Rumours of the Ford Mondeo’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, it seems.
With the blue oval’s well publicised financial difficulties, particularly in Europe, and the popularity of SUVs, speculation was rife Ford was set to kill off one of its most popular cars of all time.
The model that coined the term Mondeo Man during the first years of Tony Blair’s government is not dead yet, however.
Indeed, Ford is moving with the times and announcing a hybrid model of the Mondeo estate.
The brand said that the new estate will enable customers who require greater load-carrying capability to benefit from the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain in many driving scenarios, while maintaining the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine.
Ford will release full specification and pricing for the new Mondeo Hybrid range – which will deliver attractive fuel efficiency and CO2 emission performance – closer to its 2019 on-sale date.
However, the carmaker did say that the Mondeo Hybrid range will “deliver attractive fuel efficiency and CO2 emission performance, and a compelling alternative to diesel power trains for fleet and private customers “
The hybrid combines an 2.0-litre petrol engine, which develops 187hp. with an electric motor.
A 1.4 kWh lithium-ion, air-cooled, recyclable battery is located behind the rear seats.
Regenerative braking technology captures up to 90 per cent of the energy normally lost during braking to replenish the battery.
There are a number of different driving does available on the Hybrid car including a pure electric mode as well as a hybrid and combustion engine only modes.
The Mondeo hybrid will be made at Ford’s factory in Valencia, Spain, and will be in UK dealerships in spring 2019.
jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk