · 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 100PS or 125PS diesel with 5-speed manual transmission. The 125PS version can also be specified with a 6-speed manual transmission.
• · 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 140PS diesel with 6-speed manual transmission.
• · 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 130ps diesel with a new Durashift 6-speed automatic transmission
• · 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT 110PS or 125PS petrol engines with 5-speed manual transmission.
• · 2.0-litre Duratec HE 145PS petrol engine with Durashift 5-speed manual transmission.
• · A new 2.3-litre Duratec HE 161PS 4-cylinder petrol engine with Durashift
  6-speed automatic transmission.
• · Range topping, performance-orientated 2.5 litre Duratec 5-cylinder 220PS petrol engine with Durashift 6-speed manual transmission