COLOGNE, Germany, Oct. 7, 2014 – The all-new Ford Mondeo leverages innovative driver assist technologies, an advanced chassis structure, and high quality interior to deliver superior comfort and refinement.
Mondeo introduces in Europe Ford’s Multi-Contour Seats with unique Active Motion massage function, and new integral link rear suspension for improved ride comfort and interior noise reductions. Mondeo also offers Ford’s new SYNC 2 voice control connectivity system with 8-inch touchscreen for easy operation of phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems.
Technologies including Ford’s first adaptive LED headlamps in Europe and Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking contribute to a simplified driving experience.
“The new all-new Mondeo uses Ford’s latest innovation and technologies to deliver the most refined and user-friendly Mondeo driving experience yet,” said Ulrich Koesters, vehicle line director, Ford of Europe. “From systems that guide drivers hands-free out of parking spaces at the start of journeys to seats that deflate to allow easy exit at the end, the Mondeo is focused on the occupant from start to finish.”
Sitting comfortably
Ford Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion massage function are designed to reduce muscle fatigue for front seat occupants, particularly during longer journeys.
The 10-way adjustable seats also incorporate heating and cooling features, and use a system of 11 cushions to deliver an unobtrusive massaging effect for thighs, bottom and lower back.
Fast-responding nano-valve technology uses memory-shape metal wires the width of a human hair to control airflow in and out of individual cushions and provide the massage effect, or tailored support. The seat-base bolsters even deflate when the doors are opened for easier exit.
A team including two medical doctors developed Ford Multi-Contour Seat technology to deliver optimal performance using advanced techniques including pressure mapping, ultra-sonic posture monitoring for viewing occupant spine movement when seated, and electromyography that measures the small electrical impulses created by muscle movement.
“Mondeo will reduce muscle fatigue, aches and pains for both the driver and front passenger by keeping muscles and blood vessels stimulated with the unique wave motion,” said Jeroen Lem, research engineer, vehicle interior technology, Ford of Europe. “The advanced system monitors pressure in the individual cushions to feel like a single roller subtly stretching the back, and two intensity settings can be selected from the central touchscreen.”
Lighting the way with advanced technology
All-new Mondeo’s adaptive LED headlamps combine the daylight-mimicking light clarity of full-LED headlamps with Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System, which adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to match driving environment. The system can choose one of seven settings according to vehicle speed, ambient light conditions, steering angle, distance to the vehicle in front and windscreen wiper activation.
The all-new Mondeo will feature an advanced version of Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking, which enables drivers to detect suitably-sized parallel parking spaces and reverse hands-free into spaces parallel to the road and side-to-side with other cars.
This advanced parking feature will be supported by both Park-Out Assist, which helps drivers to exit parallel parking spaces; and Side Parking Aid, which delivers an on-screen visual representation and audible warning of obstacles to the sides of the vehicles, as well as to the front and rear.
Control climate and more with voice commands
The SYNC 2 system offered by Mondeo enables drivers to control key in-car systems using simple, natural voice commands and a high-resolution 8-inch colour touch screen. Connectivity is delivered via Bluetooth, USB and SD card ports.
Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will bring up a list of local restaurants, and the MICHELIN guide can help drivers choose where to eat. SYNC 2 will then connect users by phone to the restaurant to book a table and guide them there.
Entering a navigation address is also simplified. Rather than reciting the address in stages, users can say the full address at once, and can select music from a connected MP3 device by asking SYNC 2 to play an artist or track. Cover art is also displayed on screen with compatible players.
Customers can place hands-free phone calls with the command “Call <name>”, without first having to give the command “Phone”, while the system is in audio, navigation or another mode.
SYNC 2 also features Ford’s Emergency Assistance, which directly connects the vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident, in the correct language for the region.
“We have developed SYNC 2 so it is simple and intuitive for drivers to use, and it seamlessly
switches between touch screen and voice commands,” said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Electronic and Electrical Systems Engineering, Ford of Europe. “Drivers will be able to control more in-car systems than ever before, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”
Mondeo drivers can also control interior climate using voice commands including “Max AC” to cool down quickly, or more specific commands such as “Temperature 20 degrees”.
The all-new Mondeo’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has been fine-tuned for quieter operation. The system also helps optimise interior comfort with automatic climate control able to maintain less than one degree variation even in extreme climates, and adaptive fans that maintain a constant airflow as vehicle speed changes. Rear cabin occupants benefit from dedicated air-vents.
In addition, all-new Mondeo features an air-quality sensor that automatically switches on air recirculation when pollution is detected, and a humidity sensor that enables pre-emptive measures against flash-fogging of window interiors. Cooling from 55 degrees C to 18 degrees C in 15 minutes is best-in-class.
New chassis for improved refinement
The first model for Europe to be built on Ford’s new global CD-segment platform, the all-new Mondeo will debut Ford’s new integral link rear suspension configuration for improved refinement alongside more dynamic performance.
The new suspension design delivers the compliance required for greater comfort, while retaining lateral stiffness for enhanced steering and handling. It also allows the wheel to move rearwards on impact with bumps. This delivers improved impact absorption for a smoother ride and reduced noise levels. Self-levelling rear suspension is offered for the wagon model, maintaining optimal ride height for comfort and handling regardless of load.
Integral link rear suspension contributes to road noise reductions of around 3 decibels in the rear and 2 decibels in the front, supported by additional sound deadening material within the underbody shields, wheel arch liners and front and rear doors to block tyre noise. The number of holes within the all-new Mondeo body shell also has been reduced to minimise noise transfer.
Wind noise is reduced to levels previously only experienced in the premium segment through optimised window pillar and door mirror shape, enhanced door and window seals, and improved interior noise absorption. A wind noise level of 21.1 sone – a metric for loudness – is an 8 per cent improvement over the previous generation Mondeo. The thickness of the rear window glass is increased by 0.4 millimetres, helping reduce passing traffic noise for rear seat passengers.
More seals have been added between the bonnet and front wings, and the engine bay sound insulation changed from fibreglass to foam, contributing to a reduction of between 1.5 and 2 decibels for powertrain noise transmitted to the cabin.
Further fine tuning of handling and ride comfort is delivered with active systems including Torque Vectoring Control, Pull-Drift Compensation, Active Nibble Compensation, and Torque Steer Compensation.
The introduction of Electric Power Assisted Steering to Mondeo for the first time also enables steering weight to adapt and match the “comfort,” “normal” and “sport” chassis settings of Ford’s Continuous Control Damping. Drivers will notice a greater difference between the chassis characteristics delivered by the three settings.
“We’ve tuned the all-new Mondeo specifically to meet the needs of European drivers,” said Geert van Noyen, vehicle dynamics manager, Ford of Europe. “We went through five designs just for the rear suspensions bushes – with each taking two months – before we were satisfied, and also placed a lot of emphasis on tuning steering to deliver a smooth and fluid feel.”
Quality and convenience
Inside, Mondeo drivers are greeted by an optional 10-inch digital-analogue instrument cluster. The customisable colour display delivers animated notifications for features such as Lane Keeping Alert.
A sleek, wrap-around centre console design delivers a sporty, cockpit-like feel, and the centre console features a symmetrical design that is accessible to both the driver and the front seat passenger – as is the large, open flow-through storage bin in front of the gear selector.
A soft-touch instrument panel and flock-lined central front storage area and glovebox are representative of the high material quality and craftsmanship throughout. Chrome surrounds and accents also are delivered for the air-vents and soft touch controls.
Smart-design front seats feature a thinner seat back – enabling rear seat passengers to enjoy additional legroom without sacrificing comfort for driver and front passenger. Rear cabin occupants benefit from the light airy feel offered by an optional full-length panoramic glass roof in the Mondeo wagon.
Mondeo also will enhance comfort and convenience for drivers with features including first-in-class power-adjustable, memory-equipped steering column, as well as power tailgate and heated steering wheel.
“The all-new Mondeo offers a sophisticated suite of features and technology that enhance driving, comfort and convenience like no other car in its class,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information about Ford and its products worldwide please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual
markets and employs approximately 50,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately
69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor
Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing
facilities (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 11 unconsolidated joint venture
facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was
