The trapezoidal spoiler air intake is most likely to remain unchanged as it is already featured on the new Ford S-Max. Sizes will grow considerably in comparison with the previous Mondeo; therefore, comfort is expected to improve as well.

Rumors are that the new Ford medium model will also be available in some completely new body styles, all sharing the same platform. Probable are a Mondeo fastback, sedan, station wagon and cabriolet. Also probable is a coupe (two-door or four-door), as a replacement for the Cougar, discontinued in 2001. For future development are considered the D-Max (small MPV with 5 seats) and the E-Max (big MPV with 7 seats) using the same technical basis.

It is very likely that the next Mondeo ST will feature the turbo variant of the five-cylinder engine with up to 300 bhp. Other than that, the rest of the engine range will offer no surprises. The petrol engines will include the new 1.8-liter SCi engine with direct petrol injection and 130 bhp, the-2 liter (145 bhp) and 3-liter V6 with 204 bhp.

Diesel available power units will most likely include the 2-liter (136 bhp) developed together with PSA and the 2.2-liter offering 155 bhp. Another novelty for the Mondeo will be the new electro-hydraulic steering system, first used on the C-MAX that sharpens the steering response, but also helps to save fuel.

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The current model is beginning to reach the end of its lifespan, set to be replaced by a car, if the concepts are to be believed, that will bring back that wow factor. The current Ford Mondeo is beginning to look its age now, regardless of nips and tucks many younger more contemporary rivals make it look a little ordinary and plain old.

The ST benefits from a subtle body kit including some nice large-spoked alloy rims and mesh grilles that complement in particular the Performance Blue paintwork. The lights, front and rear, and nicely detailed too. The Mondeo’s interior is comfortable and spacious with generous accommodation for four adults and all their luggage, or indeed a family of five.

The driving position is excellent and the sports steering wheel is great to hold. The part-leather trimmed seats (heated for those cold winter mornings) are supportive, so much so that a five-hour stint at the wheel can be broken by discomfort caused by hunger rather than the need to stretch.

It isn’t the most intuitive system to use and at £1,750 (including the internal 6 CD changer) is a luxury many can do without, particularly when a 6 CD changer is standard fitment on the ST anyway. Most of the vehicles are fitted with Park Assist, metallic paint and Bluetooth phone compatibility. These extras took the reasonable £22,795 list price up to an entirely more serious £25,850 verging on premium brand territory.

Four cylinders totalling 2.2-litres of swept volume provide 151bhp with a nice fat torque curve peaking at 266lb.ft at 1800rpm, although this is accentuated further with an overboost facility that pushes this figure up to a heady 295lb.ft temporarily.

Six sensibly spaced ratios, swapped via a nice slick shift, ensure the diesel’s raison d’être (fuel economy) is excellent. Flat out figures show a decent turn of pace with a nigh on 140mph maximum and a 0-60mph time in the mid eight second bracket.

These numbers may not be overly impressive in isolation but the torquey nature of the engine means that in normal driving the ST is deceptively quick; quicker than the bear figures suggest it should feel, pulling with alacrity from 1700rpm or so right through the speed range. It’s perfectly possible to make rapid progress short shifting through the ‘box with fast A and B-road motoring a real strength, as is the motorway cruise.

Only on twisty give and take B-roads with lots of second gear corners does the ST TDCi fail to be overtly sporty-natured as second and third gears tend to be slightly too short or long respectively. I found myself using third rather than grabbing a gear mid corner. It makes for smoother progress but takes a slight edge off the sporting experience.

The Ford Mondeo may now be showing its age in some key areas but the competition still hasn’t closed the gap dynamically. With a new model looming on the horizon rivals must be shifting slightly uneasily in their seats.

If Ford addresses the weaknesses in the package it may well have an all-rounder capable of justifying the price tag. As an everyday proposition the diesel TDCi version probably outpoints the ST220; it still has much of the real world capability and travels a not insignificant twice as far on each gallon of fuel.

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