Of course this isn’t really the first time we’ve seen the Ford Mondeo – we saw its stateside twin, the Fusion back in January in Detroit. Interesting to see it in Paris in Euro spec. Most mainstream media is running with the ‘Aston Martin for the masses’ headline thanks to its outline grille. Do doubt Ford is glad of this as it distracts from the fact that the Mondusion (Fusdeo?) is in fact an Audi emulator. Who isn’t currently?
If imitation is the highest form of flattery then the guys in Ingolstadt will be beetroot red.
Its DRL signature is a kink shy of the A6′s, the hatchback’s profile a facsimile of the A7 and the lower mask treatment strikingly similar to the outgoing A3.
Unfortunately the quality of these pre-production cars spoils the illusion. Huge panel gaps (you can actually see into the engine bay on one of the show cars) and poor interior quality (console bin lids stuck open, sharp trim edges) just aren’t good enough. I for one remember the previous generation Mondeo being leagues ahead in terms of perceived quality. It’s little wonder Ford has drafted in Amko Leenarts – the man responsible for turning around Peugeot’s interiors – as its new Director of Global Interiors Design Strategy.
Ford was, at one time, a company very much leading the gaggle in terms of design direction, but the Mondeo feels disappointing in its lack of clear identity.
Owen Ready
