Although it was a little late, it was time to come. On January 17, the new generation of Mondeo was officially launched in China.
Unlike any previous generation of Mondeo, the new generation of Mondeo exudes a "Chinese flavor" all over its body.
On the one hand, the development of new cars is carried out by the Design Center in Shanghai, and on the other hand, the new generation of Mondeo is produced at the Changan Ford plant.
As the ace product of Ford's global models, the new generation of Mondeo has sold more than 10,000 yuan a month since it landed in the Chinese market in 2004 with its sporty shape, good power performance and stable chassis.
New platform
It is worth noting that the new generation of Mondeo is the front-drive platform C2 platform architecture, which is the same platform as the Lincoln Z sedan developed by Lincoln specifically for the Chinese market.
Models introduced on the C2 platform architecture also include the Ford Edge, the Ford Bronco Sport (the non-hardcore off-road model), and the Ford Maverick pickup.
The new platform also allows the new generation of Mondeo to have new specifications.
In terms of the original vehicle size, the new generation of Mondeo has also made bold improvements: 4935mm long, 1875mm wide, 1500mm high, and a wheelbase of 2945mm.
I have to say that purely from the wheelbase specifications of the new generation of Mondeo is full of sincerity and imperative, such a wheelbase performance has surpassed the traditional B-class car, and even has entered the category of D-class cars.
The larger wheelbase, the greater the space, and the high probability will be the new selling point of the new generation of Mondeo.
New design
If you want to reinvent the classic, you must comply with user demands.
Maurizio Tocco, Chief Designer of Ford Motor, said: "We want to be able to pass on the successes of the new generation of Mondeo products in past generations and take the consumer experience to a whole new level." The starting point of product design is always the customer experience, with creative solutions, people's needs and ideas are perfectly integrated into the design of the product. ”
While inheriting the essence of Ford's original design, the new generation of Mondeo has boldly adopted a new design language, the body shape is dynamic, and a lot of effort has been made in humanized experience and technology interaction, which makes the new generation of Mondeo's design language further in line with the current Chinese consumer trend aesthetics.
If you see the new generation of Mondeo for the first time, it's clear that the car designers want to blend Ford's new Mustang with the great elements of evos models.
The front face of the new car has a mecha feel, and the strong modeling line and three-dimensional shape that continue from the front face of the cover, with split headlights, penetrating LED strips, and a bold and exaggerated front grille, highlight the atmospheric stretch of the Ford family. More catering to consumers is that the decorative blocks on the front grille can be adjusted electrically to adjust the angle.
The dynamic exterior design of the four-door coupe starts with the forward-leaning posture of the front of the car in the wind and sharp. The side modeling line of the flowing clouds and waters shows the flexible and powerful three-dimensional muscle beauty of the car body by taking advantage of the light and shadow.
While the all-new Mondeo still maintains the layout of the sedan, the rear windshield angle design is more daring, and the rear draws heavily on the elements of Ford's classic Ponycar Mustang.
In particular, the short tail design with a small tail wing, the sense of layering is very strong, with the newly improved three-row upright LED light group, the optical aesthetic is full, and there is a Sense of Vision of Ford Mustang. Paired with a very full and muscular body side structure, the powerful feeling of movement is immediately enhanced.
Interestingly, in the lower part of the bumper, the new generation of Mondeo has added two huge decorative chrome exhaust ports, which are more exaggerated.
Although the real exhaust pipe is under the bumper, the user's visual view is obvious about the strong displacement of the new car.
This car also has some interesting designs, such as the way the trunk door is opened, and the touch car logo method is used, is it very novel?
New challenges
After careful tasting, and then compared with the previous generation of models, we can not help but find that the previous generation of Mondeo has a strong American and European charm, from the body lines and profiles, you can feel the full sculptural tension.
The new generation of Mondeo, various elements piled up, and the designer overemphasized the side lines, the proportion of each module boldly exaggerated use, may lose a part of the relatively conservative Chinese users.
After all, most of the consumers of the previous generation of Mondeo are the successful middle-aged male group of the post-70s and post-80s generation in China.
Unfortunately, detailed powertrain information has not yet been obtained, but the "245" logo pasted from the body is most likely Ford's 2.0GDIt engine, with a maximum power of 180kW, and the transmission is expected to use the 8AT scheme, which is also the standard configuration of the Ford C2 platform.
At present, Ford has not revealed whether the new generation of Mondeo has plans to enter the US or European markets in the future.
We all know that there are no sedans to sell in the Ford U.S. market, and if the new generation of Mondeo is sold back to the United States, then it is definitely a decision for Ford that only benefits and no harm.
As for Europe, it is currently in full swing to transform to new energy, which should be the biggest obstacle to the new generation of Mondeo, and I am afraid that it is also an important reason for Ford's delay in introducing a new generation of Mondeo to Europe.
But through the new generation of Mondeo, we see Ford's determination to change. And isn't that what Ford lacks at the moment?