Ford adding some emotion to Mondeo
The next Ford Mondeo is set to start production in January, and the European arm of the big Blue Oval is trying to build on the successes of the current car by adding some flair to the new car's design. The current Mondeo is well liked in Europe, but treated as a wallflower for its staid styling. The new model, however, clearly takes some inspirational styling cues from the Ford Iosis concept that surfaced at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year.
In addition to new digs, the next Mondeo will grow larger in every dimension and get a revamped engine lineup that drops the range-topping six-cylinder in favor of a light-turbo five-cylinder sourced from Volvo. It also includes a few innovative features like fully concealable rear seats that fold flat for more useable cargo storage.
[Source: Autobild] (translated)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben 5:39PM (6/20/2006)
is it me , or is it looking more and more like a volvo
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PBCrunch 5:45PM (6/20/2006)
The front end looks like it was pulled off the current Chevrolet "Impala".
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Gary 5:50PM (6/20/2006)
I think it's a good looking car. Ford needs more vehicles that don't make you yawn. The Fusion looks good and the Mustang is the Mustang, but what else does Ford have out there that isn't simply boring and sleep inducing? Yet another good (looking) car the Big Three keep from us. It seems they've started to realize design matters, but they keep letting things slip throughthe cracks.
Oh and Ford, you might wanna bring the European Focus here at some point. Just a suggestion.
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Jay 5:51PM (6/20/2006)
Eh, it's nice, but it looks really boring and excessively watered down compared to the gorgeous Iosis concept.
I don't understand why they do that. "Let's see...people thought the Iosis was great, but trying to make it translate to production would take too much work. Let's see...let's bring over the front fender flares...they seemed to like those. That should be good enough." There's so much flowing linework on the concept that was dazzling...and now it's gone. Ho hum. Not surprised.
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JSFORBES 5:51PM (6/20/2006)
I like it. It looks worlds better than an American ford sedan.
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Buster Hymen 6:11PM (6/20/2006)
I also agree it's a good looking car. The front lights hint of Aston Martin with the elongated light cover. But yes, there are hints of volva, i mean volvo. Still, better than what they have here in the states.
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wally 6:14PM (6/20/2006)
Better looking than anything in American line-up
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Vinny 6:17PM (6/20/2006)
I'm shocked to see a Ford label on a car with this kind of styling.
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Brian 6:19PM (6/20/2006)
I couldn't tell from the translated page, but is the new Mondeo based on a Volvo platform or a Mazda6? At any rate they should sell it in the US but won't for fear of canabalising sales of the Fusion. Very nice looking car though.
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risingsun 6:20PM (6/20/2006)
OMFG just release it here already. Car and Driver did a story about the Fords that could save Ford. I think it looks like a cross between a Scion tC and a Chevy Impala. The C pillar looks great, along with the roofline.
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Desmond 6:20PM (6/20/2006)
This car is a freaking joke, DISGUSTING!
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Corey 6:22PM (6/20/2006)
Looks great. Prove itself to be reliable, and it should be a superstar here.
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Larry S. 6:24PM (6/20/2006)
I want to take a dump on this trash, make something creative Ford. What's up with Ford, the new Freestyle looks like a f)$ing minivan from the back.
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Lithous 6:43PM (6/20/2006)
"This car is a freaking joke, DISGUSTING!"
Desmond is Lost.
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mk 6:44PM (6/20/2006)
It may not be a triumph... the fog lights aren't great, the c-pillar transition is a bit odd, but it isn't that bad.
Name another ford product, or GM, or chrysler product that is as good looking and not a new generation land-yacht...
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Ken 6:56PM (6/20/2006)
Uhhhh #11 Desmond..... you must be a GM or Toyota fan. The Aztec must be your vehicle of choice. It is a great thing that there is such a variety so that we all can find something that we like no matter how "questionable" our taste is.
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barry 7:31PM (6/20/2006)
This is what the Fusion should have been. What is Ford thinking about apparently not very much. They keep making the same boring styling mistakes in North America and then wonder why nobody buys their product
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Scott 7:40PM (6/20/2006)
I see hints of Aston Martin in the front grille and roofline. I'll take one in RWD form, thanks.
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Milos 7:57PM (6/20/2006)
it's better than current one.
But I expected lot more, especially since iosis was so cool concept. This one looks like it has front of mazda 6, with c-pillar taken from current eu focus. It doesn't have specific feeling about it. I can't say it looks just sporty, or just elegant, or luxurious. It's seems like it has bit of everything, but i'm not sure whether that bit will be enough.
As a whole it's better than current one. I wish ford was more braver.
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brother justin 8:26PM (6/20/2006)
Just from the picture I'd buy it. I think it looks nicer than my TL.
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