Ford India introduced Mondeo Ghia Duratec.The Mondeo is the first Ford to be created digitally using C3P, a Ford computer engineering tool. It is a 2 litre Ford Duratec H E engine that surpasses stringent emission standards. It is coupled with the enhanced Ford M T X-75 manual transmission defined for low shifting effort and sporty feel. Ford Mondeo has the all new dashboard, soft touch front fascia and interior environment. The 2.0-litre Duratec HE engine fitted in the Mondeo launched in India is an all aluminium in-line four unit having four valves per cylinder and a double overhead cam. The engine is rated for a maximum power output of 143bhp at 6000rpm when running on 95 octane unleaded petrol.  Even though maximum torque is 190Nm at 4500rpm, the best part is that 90 per cent of this is available throughout the rev range beginning from a low 2000rpm right up to 6000rpm.

 

Ford Mondeo’s Engineers have used a new friction-welded nylon intake manifold with equal length runners, featuring devices called charge motion control valves or simply tumble flaps. The equal length runners also have a great effect on the NVH characteristics. The stumble flaps are fitted in each of the intake runners close to the cylinder head flange. Controlled by a solenoid actuator, they are shut during light load conditions like idling, gear shifting and deceleration, to maximize combustion efficiency, fuel economy and emissions performance. The valves are fully open during higher load conditions to maximize volumetric efficiency and power output. The design of the intake manifold is further enhanced by the new air cleaner system. Featuring a supercharger-type layout, via a performance-tuned, bell-mouthed, cold-air pick-up duct at the very front of the vehicle, a large NVH-tuned resonator in the wheel-arch and organ pipes designed to selectively feed back sporty sound under high throttle conditions. Other improvements pertain to the EGR system as well as the use of stainless steel exhaust manifolds which eliminate the need for a close-coupled catalyst even to meet the stringent European Stage IV norms as well as increase fuel efficiency.

 

Duratec HE’s debut in the Ford Mondeo also marked the appearance of the new engine management computer module from Visteon-Levanta. Reflecting the quick advances in the computer industry, its speed and capacity is more than double that of its predecessor-a huge jump ahead even for the folks at Ford. It has a 32-bit Motorola MPC555 microprocessor and works via a CAN-bus to the chassis controls for the intelligent vehicle dynamics features such as ABS. The speed and capacity of the new electronics provides the ability to fine tune the engine’s performance with more extensive and sophisticated algorithms. The Duratec HE engine features an all aluminium-alloy construction and has many weight saving features that makes it 18kg lighter than the Zetec E engine it replaced. Cylinder head construction is of aluminium-silicon alloy with an asymmetrical four-valve per cylinder design. The double overhead cams are driven by a silent chain drive, actuating the valves by mechanical tappets. Though the engine itself is highly refined, it is mounted via a three-point torque-roll-axis to add to the smooth and quiet operation of the car. There are various features that enhance the life of the battery, do away with chain maintenance over the life span of the engine and increase oil service intervals to much higher levels. The engine offers excellent tractability and drivability throughout the rev range. Torque is reminiscent of an oil burner while the refinement of the engine reminds one of Japanese engineering rather than European. The MTX-75 manual transmission features an innovative cable-shift mechanism for higher efficiency and greater shifting precision.

 

Ford Mondeo achieves 100kmph in just over 10 seconds; that is just about as quick as the Mercedes-Benz E240 with its V6 engine. The petrol Mondeo is pretty frugal for a 2.0-litre luxury car returning 7.9kpl in the city and 11.2kpl on the highway. The fuel consumption does not increase much with the AC switched on and that the car is very fuel efficient at high speeds. This would be also because of its very low coefficient of drag as well as the great amount of work put in for good response to cross winds. It also shows that the engine has a good torque spread; facilitating the staying in higher gears for longer stretches both in the city as well as on the highways.

 

It has a well built and  intelligent protection system featuring adaptive dual-stage front airbags with an advanced detection system that analyses frontal crash severity, driver position plus passenger-seat occupancy, side air curtains for front and rear seat occupants as well as chest protecting airbags for front seat occupants, a collapsible pedal structure, system optimized to support a wide range of body profiles, three-point belts in all seating positions as well as ISO-fix child seat attachment point besides a host of other features. Ride quality is superb at high speeds and very good at low speeds.

 

The car has even undergone extensive testing and has as a result been imbibed with the ability to soak up the jerks from speed breakers, something that is a boon for Indian road conditions. Not only does it take speed breakers in its stride but also the undulations and bumps of the expressway, high speeds not with standing. Handling is superb and the steering gives excellent feedback at all times. The car goes around corners with a light hint of understeer which is reassuring by its presence and makes the car a joy to drive fast. The Ghia trim is luxurious but black all around is perhaps the only negative point about its interiors which are comfortable and roomy, with rear legroom being at the top of its class.

Filed under: Ford Cars in India