In another sign of the growing importance of the Russian market, Ford chose the 2010 Moscow International Auto Show for the world premiere of its facelifted Mondeo series that rivals the likes of the Opel Insignia [Buick Regal in the States], Mazda6 and Citroen C5. Ford provided initial details and photos of the updated Mondeo back in June, but now we have the 'Full Monty' including a comprehensive image gallery with the first shots of the revised interior.
On the outside, all three body styles (four-door sedan, five-door liftback and estate) of the 2011 Mondeo gain a restyled front bumper with larger lower trapezoidal and slimmer upper grilles, LED daytime running lights, a revised bonnet profile and re-designed, LED tail lamps.
Interior revisions are kept to a minimum with a reprofiled center console, higher quality plastics on the door panels and trim materials, a new central overhead console featuring LED ambient lighting plus new interior color schemes.
The biggest changes are hidden under the hood with the introduction of a higher performance 240HP derivative of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine that joins the existing 203HP variant, and a revised version of the 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, which boasts a 12 per cent power increase to 200HP.
The 240HP Ecoboost petrol, which is offered with a six-speed PowerShift clutch double-clutch transmission as standard, accelerates the sedan and liftback Mondeo from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.5 seconds (203HP version: 7.9 seconds) and on to a top speed of 246km/h (153mph), while returning a combined fuel economy of 7.7lt/100km (30.5mpg US).
The performance and economy figures for the 200HP diesel unit, which is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox, is a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.1 seconds and a combined fuel efficiency of 6.0lt/100km (39.2mpg US).
Ford said that new 1.6-litre engines from the EcoBoost petrol and Duratorq TDCi diesel engine families will also be available in the very near future.
At least in the UK, prices will be carried over from the existing Mondeo and start at £17,295.
