AIMS: Ford leads with Mondeo

UPDATED to reflect the fact Ford is showing just three cars on its AIMS standa this year.

Ford’s next-generation Mondeo and the show car that previewed it – the sleek EVOS concept – is headlining the Blue Oval’s stand at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney today, alongside next year’s all-new EcoSport.

In a radical approach to this year’s AIMS, the three cars are the only vehicles to grace Ford's relatively small exhibition space within the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour.

While Ford will also stage a massive interactive outdoor exhibit dubbed Smart Drive and spanning 4600 square-metres – almost 10 times larger than its 484 square-metre indoor display – the exterior of the redesigned Mondeo is projected onto enormous screens within an all-white studio space.

The ‘Mondeo’ making its Australian debut is actually a new US-spec Ford Fusion, which is almost identical to the next Mondeo and rides on the same new global C/D-segment platform.

Ford’s all-new rival for mid-size market leaders like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord Euro and Mazda6 – a new generation of which will also make its local debut in Sydney – takes clear design cues from the EVOS, including low roofline, coupe-like profile, prominent trapezoidal grille, powerdome bonnet and its first-in-segment adaptive full LED headlights.

The new Mondeo will be launched in Europe in both hatch and wagon forms, but it remains unclear which body styles will become available in Australia next year, or whether the show car’s huge retractable panoramic glass roof will be an option here.

However, Ford Australia has confirmed the next Mondeo will come standard with a turbocharged EcoBoost engine line-up, the SYNC infotainment system and its Ford-first inflatable rear seatbelts, while a TDCi turbodiesel is almost certain to be part of the range also.

The new Mondeo will also improve upon the current model’s list of available technologies, which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert and a blind-spot warning system, but it’s not known if it will also receive the more advanced MyFord Touch infotainment system that will be available in Europe, bringing voice-activated satellite-navigation and a large, high resolution colour touch-screen.

“We're incredibly excited to bring the all-new Mondeo to Australia,” said Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano. “Not only is it a stunning vehicle to look at, it offers a full suite of the very best One Ford technologies available. EcoBoost and SYNC are major technology platforms for us and I think our customers will be really impressed with the overall package we bring to market.”

As Ford previously announced, also making their Australian debuts in Sydney will be two new SUV models for Australia in the redesigned Kuga, which arrives in local dealerships in mid-2013, and the all-new EcoSport, which is not due on sale until later than exected in earlyu 2014.

While the new Kuga is now selling strongly in the US as the Escape, the all-new Fiesta-based EcoSport will be smaller in size and price than both the Kuga and Ford Australia’s homegrown Territory.

Expected to be priced at around $25,000, the EcoSport offers a high driving position, compact dimensions and a fuel-efficient 88kW/170Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, and is billed as a high-riding urban runabout.

“As the EcoSport is based on the same platform as Fiesta, our customers can expect excellent ride and handling characteristics,” said Mr Graziano. “If you look closely too, you’ll see the One Ford signature design cues that EcoSport shares with our very own Ford Territory.”

Slotting in above the EcoSport is the mid-size Kuga, which is based on the same new global C-segment platform as Ford’s latest Focus. Boot space has also grown by 82 litres and the AWD system has been improved to be more responsive to changes in terrain and traction compared with the current Kuga, which is available only in one highly specified $39,900 turbo-petrol variant.

Apart from a roomier, more upmarket interior and improved ride/handling and refinement due to its new platform, the next Kuga will be available here with EcoBoost turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It will also be available with a new "fast-acting" AWD system, hands-free foot-operated electric tailgate, Active Park Assist self-parking system and SYNC connectivity.

Ford recently also revealed FPV’s quickest ever GT, the new RSPEC, its potent new 184kW/340Nm 2.0-litre EcoBoost-powered Focus ST and its new EcoBoost-liveried V8 Supercar contender, which will do battle under new ‘Car of the Future’ regulations for 2013 with the Holden Commodore, Nissan Altima and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Powered by a 335kW/570Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8, the limited-edition RSPEC can accelerate to 100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds, thanks to its firmer chassis and wider rear tyres. Just 350 will be built in both sedan ($76,990) and ute ($57,990) guises.