Ford: Mondeo tries Swedish rounding

Ford is trying to lure premium buyers with an impressive collection of tech wizardry on the Mondeo Titanium. Photo / Supplied

The Volvo-inspired equipment on the moderately priced Mondeo Titanium will tempt premium brand buyers.

We hear a lot about pseudo-prestige brands like Volkswagen and Volvo attempting to increase market share by attracting mainstream buyers upwards.

That's not too difficult as VW has shown with the new Passat: all you need is the right price/specification mix, and those premium qualities are certain to attract the attention of those who might otherwise have spent $50-60,000 on something with a more modest badge on the bonnet.

Luring premium-brand buyers down into the mainstream is a lot more difficult. It might well be impossible, but if any car can do it it is the facelifted Ford Mondeo.

Yes, the humble Mondeo: choice of middle managers and photocopier salespeople everywhere. Ford's Belgian-built mid-sizer might be a familiar sight, but it's always offered an outstanding driving experience that puts many more expensive models to shame - especially when powered by the 2-litre TDCi turbo diesel engine.

The top Mondeo Titanium now gets that TDCi engine, a new dual-clutch automated transmission called Powershift, and a level of standard equipment that belies its $54,990 pricetag.

Rather conveniently, that comprehensive kit-list has come courtesy of Ford's former ownership of Volvo. So, thanks to the Swedish marque, the Mondeo Titanium boasts adaptive cruise control that automatically keeps you the correct distance from the car in front, a blind-spot warning system that will tell you when there's another car in your rear three-quarter, and a lane departure warning set-up that gently vibrates the steering wheel should you stray over the white line without indicating. Plus the usual luxury-car accoutrements such as keyless entry/start, knee airbag and leather upholstery. All standard-fit. No extra to you, sir.

True, you still look like you're driving a fleet model. But from behind the wheel, you feel like you've arrived. The Titanium is available exclusively with the TDCi engine (only the base Mondeo LX now comes with petrol power) and the Powershift transmission. That in itself shows a change in attitude from Ford New Zealand: diesel engines are still not on the agenda for many of Mondeo's obvious rivals such as the Mazda6 or Toyota Camry, but are now commonplace among prestige brands.

The 120kW/340Nm powerplant is strong and the Mondeo still serves up pin-sharp steering and chassis behaviour, but there are a few foibles with Powershift. Not on paper: a dual-clutch system like this is just as efficient as a conventional manual in terms of performance and economy (an incredible 5.6 litres per 100km in the Titanium). But Ford seems to have a few issues in terms of calibration. This system feels a little lazy, shifting up early and reluctant to kick down.

However, unlike the Fiesta Powershift, the Mondeo gearbox has a manual-hold facility, and in this mode it works well: changes are just as crisp as they are in full-automatic mode, but the gearbox holds your chosen ratio until you decide to move the lever.

Even if the Titanium doesn't interest people in Peugeots, VWs and Volvos, at least those fleet and private buyers who can afford to go to the top of the Mondeo model tree can feel pretty smug that they've made an informed choice.

The bottom line:

The utterly mainstream Blue Oval badge on the bonnet might hold you back, but make no mistake: the Ford Mondeo Titanium has the high-tech equipment and handling ability to go head-to-head with the prestige brands.

Alternatives
Mazda6 Limited $50,345
Skoda Superb TDI 125 $59,990
Subaru Legacy diesel $50,990
Volkswagen Passat TDI 125 $57,500
Volvo S60 D5 AWD $71,990