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Cars : 2015 Ford Mondeo arrives in Romania
Ford Romania has introduced the fifth generation of the Mondeo in Europe, over a 2-day event which has gotten us, automotive journalists, through all versions, under the close indications of professional racing drivers from the Romanian Rally Championship (Napoca Rally Academy).
A nice touch of the whole event was finding Bogdan Marisca, on the passenger seat, who has given me some good pointers, trying to make be a better driver, which I hope he did, in the end, in theory at least.
Originally unveiled during the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), in Detroit, as the Fusion (U.S.), the new generation of the Ford Mondeo is finally storming the Old Continent. The inautonews.com team was present at the launch event for the model in Romania and we have driven over a 2-day course the Hybrid, the 5-door and the wagon versions.
The new generation of the Ford Mondeo is one attractive ride, starting with that Aston Martin-like front grille, going through the muscular lines which remind us that this is the same company which is producing the Mustang, going through a sportier roof and ending with the slim taillights. This is a completely new car compared to its predecessor and the carmaker is trying to promote it as a more premium vehicle, but don’t expect BMW 3-Series finishes inside.
Even so, the new model enlightens us with a fluidic dashboard, with an overall minimal design highlighted by the brand new 8-inch display which can be used for the navigation system, for the phone, the music system and so on. Keep in mind that this is only available on range-topping versions of the model. For some extra cash, you will be able to order the leather upholstery and some nice touches such as the rear air vents, the rear 230V outlet and one of the most interesting feature yet, the Auto Adaptive LED headlights.
If you have driven a brand new BMW model, with the High Beam Assist, you know what to expect, the headlights are basically following the lines of the road and they automatically adjust so they will not blind the driver in the car in front of you or the one coming in from the other way, but still managing to give you enough visibility so that you will feel safer, visually speaking, no matter what road you are on.
Another first for Ford is the Active Park Assistance, which will help you squeeze the car easier in a parallel or a perpendicular spot. This can be done easily and it will be something your wife will appreciate the most, but you will probably find it useful yourself. Ford has added a “Park” button near the gearshift lever. Push it once and you will park the car perpendicular, press it twice and you are ready to squeeze it backwards, in a parallel spot.
Leaving your trust with the car’s safety systems is pretty weird, as I have to admit, because once the sensors pick up a free spot, all you have to do is shift between Drive and Reverse and slightly press the gas and the brake pedals, because the car will be in charge of the steering and all you will have to watch is the large display on the dashboard. Just like almost every driver, the car will always select a spot where it is easier to park.
Ford has added the Collision Warning System on the new generation of the Mondeo too. This is something I tested on my own, without any intention, as I got distracted behind the wheel. The car flashed the LEDs on the dashboard and started emitting weird sounds. The emergency braking was engaged and I managed to get away unhurt. So did the car.
The Adaptive Cruise Control can be engaged and disengaged from the left buttons on the steering wheel, just like the Lane Keep Assistant. These are a “must have” if you are travelling on highways often because they will make your life easier. Basically, what the car does is not leave the lane if the blinker is not on and it will brake on itself if a driver decides to pull in front of you and then accelerate once the obstacle has been removed.
Other features available on the 2015 Ford Mondeo include the automatic tailgate opener, a system similar to the one offered by BMW, in which you will have to have the smart key in your pocket / hand and all you will have to do to open the tailgate is slide your foot underneath the rear bumper. A pretty easy way to keep those groceries clean. Ford is also giving you the chance to have a two-zone climate control, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers, the LED technology for the smart headlights, mentioned above, MyKey system, Keyless Start, traffic sign recognition, Start/Stop technology, ambient light in the cabin, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, heated and ventilated front seats, the SYNC Gen II 8-inch display available on the Trend, Trend Plus, Titanium and Titanium Premium 1 packages and several other goodies.
Other packages available for the 2015 Ford Mondeo include the Titanium Premium 2, Titanium Premium 3, Go Further, Sport, Technology and Panoramic. There is a sport suspension system too, available on the Titanium, which can automatically adjust on the wagon, but not with the 19-inch wheels, Active City Stop, Blind Spot Assistant, incorporated airbag into the rear side seatbelts, on the Titanium, heated and electrically adjustable steering wheel, USB connection, Voice Control and so on.
The engine lineup available for the car includes the 1.6L TDCi, with 115 HP, the 1.5L TDCi with 120 HP and the 2.0L TDCI with 150 HP or 180 HP. These can be connected only to a six-speed manual transmission. The 2.0L TDCi, with 210 HP, is available with the PowerShift. The petrol burners include the 125 HP 1.0L EcoBoost, with 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic, the 1.5L EcoBoost with 160 HP and a 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic or the 2.0L EcoBoost with 203 HP / 240 HP, mated to a 6-speed manual.
The Hybrid version of the model has a 2.0 liter Atkinson cycle petrol burner under its hood, backed up by an electric motor and a 35 kWh battery. This can be driven on electric power alone, at low speeds and for limited amounts of time. The total output produced stands at 187 HP (138 kW). The official fuel consumption stands at 4.2L / 100km and the CO2 emissions at 99 g/km. The model can reach a top speed of 187 km/h. We have to mention the fact that the fuel consumption of the Hybrid was similar to the one of a 2.0L TDCi, on the same road.
Ford has a promotional price for the new generation of the Mondeo in Romania. The car is available in the Trend version, with a 2.0L TDCi engine, producing 150 HP, connected to a 6-speed manual transmission, for 23,150 euros, VAT included. The customer can also pay only 350 euros for the Trend Package, offering the SYNC Gen II, 8-inch display, light and rain sensors, heated windscreen, front heated seats and 16-inch alloy wheels, instead of the usual 2,100 euros. The new Mondeo Titanium with 150 HP and 6-speed manual costs 25,650 euros (promo). The Titanium Package is adding the Auto Adaptive headlights with LED technology, the SYNC Gen II, 8-inch display, SONY radio, heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, privacy glass and the Perpendicular and Parallel Parking System, for the same 350 euros, a promotional price.
Full price list for the 2015 Ford Mondeo in Romania
Petrol – TREND
1.5 EcoBoost 160 HP – M6, 5-door – 24,300 EUR
1.5 EcoBoost 160 HP – M6, Wagon – 24,800 EUR
1.5 EcoBoost 160 HP – A6, 5-door – 25,800 EUR
1.5 EcoBoost 160 HP – A6, Wagon – 26,300 EUR
Diesel – TREND
1.6 TDCi 115 HP – M6, 5-door – 24,550 EUR
1.6 TDCi 115 HP – M6, Wagon – 25,050 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – M6, 5-door – 25,550 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – M6, Wagon – 26,050 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – PowerShift, 5-door – 27,050 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – PowerShift, Wagon – 27,550 EUR
Petrol – TITANIUM
2.0 EcoBoost 203 HP – A6, 5-door – 29,550 EUR
2.0 EcoBoost 203 HP – A6, Wagon – 30,050 EUR
2.0 EcoBoost 240 HP – A6, 5-door – 30,800 EUR
2.0 EcoBoost 240 HP – A6, Wagon, 31,300 EUR
Diesel – TITANIUM
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – M6, 5-door – 28,050 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – M6, Wagon – 28,550 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – PowerShift, 5-door – 29,550 EUR
2.0 TDCi 150 HP – PowerShift, Wagon, 30,050 EUR
2.0 TDCi 180 HP – M6, 5-door – 28,800 EUR
2.0 TDCi 180 HP – M6, Wagon – 29,300 EUR
2.0 TDCi 180 HP – PowerShift, 5-door – 30,300 EUR
2.0 TDCi 180 HP – PowerShift, Wagon – 30,800 EUR
(Source: inautonews.com)