XR5 variant for Mondeo

Ford Australia is set to break new ground for the Mondeo nameplate, in the shape of a hotshoe rangetopper.

Spotted this week in Melbourne, the Mondeo sporty wears the same XR5 badges as its Focus sibling. Though the manufacturer is tightlipped ahead of the car's media launch two weeks away, the exhaust set-up and engine note of the car we spotted gave every indication the new medium sized car will feature the same turbocharged five-cylinder as the Focus.

It was considered unlikely that Ford would include an XR model in its initial Mondeo offering, focusing instead on a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel models. Adding weight to this impression is the lack of a Mondeo ST in Ford of Europe's current line-up.

ST is to the Blue Oval on the Continent as XR is to the brand Down Under. Where we get the Fiesta XR4, Europe gets the Fiesta ST. Likewise our Focus XR5 is the Focus ST.

Though previous Mondeos have scored both diesel and petrol-engined STs, the sportiest Mondeo available in the UK and Europe in the vehicle's current generation is the Titanium X. This variant sits on top of a range that includes Edge, Ghia, Zetec and Titanium.

This points to the XR5 model being an offer unique to Australia.

The use of the XR5 badge on Mondeo will also be the first time Ford has crossed model line-ups with an XR designation. Potentially, it frees up the nomenclature to allow an XR6 and XR6 Turbo designation to cover both Falcon and Territory.

The Mondeo XR5 we spotted featured a prominent rear spoiler, rear underbumper diffuser and twin exhaust outlets. Though it sported the Titanium X's big 18-inch Y-spoke alloys, the car had a rather ungainly and tall ride height. Up front there were lower valance add-ons and a more aggressive grille treatment.