Ford has started accepting orders for the new generation Mondeo in China, with prices starting from ¥ 159,800 (US$ 25,069). Surprisingly, despite introducing significant upgrades on design, powertrain, and technology, the new Ford Mondeo is cheaper than its predecessor in the Chinese market.
More specifically, the entry-level 2022 Ford Mondeo EcoBoost 245
Fashion at ¥ 159,800 (US$ 25,069), is a full ¥ 33,000 (US$ 5,178) cheaper than the
equivalent but less powerful 2020 Ford Mondeo EcoBoost 180 Fashion which was offered
for ¥ 192,800 (US$ 30,251). Even at the top of the range, the flagship 2022 Ford
Mondeo EcoBoost 245 ST-Line is listed for ¥ 219,800 (US$ 34,487), which is ¥ 7,000
(US$ 1,098) less than the 2020 Ford Mondeo EcoBoost 200 Luxury that sold for
¥ 226,800 (US$ 35,584).
The Mondeo incorporates Ford’s latest
design language with an aerodynamic body measuring 4,935 mm in
length. All trims come standard with LED lights, with three out of the four
getting a duo-tone treatment with a black roof. The base Fashion is fitted with
17-inch wheels, against the 18-inch of the Deluxe and the 19-inch of the
Extreme and ST-Line. The latter is further distinguished by the sporty bodykit
which looks nice although it doesn’t translate to more performance.
Inside, the massive 27-inch 4K
touchscreen, and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard equipment in
the Deluxe, Extreme, and ST-Line as a prominent feature of the new generation.
The entry-level Fashion gets a more modest 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while it comes with manual seats with
simple fabric upholstery, and single-zone climate control (dual-zone in the
other trims). In terms of ADAS, the ST-Line gets the full Ford Co-Pilot 360
suite bringing Level 2+ autonomous capability, the Extreme and Deluxe come
short of certain features while the Fashion loses everything for a more basic
approach.
All Mondeo variants are fitted with a
turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 235 hp and 376 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels
through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, allowing a top speed of 220 km/h. The same powertrain is also used in the Ford Evos and Lincoln Zephyr
which are also based on the same C2 architecture. Like the aforementioned
models, the Mondeo comes standard with McPherson struts at the front and
multi-link rear suspension.
The Ford Mondeo is a China-only affair
since the automaker decided to retire the nameplate in Europe, and discontinue
the Fusion in North America. Production is already well underway from Changan
Ford in China, with the first examples having reached the Chinese dealerships
as suggested by local media.