Ford of Europe is telling anyone who will listen that the new Mondeo is "Ford of Europe's most technologically-advanced car ever." All right, I won't argue with that, but it seems the technological advancements don't mean Ford worked a lot on the engine or emissions.
The Mondeo is not exactly a clean car (never has been). It is good that, as expected, there are diesel engine options for the new Casino Royale-mobile, but if Ford wants to make a big to-do about the technological advancements in the Mondeo (and they do), why not ask where are the advancements for the environment?
Take, for example, how the new Mondeo's interior was designed: "In order to optimise the interior package and visibility, Ford's engineers developed and first used on Mondeo a new Computer Aided Virtual Engineering (CAVE) system. CAVE uses a combination of computers and projectors to create a virtual life-sized interior of a car. Using a specially designed rig, a real car seat is fixed into the appropriate position for the 'driver' who can then evaluate all-round visibility as well as comfort levels for reaching the steering wheel and operating major controls. "
Cool, it's like a car holodeck. Make the car comfortable and fun to drive, then get back to work on lowering CO2 emissions.
After the jump, I've excerpted a short bit of Ford of Europe's press release on the Mondeo that mentions the eco-friendly aspects the car, but compared to the full release (available at Autoblog), the eco part seems like an afterthought.
I know Ford is making strides to be more eco-friendly with their other vehicles and in other areas (see here, here and here for some recent examples). It's just when I saw "technologically-advanced" hyped so prominently, I assumed the greenest. I was wrong.
Ford of Europe's Commitment to Sustainability
The new Mondeo has been developed from the outset with Ford's Product Sustainability Index ( PSI) initiative behind it. This incorporates the whole product life cycle; from raw material construction through to production, vehicle operation, right through to the end-of-life operations.
The reflected indicators include life cycle global warming, life cycle air quality, use of sustainable material, restricted substances – including allergy-tested interior – and drive-by exterior noise as well as social and economic aspects, which include pedestrian and occupant safety, mobility capability and cost-of-ownership.
Using the PSI, Ford can target continuous improvement from one vehicle generation to the next.
Sustainability plays a key role in Ford Motor Company's policies. The development and integration of a sustainability management system encompasses the pursuit of improved air quality and fuel efficiency during the vehicles' life cycles, together with built-in recoverability at the time they have completed their useable life.
Ford Motor Company is committed to socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing and since 2000 Ford facilities worldwide, including Genk, have improved energy efficiency by over 16 per cent. Ford is targeting a further year on year 1 per cent improvement.
The Mondeo is not exactly a clean car (never has been). It is good that, as expected, there are diesel engine options for the new Casino Royale-mobile, but if Ford wants to make a big to-do about the technological advancements in the Mondeo (and they do), why not ask where are the advancements for the environment?
Take, for example, how the new Mondeo's interior was designed: "In order to optimise the interior package and visibility, Ford's engineers developed and first used on Mondeo a new Computer Aided Virtual Engineering (CAVE) system. CAVE uses a combination of computers and projectors to create a virtual life-sized interior of a car. Using a specially designed rig, a real car seat is fixed into the appropriate position for the 'driver' who can then evaluate all-round visibility as well as comfort levels for reaching the steering wheel and operating major controls. "
Cool, it's like a car holodeck. Make the car comfortable and fun to drive, then get back to work on lowering CO2 emissions.
After the jump, I've excerpted a short bit of Ford of Europe's press release on the Mondeo that mentions the eco-friendly aspects the car, but compared to the full release (available at Autoblog), the eco part seems like an afterthought.
I know Ford is making strides to be more eco-friendly with their other vehicles and in other areas (see here, here and here for some recent examples). It's just when I saw "technologically-advanced" hyped so prominently, I assumed the greenest. I was wrong.
Ford of Europe's Commitment to Sustainability
The new Mondeo has been developed from the outset with Ford's Product Sustainability Index ( PSI) initiative behind it. This incorporates the whole product life cycle; from raw material construction through to production, vehicle operation, right through to the end-of-life operations.
The reflected indicators include life cycle global warming, life cycle air quality, use of sustainable material, restricted substances – including allergy-tested interior – and drive-by exterior noise as well as social and economic aspects, which include pedestrian and occupant safety, mobility capability and cost-of-ownership.
Using the PSI, Ford can target continuous improvement from one vehicle generation to the next.
Sustainability plays a key role in Ford Motor Company's policies. The development and integration of a sustainability management system encompasses the pursuit of improved air quality and fuel efficiency during the vehicles' life cycles, together with built-in recoverability at the time they have completed their useable life.
Ford Motor Company is committed to socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing and since 2000 Ford facilities worldwide, including Genk, have improved energy efficiency by over 16 per cent. Ford is targeting a further year on year 1 per cent improvement.
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