Next Ford Mondeo breaks cover

The all-new fifth-generation Ford Mondeo has been leaked accidentally by the Chinese Ministry for Information and Information Technology ahead of its official reveal next year.

Created this time as a joint venture with Chinese brand Chongqing, the 2022 Ford Mondeo has been ruled out for European sales and right-hand drive production, although it could live on in North America as the Ford Fusion.

Developed under the CD542 codename, the new Mondeo picks up where the Chinese-market Ford Evos crossover left off.

Claimed to be the latest evidence of Ford's Potential Energy Aesthetics design language, the new model features arrowhead indicators, ultra-slim headlights and an octagonal front grille, as well as a sharp-edged trapezium lower air intake and two further openings beneath the lamps.

Elsewhere, there's large pronounced wheel-arches, flush door handles and rakish rear styling.

At the rear there's also the obligatory LED light bar and some Mustang-inspired tail-lights, plus a bumper with an integrated diffuser. The overall look is far more four-door coupe or fastback than the current car.

Measuring in at 4935mm long, 1875mm wide and 1500mm tall, the new Mondeo is longer (+53mm), wider (23mm) and higher (19mm) than the current model.

Crucially, the wheelbase has also been stretched by 104mm for more cabin space.

There's no pictures of what's happened within, but the Mondeo is tipped to share the Evo's incredible 1.1m-wide display that combines a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 27-inch touch-screen.

Powering the new infotainment system is Ford's new SYNC+ 2.0 UX that's combined with Baidu-developed software.

From launch, there's an onboard digital assistant and Level 2 semi-autonomous cruise control and car-to-X tech.

Based on the same Ford C2 platform as the current Ford Focus, the Chinese Mondeo will offer both 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines.

Later on, a plug-in hybrid powertrain will also be announced.