MIMS: Ford confirms Mondeo and debuts XR4

Ford confirmed it will add the Mondeo to its local line-up before the end of 2007 as well as unveiling a new baby hot hatch and a swag of model range additions including Focus turbodiesel today at MIMS.

The Mondeo medium car was unveiled, to some surprise, ahead of its official world premiere (in production trim) at Geneva Motor Show next week. In a coup for the Blue Oval locally, the new car will arrive later in 2007.

According to Ford boss Tom Gorman, it could be on local roads before October's Sydney Motor Show.

The announcement drew to a close the ongoing 'will-they, won't-they' speculation regarding the arrival of the Blue Oval's medium car entrant. Gorman also revealed that two body styles, three trim levels and two powertrains will be offered when the car arrives Down Under.

Ford Europe is expected to debut hatch, sedan and wagon variants of the Mondeo next week. Ford Australia displayed a hatch at MIMS, which will be joined by the sedan when it launches locally.

Though he would not confirm any more details regarding the model line-up, Gorman did confirm that Ford will offer its 2.0-litre TDCi turbodiesel in Mondeo from launch.

In nominating the diesel as one of the two engine options, it's almost certain the other will be a conventional, naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

Mondeo will, however, be offered in Europe with the excellent Volvo-sourced five-cylinder turbo engine that also features in the Focus XR5. Perhaps Mondeo might also spawn a sporty variant moving forward?

No doubting the sporting credentials of the other Euro-to-Oz Ford unveiling at MIMS, however. The XR4 tops the Fiesta range just as the XR5 haloes the Focus offering.

The XR4 is also the handiwork of Ford Europe's TeamRS hotrod haus and sports a 2.0-litre 110kW/190Nm atmo four-cylinder Duratec powerplant coupled to a five-speed close-ratio manual box. Upgrades include faster steering, suspension and alloys, four-wheel disc brakes and there's a modest body kit.

Inside there's sports seat and all the requisite go-fast paraphernalia.

The bold body stripes of the blue-on-white showcar will be optional when it hits the showrooms in the second quarter of 2007.

Ford expects XR4s to account for around 10 per cent of Fiesta sales with a broad estimate of 40-60 units per month quoted.

Though the new Falcon remains some way off, 2007 will nonetheless be a busy year for Ford, says boss Gorman.

In addition to the high-profile models detailed above (look out for more on both the Mondeo and XR4 here soon), Ford has also confirmed it will offer a Focus turbodiesel at mid-year, it's first diesel passenger car Down Under, as well as bolstering the Focus range with the addition of Ghia hatch and Zetec sedan variants.

Focus will also add Dynamic Stability Control and side curtain airbags as part of a facelift/update. It's not clear which models will get the safety features as standard equipment and which will offer them as options.

Fiesta range gets an extra model in addition to the XR4 too -- the new five-door Zetec is on sale now.

And, as spotlighted by Ford already, expect plenty of value added packs to appear across the Falcon and Territory ranges. At MIMS, Ford announced a RipCurl limited edition XR ute and a new Territory SR with around $5000 worth of extra equipment.

To comment on this article click here