Many Ford fans were sad to see the fall of the Sierra back in the early ’90s; the Mondeo “World Car” lacked the wow factor that its predecessor had been given at launch. What the Mondeo did have, however, was an engaging range of dynamic capabilities alongside room and practicality. It was a big step up from the Sierra and has sold by the million over the last 14 years since its arrival.
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The late eighties were the time of hot hatch nirvana with the pocket rocket being the ultimate wheels for those in their twenties and car to aspire to for those who couldn’t yet drive. Ford’s XR and RS lines had a grip on the market like no other.
Sold as performance for the common man, each big-selling range had an XR or RS model sat at the top of the tree. All was well and decent performance was accessible to all and we took such things for granted.
With the 2007 Car of the Year, the Ford S-MAX taking all the headlines and new, it’s easy to fbypass that Ford also makes a more conventional people-car, the Ford Galaxy. Where the S-MAX is low, sporty and stylish, the Galaxy is tall and conventional, an old-school MPV.
The Ford Galaxy in 2.0 TDCi Ghia trim has a 2-litre diesel engine that only produces 141bhp, but backs this up with 251lb.ft of torque. On the road, this engine feels punchy. Combined with a typically Ford slick six-speed gearbox, the Galaxy can be rowed along at quite a pace.
The Ford Five Hundred sedan can carry nearly 30 percent more power and boasts a new look inside and out for the 2008 model year. On sale by summer 2007, the Five Hundred features a new front end, more horsepower and torque thanks to a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a new six-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive system and safety upgrades that include Ford’s available AdvanceTrac electronic stability control system. Structural upgrades to further improve crash protection include reinforcements in the footwell area and new interior door panels.
The most realistic concept is the Ford Interceptor four-door muscle car. It gets the striking chrome grille treatment from last year’s Super Chief concept, but it’s surprisingly understated overall. The low roofline and broad shoulderline lend a powerful, toned look and it’s not hard to imagine something like this on the road before too long.