FORD MONDEO: DARE TO BE INSPIRED
PRETORIA, South Africa, August 26, 2001 – Exuding confidence, substance and purpose, the all-new, fully imported Ford Mondeo Ghia has arrived in South Africa heralding Ford's commitment to not only meeting but also exceeding customer needs and expectations. Ford has once again delivered on the promise: "the shape of things to come".
Serving as the new flagship for the Ford range, the Mondeo embodies the "New Face of Ford" with its striking New Edge Design and commanding confidence. Genuine, authentic, complete and practical, the Mondeo offers class-leading interior space and fitments, with a contemporary, distinctive and stylish exterior.
"The new Ford Mondeo will take its place at the top of the passenger car range in the Ford line-up," says Ford Marketing Director, Alan Hatton. "It will set new standards in interior appointment and safety in an impressive, durable and refined package that will delight those who have a passion for driving."
"This is a world-class car which offers an alternative and delightfully rewarding driving experience which inspires confidence in its ownership through dependable quality."
Powered by Ford's brand new 2.0-litre Duratec HE 16-valve engine, the Mondeo promises an enjoyable, entertaining and reliable driving experience. Producing 107 kW of silky smooth power at 6 000 r/min and 190 Nm of torque at 4 500 r/min, the new engine and five-speed manual gearbox endow the Mondeo with sophisticated, quiet and inspiring performance.
An elegant and stylish external design gives the Mondeo a fresh, sophisticated and tantalising appearance in a world of look-alikes. Exuding strength, solidity and precision with a confidence that repudiates fashion slavery, the Mondeo's solid stance, and taut and precise surface is emphasised by standard 16-inch alloy wheels, and an exterior shape that avoids ungainliness.
The Mondeo's fresh new interior design speaks of precision and driving quality. Craftsmanship is exemplified in an all-new instrument panel, soft touch front fascia and interior environment. The interior design reflects intensive ergonomic study, down to the feeling of each switch and the class-leading interior space.
"Equipment levels in the new Mondeo are very impressive," explains Mr. Hatton. "Air conditioning, cruise control, power steering, electrically operated windows and mirrors, electric multi-adjustable leather seats, remote selective central locking with double locking, an innovative in-dash six-CD player with satellite controls on the steering, and a comprehensive active and passive safety package ensure that the driving experience in the new Mondeo is refined, comfortable and safe."
Speaking of safety, driver aids for accident avoidance include standard ABS. and an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). The ESP system enables the vehicle to monitor its balance against driver inputs and is able to take the necessary corrective action by applying the ABS or Visteon Levanta system - a 32-bit processor which not only controls the powerplant's strategic functions but also the onboard engine and body equipment that ensures occupant protection.
These - coupled with the Mondeo's no-compromise, class leading passive safety package and strong basic structure - make it an extremely safe family car. Highly rigid, the Mondeo was designed for crashworthiness with extensive use of high-strength steels and laser weldings.
A collapsible pedal structure, deploying front head restraints, three-point inertia reel seatbelts in all seating positions and ISO-Fix child seat attachment points are all in place to ensure the Mondeo is as safe as possible.
"The most exciting aspect of Ford Mondeo's passive safety package is the new Intelligent Protection System (IPS)," says Mr. Hatton. "It features an advanced Safety Restraint System that incorporates an adaptive dual-stage driver's airbag with a Seat Track Position Sensor and a dual-stage passenger airbag with Seat Weight Position Sensor. These all operate together with an advanced detection system which analyses frontal crash severity. Inflatable side curtains for front and rear seat occupants and chest-protecting side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger are also part of the deal - together with a load-limiting seat belt retractor system. This is a car that really has taken occupant safety to heart."
Driving dynamics in the new Mondeo are out of the top drawer. All components are completely reworked and redesigned within the framework of Mondeo's proven suspension system architecture. The front suspension incorporates a new subframe with zero offset L-arms, a wider track and increased suspension travel.
The all-new Quadra Link features larger bushing, optimised geometry and passive rear wheel steering, as well as increased travel to ensure cosseting comfort, whether its on the highway to town or on a sand road to the game farm.
"The Mondeo driver is doesn't take life too seriously," says Mr. Hatton. "He is a confident, interesting individual who knows what he wants in life and where he is going. If he is family man they are his top priority and good value for money is important to him. He is open-minded and optimistic and he is not afraid to make a decision or purchase that is not in line with the norm.
"The new Mondeo offers a distinctively stylish alternative to our class competitors. It combines leading levels of comfort and safety and delivers an outstanding driving experience," says Mr. Hatton. "The new Mondeo takes a clear position of defined leadership in an otherwise cluttered segment through a capacity to surprise and delight, and most importantly inspire new and old customers alike.
"Added to this, since its international launch late last year, the Mondeo has scooped more awards than any other Ford model, including the highly acclaimed Ford Focus."
"The Mondeo was most recently awarded the title 'Best New Car in Europe' by Auto Europe at the Geneva Motorshow. That it won this accolade ahead of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the new Audi A4, the BMW X5 and the Alfa Romeo 147 is testimony to its outstanding pedigree.
"The Mondeo offers a value for money alternative to the traditional premium brands while embodying class leading design, safety and driving standards. With 1 year or 20 000 km service intervals, a three-year or 100 000 km mechanical warranty, and inspiring vehicle dynamics, class leading safety and reliability we are confident of the new Ford Mondeo taking the lead," concludes Mr. Hatton.
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