All-new Ford Mondeo arrives to Bahrain

Press release, Manama, Bahrain, 26 February 2008.

The dramatic all-new Mondeo arrives in Bahrain designed to raise customers' expectations for a car in this class through a combination of style, dynamics and technology. The distinctive model, revealed at the Almoayyed Motors showroom, introduces new technical features to the Ford range and combines these with further improved driving dynamics and safety enhancements.

"Almoayyed Motors is proud to offer an award-winning, great-looking vehicle that will surely add more spark to the Ford passenger car line up," said Venkatesh Goud, Almoayyed Motors' general manager. "We are positive that with its youthful and dynamic appeal, Bahraini customers will love it."

In the Middle East, the Ford Mondeo has successfully managed to carve itself a significant position in the mid-size segment since its debut in 2002. Boasting class exclusive and segment leading features, the Mondeo has proved popular among retail and fleet sectors.

"The Ford Mondeo has always been acclaimed for its strong attributes, particularly its driving dynamics, safety performance and interior package," said Mohammed Mehio, Ford Middle East's National Sales manager for Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen. "With this remarkable new model we've taken these qualities a step further and enhanced its performance in all of these areas as well as dramatically transforming its design and quality. The new Mondeo is definitely a pleasant surprise and it promises to attract many new customers to our showrooms."

The design of the new Mondeo brings Ford's 'kinetic design' form language and philosophy to new levels, embodying all of its key elements. Together, these create a sleek and dynamic profile that represents 'energy in motion', and delivers a design presence that signals power and grace, setting it apart from other cars in the market segment. The key Ford 'kinetic design' signatures are evident in each of the distinctively different bodystyles – the classic four-door saloon, the stylish and flexible five-door wagon and the smart four-door hatchback.

The distinctive front end has chamfered corners and a deep offset between the top of the bonnet and the front wings. A muscular shoulder line runs through the side of the car to a high point at the rear. The headlamps comprise the largest surface area ever used on a Ford passenger car and feature distinctive styling cues of their own; special blue filters on the optional Halogen and Bi-Xenon Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) headlamps give gem-like qualities even when the headlamps are on the lowest sidelight illumination.

Distinctive rear lamps also feature carefully designed graphics that enhance the overall feeling of premium quality. A strong undercut line runs from the bold front wing wheel lips through the side of the car. Under this, full surfacing extends down to strong rocker panels to ensure the vehicle maintains a dynamic road presence.

The spacious interior shares the same 'kinetic design' exterior language as the exterior. The driver will enjoy the 'cockpit' driving position as the higher beltline and flow-through centre console combine to enhance the cosseted feeling for front seat occupants.

On Ghia model, a new woven headlining is used that, in a design choice to reflect the flow-through console, continues down the A-pillars to frame the front screen. Soft-touch material and ambient lighting is used extensively throughout the cabin to emphasise its quality and refinement.

The Ford Mondeo range has always offered a wide choice for customers. Optional equipment across the range includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling with fuel inhibitor to prevent misfuelling, Thatcham Cat. 1 alarm and standard features like air conditioning, 'follow-me-home' lights, trip computer and an MP3 connector socket.

Three distinct bodystyles – a classic four-door, a flexible five-door wagon and four-door hatchback – will be available in the region. For the select body style, five distinct series are available: the Core, Trend, Ghia, Ghia X and Titanium models. 

These models offer a choice of premium quality details. While the Ghia represents classic luxury, with extensive use of chrome and wood ornamentation inside, the Titanium model will appeal to those customers favouring a more contemporary, technology flavour.

Advanced new driver-focused technologies are available, and include keyless entry and keyless start with "Ford Power" start button, new Ford "Converse+" Human Machine Interface (HMI) instrument display, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, and Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control with Hill Launch Assist.

Furthermore, this new Mondeo is the first production Ford to feature the company's award-winning Easyfuel system. This guards against either petrol or diesel misfuelling at the filling pump as the fuel filler neck aperture has been specifically designed around the different sizes of fuel nozzles. Ford has engineered its system only to allow the nozzle that matches the corresponding fuel type of the car to enter the filler neck.

The Ford Mondeo has been acclaimed for its driving quality since its original introduction in European market in 1993. The new Mondeo aims to extend this reputation even further, and from the outset was developed with superior driving dynamics as a core attribute, combining a refined ride with minimal noise, vibration and harshness.

The major modifications include: 
· Wider track 
· Optimised front suspension design 
· New rear suspension design 
· Isolated rear subframe 
· Optimised steering system

Ford has specified the trusted MacPherson front suspension system for the new Mondeo incorporating features to enhance the Mondeo driving experience such as isolated subframes, control arm hydro bushings, S-shaped springs and dual path strut mounts.

At the rear a new version of the proven multi-link rear suspension design also benefits from an isolated subframe mounting system. This concept is already familiar in the Ford S-MAX "Control Blade" design and uses four links to control each wheel precisely.

New Mondeo promotes stress-free, relaxed driving through low noise levels which enables easy communication inside the vehicle and optimum use of the internal audio equipment even at high speeds.

The combined effect of all the engineering actions, in terms of noise, is a reduction of 3dB across the whole frequency range, compared with the current model. Wind noise, measured in Ford's state-of-the-art aero-acoustic wind tunnel is the lowest in its class, and reinforces the quality ambience of the interior.

The new Mondeo is available with the following petrol engines, including:
· The 2.0-litre Duratec HE 145PS petrol engine with Durashift 5-speed manual transmission. 
· A new 2.3-litre Duratec HE 161PS 4-cylinder petrol engine with Durashift 
6-speed automatic transmission.

The new Mondeo features an array of active and passive safety technologies. The basic foundation for these features is the ultra-stiff body structure, which reduces the deformation of the passenger safety cell. The new Mondeo also features a new airbag for the driver's knee area and a horizontal stroking steering column which together have further enhanced Ford's acclaimed Intelligent Protection System (IPS).

Ford's optional IVDC system improves vehicle stability and handling and reduces braking distance under all conditions through working with the ABS unit to define current road conditions and optimise the system accordingly.

CCD improves suspension performance and allows the driver to select a different suspension character. It offers three modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Additionally, the CCD interacts with the ESP system to improve the dynamic behaviour of the car and to reduce the stopping distance on rough road surfaces when ABS braking is applied.

The all-new Mondeo is part of the rejuvenated passenger car line up that Ford brings for 2008. Joining the Mondeo are the refreshed Focus (another European product with the striking kinetic design), the full-size sedan Ford Five Hundred and Fusion set to arrive in second half of the year.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

Ford Motor Company’s history in the Middle East goes back to nearly 60 years. The company’s local importer-dealers operate more than 55 facilities in the region and directly employ over 4,000 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals.

Ford Middle East is also a responsible corporate citizen in the region, with the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants, a grass-root level program that has offered USD600,000 in grants to over 75 Middle Eastern environmental projects since 2000.