Mondeo unveiled in production trim ready for Oz

After seemingly endless previews in concept form -- not to mention a brief cameo in the latest James Bond film -- Ford's new Mondeo has finally been revealed in full production guise.

Although the images have been pre-released, the blue oval's new mid-sizer makes its first public appearance at next month's Geneva motor show, and it goes on sale in Europe in June. It'll be offered there in sedan, five-door and station wagon forms.

But what does this have to do with us, you might ask?

Well, plenty, actually, because Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman all but confirmed the car was on its way to Australia in one of his regular monthly meetings with the automotive media in Melbourne yesterday.

Gorman told CarPoint/Carsales Mondeo was an "obvious extension" to the marque's local line-up.

"We have been looking at it [Mondeo] for quite some time and the more and more we think that it does make sense," Gorman said.

"I think it's a great product and it would fit in our line-up," Gorman commented.

"One of the challenges for us [when considering a new model] is how does it fit on the showroom floor -- is it going to cannibalise where you are already or is it complementary and therefore will it drive incremental sales. We actually think Mondeo can drive incremental sales," he said

Though he stopped short of confirming the arrival of the new car he was also enthused by the powertrain options it offered.

"If you look at the powertrain alternatives [Mondeo offers], they fit well in our mix -- it has an I4 [inline four] and a diesel which are both attractive ideas," Gorman said.

Speculation has the Mondeo arriving Down Under very late in 2007. While we'd expect to see the car take pride of place on Ford's stand at this October's Sydney motor show, it would be hard pressed to make it to dealers before this time next year.

The Mondeo is no stranger to Australia as the nameplate featured in Australian showrooms in the 1990s, before being quietly shelved in 2000.

However, that was a time when large-car sales were still motoring along at a healthy rate -- a phenomenon that clearly isn't the case now.

Provided Ford Oz can get the new Mondeo here at a competitive price, there appears no reason why it shouldn't fare well.

The styling certainly seems to work well, and the driving experience should also be exemplary as the car uses elements of the C1 platform that works to such great effect in the smaller Focus and Mazda3.

Engine choices in Europe will include 1.8- and 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines, as well as a range of petrol units, topping out with a 166kW 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo unit (the same donk that powers the stonking Focus XR5).

-- with staff

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