New Ford Mondeo available in Europe

Only weeks after making its appearance at the Geneva Motor Show this year the new Ford Mondeo is scheduled for delivery to European dealers from June 16 with prices starting at just under 22,000 euros (30,000 dollars). At a presentation in Italy, Ford said the model range would include three body styles and the choice of eight engines in the range from 74 kW/100 hp to 162 kW/220 hp.

The four-door sedan is available at the same price as the five- door hatchback. The station wagon, which retains its name Turnier, costs between 1,000 and 1,300 euros more.

Compared to the predecessor models, the carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by up to 10 per cent, according to Ford's marketing manager in Cologne Juergen Stackmann.

Fuel consumption is listed at 5.7 litres for the slowest diesel engine and 9.3 litres for the most powerful petrol motor. This corresponds to a CO2 emission figure of between 151 g/km to 222 g/km. An inhibitor prevents misfuelling.

Stackmann said that a petrol engined-version running on bio- ethanol would be available by early next year. A sports model ST is also in the planning, according to company sources.

Standard safety items in the Mondeo are airbags all around from the front to the side. Assistance systems include ESP, active headrests and the coupling of the warning light with the brakes.