Spy Shots: Ford Mondeo XR5 Turbo
Click the XR5 photo for more images
American drivers haven't had a special high-performance sedan offering from Ford since the demise of the Contour SVT and it doesn't look like we'll get one anytime soon. Fortunately, overseas buyers don't have that problem. Besides the pleasure of having the standard Mondeo, it looks like they will soon have a XR5 Turbo version to choose from. This one is expected to be propelled by a five-cylinder turbo sourced the Swedish side of the family at Volvo. It could be a fun combination. Head over to CarAdvice.com.au for more pics of the XR5.
[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mr. Oak 10:41AM (9/24/2007)
So, go ahead just keep rubbing our noses in it.
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Alex 10:44AM (9/24/2007)
why does ford hate america?
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Rick 12:50PM (9/24/2007)
Right, another potential car for 'I will never buy American' shoppers like myself that Ford refuses to offer here in the states. Habe they figured out their tanking sales yet? It's not that difficult to figure out. Treat US buyers like 3rd world buyers and have the sales to match.
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Atomicbri 10:46AM (9/24/2007)
I just read an article how Ford is so ready to dump Jag and Land Rover so it may concentrate its efforts on its own company. That Toyota was set to pull ahead of Ford in sales.... well guess what Ford... all the selling of Jag and Land Rover in the world will not fix the lack of imaginative products you have here in the United States and here is another perfect example of a great looking and from what I hear driving car that we will not get. If they think continuing with that horrid FiveHundred, Taurus car then they will continue to lose.... get a grip Ford... and stop serving up 10 year old Focus platforms and calling them new cars while the rest of the world is about to get the Focus Gen 3 version.
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howard 12:06PM (9/25/2007)
FYI! Don't you people realize, AMERICA (always upper case Alex) (sorry Atomicbri, had to put Alex on the right track) is the dumping ground for FORD! Henry started it when asked what color they could get the Model-T in and he said, "ANY COLOR AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK" That all changed with the introduction of the Model-A, it was offered in black with blue fenders and all yellow with red wheels!
John P. 10:48AM (9/24/2007)
Would be a great replacement for my aging XR4 Turbo (xr4ti), oh wait, Ford screwed up Merkur too. *heavy sigh*
It's getting harder and harder to keep the faith when they just rub our noses in cool stuff like this.
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Fabri91 10:54AM (9/24/2007)
Is it possible to import cars in the us?
TriShield 10:49AM (9/24/2007)
Is America willing to pay thousands more for this car over the Fusion, even if it's built here?
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John P. 10:52AM (9/24/2007)
Yep.
Cornholio 2:59PM (9/24/2007)
Some are, yes. The problem is that Ford (and other US makers to some degree) still equate size to price. In other words, small cars must be cheap, big cars more expensive.
There are plenty of examples in the automotive landscape that buck this trend. The Mini, BMW's 3 series ('til the latest version, anyway...), Audi's A3, and so forth. The problem is that Ford only thinks about its traditional customers, NOT the people buying A3s and Minis. Some of us want a NICE smaller car, with excellent chassis dynamics and upscale interiors, and are willing to pay for it.
Fabri91 10:53AM (9/24/2007)
I really hope it isn't a diesel, because it has those curved pipes...but since it's called XR5 i'm pretty sure it's the petrol one.
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Ron 11:12AM (9/24/2007)
Is it not weird that Mexico gets the new Mondeo and Focus while the US sees a "renewed" Focus and yet Ford Mgmt. says that the Euro Focus would be too expensive for our market
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Ron 11:16AM (9/24/2007)
I need to correct myself here, Mexico only gets the Focus ST while it still keeps the American Focus.
hube 8:56PM (9/24/2007)
Wrong. In México we have the euro focus sedan and the euro focus ST hatchback.
And guess what? we have it at the same price that the american focus!!.
According with ford usa website a focus sedan full equipment costs $18,760 dollars while according with Ford Mexico an euro focus sedan full equipment costs $18,842 dollars ($260,000 pesos)!!!!
I can´t explain that.
Why ford usa can offer the euro focus???, the price it´s not an issue.
judd 11:12AM (9/24/2007)
Ford doesn't even make it in my radar when it comes to picking out a car. Really sad. As much as I want to buy American, there's just nothing to chose from but cars for people over 60 yrs old when you have a family. Mazda section maybe, but the dealerships in the are just does not have a good reputation either.
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Avinash machado 11:20AM (9/24/2007)
Ford did sell the Mondeo in the US in the 90's as the Ford Countour\Mercury Mystique. However it hardly sold with most buyers preferring the bigger Taurus\Sable. Perhaps Ford is afraid that such a scenario might be repeated this time also if it brings over the Mondeo.
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ford_for_road 11:44AM (9/24/2007)
the exhaust look stupid
it supposed to be vertical with chrome around it
not leaning down
other that it looks great
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Wombert 11:55AM (9/24/2007)
Err... at least in Germany, you can get the Mondeo with the I5 turbo already... same 225hp engine as in the Focus ST.
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Spiel 1:27PM (9/24/2007)
That's a Ford I would buy! Aside from the sweet looks (both int & ext), it's based on the excellent chassis my X-Type is built on.
I really wonder who designs the Ford US models...and for whom. Just dumb.
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Hello 12:47PM (9/24/2007)
Ford's contempt for the american market can be seen very well in the engine offerings in the Fusion. While I can see the need to differentiate the Lincoln version, the decision to not put the new Duratec engine in the car while stuffing the older, less efficient, less powerful, and quite frankly outdated previous generation V6 is disgusting. The ungainly 3 barred fusion might be in my purchasing crosshairs otherwise.
I could only dream of Ford US offering an exciting engine in a lighter, smaller car. With the advent of the ginormous appliance-ish Taurus, isn't it time Ford had a proper Contour replacement? The Fusion is just a bit too heavy and fat for my tastes.
I drive a Contour, and deeply love its driving dynamics. It's just so communicative, and wonderfully reliable. I can only hope that the new Fusion will have good looks, a proper engine, and good handling while not being bloated.
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