Home Test Drives & Reviews Ford Mondeo EcoBoost – 240PS version reviewed

Ford Mondeo EcoBoost – 240PS version reviewed

Test Drives & Reviews

by Kon - Jul 10, 2012

Even in its original 203PS configuration, the Ford Mondeo EcoBoost was already boasting class-leading outputs amongst its rivals. It was also very attractively-priced at RM179,888, proving to be far superior value to the 2.3-litre model that it replaced. Despite the Mondeo’s lukewarm popularity, there really was little wrong with the package, and you wouldn’t think any tweaking was needed.

After less than a year in the market, Ford decided to adopt the bigger-is-better mantra, and as a result, the Mondeo is now even better endowed with its 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine tuned to make a whopping 240PS @ 6,000rpm and 340Nm @ 1,750 – 4,500rpm. This is the same setting that Volvo offers in its T5 models, and it is similarly applied to the S-Max as well.

What’s New?

Equipment-wise, this new Mondeo 240PS adds little to what was already offered on the admittedly generous 203PS model. Other than the new Sony head unit, which distinctly resembles the set found the in the older 2.3 model, changes from the 203 are mainly restricted to trim materials and aesthetics. The Alcantara leather seats from the 203 has been swapped out and replaced with full Ebony hide, there’s a new body kit and alloy rims to boast about, but that’s about it.

It is priced at RM193,888, so you are in essence paying a premium of RM14,000 for an additional 37 horses. At this stage, many of you would say, hey, 194 grand is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a Ford. Add depreciation into consideration, and also being reminded of the fact that almost everything else in the D-segment is more affordable, you wonder if there is any good reason to consider the Mondeo at all.

Honeycomb front grille another aesthetic differentiation from the 203PS model.

On the Road

Well, there is, and if driving dynamics matter to you, you certainly should not dismiss the Mondeo – powerful engine not withstanding, the Mondeo boasts, quite possibly, the best sorted front wheel drive chassis setup in the business. Ride comfort, directional sharpness, response to inputs, and feedback from controls, are all expertly calibrated delivering a driving experience that is sweet, satisfying, and not to mention highly interactive.

Point the Mondeo’s nose into a fast sweeping corner, and you’ll just be amazed at how finely poised and balanced it feels. Understeer is almost non-existent, and grip reserves are impressively high, a fact that is reassuringly communicated to the driver through the electro-hydraulic assisted steering that proved extremely rich in feedback. Impressive how another significant increase in engine power has once again done nothing to upset the Mondeo’s inherent chassis balance.

Despite its size, the Mondeo is a very agile vehicle. Handling is exceptional.

What’s even more satisfying to note is how the Mondeo’s impressive handling prowess comes without any notable sacrifice in its ride quality. No doubt the suspension displays the typical firmness associated with European setups, but Ford’s spring and damper ratings are spot on in absorbing harshnesses caused by potholes and undulations. The Mondeo is due for a full model change next year, and it is indeed difficult to imagine how this superbly-honed setup be improved by any significant margin.

The solid foundations upon which Ford builds the Mondeo makes it one of the more reassuring means for you to safely harness the power of 240 horses under its hood, channeled through the front end, no less. There is detectable turbo lag if you bury the throttle at near-idling revs, but once that subsides, and it subsides quickly, acceleration is impressively rapid and more than enough to outstrip many German alternatives twice as expensive – anything south of a BMW 328i will not have a chance of staying ahead.

The Mondeo has more than enough power to pull clear on a straightline

Verdict

The Mondeo’s exceptional dynamic talents make it more of a cut-price alternative to German compact sedans rather than a pricier option in the Japanese-dominated D-segment market. It might actually have been a better idea to retain the 203PS model as a cheaper entry-point into the Mondeo range, and add this 240PS variant into the line-up as a go-faster alternative.

As it stands, with only the 240PS model to choose from, the Mondeo’s appeal is limited to a very small set of buyers willing to pay a slight premium for their driving enjoyment. It is, however, a premium that is most certainly worth paying. It is not often that I return a test car wishing I didn’t have to do so.