Ford hopes to seduce customers with safety and technology in the car that will serve as the effective replacement to the locally built and developed Falcon sedan.

Though smaller than the Falcon, a new Mondeo hatch and wagon due on sale in May are set to offer a large standard specification including airbag-equipped rear seatbelts that dissipate energy across a passenger's torso rather than concentrating it in one area.

It is technology new to mainstream brands in the medium-sized segment, the sort of feature usually found in the back of a $200,000 European limousine, not a family car priced from $32,790 in entry-level Ambiente trim.

The Mondeo range is equipped as standard with a variety of features including an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming and satellite navigation, nine airbags, an electronic parking brake, dual-zone climate control and parking sensors at the front and rear.

The next-level Trend trim line brings a reversing camera, smart keys and a step up from 16-inch to 17-inch alloy wheels, along with autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and pedestrian detection systems. Other luxuries include rain-sensing windscreen wipers and partial leather trim with 10-way adjustment for the driver and front passenger.

Top-line Titanium models are priced from $44,290, adding a driver assistance pack with blind spot warning and lane keeping aids along with a lane departure warning, self-parking assistance and a driver impairment monitor. Toys include a panoramic sunroof, sports-seats, multi-coloured cabin lighting, adaptive suspension and LED headlights, a body kit and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Wagon bodystyles with more space are available for an additional $1850.

Ford's standard engine for the Mondeo Ambiente is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost unit that produces 149kW and 345Nm, using 8.2L/100km to do so. Trend and Titanium versions receive the same motor in a 177kW, 345Nm tune that uses 8.5L/100km.
A diesel engine that uses 5.1L/100km to produce 132kW and 400Nm is available for an additional $4000 in Ambiente trim or $3200 in Trend or Titanium guise.

While well-equipped, the Mondeo is one of the most expensive models in a class that has been rejuvenated by new metal. The entry-level Ambiente costs $2800 more than the cheapest Subaru Liberty or Hyundai Sonata, $2300 more than the base Toyota Camry and $250 more than the Mazda6 Sport.

Source: smh.com.au

Why didn't ford offer a diesel in the falcons?

$$$$

What a disappointment, at least with the a*** they have AWD and turbo V6 option (SHO), albeit a hell of a lot slower than a turbo Falcon except for in the wet or dirt, as they are heavier and a lot less ponies and torque. At least they are not a mid size car.

What a disappointment, at least with the a*** they have AWD and turbo V6 option (SHO), albeit a hell of a lot slower than a turbo Falcon except for in the wet or dirt, as they are heavier and a lot less ponies and torque. At least they are not a mid size car.