[Brand History] Mondeo, Ford`s Best Public Car

[Kim, Song-Yi] American auto brand Ford decided to make a populer peoples car on 1990s. Ford invested $ 6 billion and developed ′Mondeo′.

Mondeo was launched in 1992, with 1.6 liter, 1.8 liter or 2.0 liter of displacement. In 2000, ST200 model with a displacement of 3.6 liter and V6 engine was added to Mondeo`s line up.

In 2007, Ford upgraded Mondeo`s design and driving quality in order to compete to European sedans. As a result, 2.0TDCi diesel engine and Durashift six-level tramsmission were adopted to Mondeo.

This Year, Mondeo was introduced to Korean Market. This fourth generation Mondeo demonstrated the best fuel-efficiency among competitors. The fourth generation Mondeo could drive 15.9 km with one liter of fuel.

Ford America and Ford Europe worked together to make a world-widely loved peoples car, just like their Ford Model T. Mondeo was the result of their effort.

Mondeo was named from a Latin word, ′Mudus′, which indicates ′world′. Engineers of Ford focused on safety. For the first time, Mondeo adopted airbag to all of its trim.

Three kinds of engine, which are 1.6L, 1.8L, and 2.0 L , was launched. For 2.0L model, it could produce 134 HP maximum and took only 9.6 seconds to reach 100km/hour.

Mondeo was a big project that cost six billion dollar. Interestingly, developing completely new design cost the most of investment. Consequently, Mondeo did not look like a Sierra, which was the previous model.

As Ford expected, Mondeo became popular. In 1993, Mondeowon Car of The Year award from British auto magazine ′What Car?′ and selected as ′European Car of the Year′ in the next year.

The second generation Mondeo was officially launched in 2000 with its new model, ′ST200′. 3.0L V6 engine was adopted to ST220, and it could produce 226 HP and its maximum speed was 243km/h.

As several customers had complained about cramped back seats, the second generation Mondeo had 2 inch wider wheelbase. At the same time, it also improved its engine quality with duratoque engine.

Similar to previous model, the second generation Mondeofocused on safety. So, Mondeo reinforced its main frame, and equipped high-tech safety system such as Intelligent Protection system .

In 2007, Ford revealed the third generation Mondeo. Ford expected for the third generation Mondeo to become popular in European market like the first model.

Martin Smith and British designers were in charge of the design, and German engineers led the technical parts.

The third generation Mondeo`s dura toque 2.0 TDCi diesel engine could make maximum 130 HP and 32.6 kg/m. Automatic-manual six level gear shift was adopted.

The third generation Mondeo got good ratings on safety, by adopting new safety technologies such asknee-protect airbag

One interesting point is that the third generation Mondeo first appeared to the public through the movie ′007-Casino Royale′.

British auto magazine ′What Car′ selected Mondeo for the best car, giving five stars on driving quality, safety, and room efficiency.

The fourth generation Mondeo, which also introduced to Korean market on last March, equipped European diesel engine. The fourth generation Mondeo had eye-catching design , luxurious and dynamic outer design and comfortable interior design.

Based on ′One Ford′ project, Ford fused European diesel engine technology and American utility.

Upgraded 2.0 L TDCi diesel engine was adopted. This new engine was smaller than previous model, but still big enough to produce much stronger power, less engine exhaust, and better driving quality.

Turbo charger 2.0L TDCi diesel engine could produce strong toque with low RPM. It immediately reacts in low speed, and transfer its power stable.

This engine could produce maximum 180HP and maximum toque of 40.8 kg.m. Additionally, it only took 1 L to drive 15.9 km. Six level power shift was used for the fourth generation Mondeo`s transmission.

Auto Start-Stop Button and Active Grill Shutter which decrease air resistance would enhance Mondeo`s fuel efficiency.