Emphatically

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Lighter, quieter, more powerful, more economical - Ford is offering a new top diesel engine for the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy. We drove the turbo diesel in the Mondeo.

By Jürgen Wolff

Prof. Rudolf Menne, head of research at Ford Europe and head of the in-house research center in Aachen, is a soberly calculating scientist. What impresses him above all are numbers. And with them he can shine well with the new diesel unit. The new unit, which Ford and PSA (Peugeot, Citroen) developed under the leadership of the Aachen engineers and which is built by PSA in Tremery, France, weighs just 200 kilograms. 200 kilos is relatively little for a 2.2 liter diesel. From the depths of its four cylinders it draws 129 kW / 175 PS - 35 PS more than the most powerful diesel in the Mondeo with its two-liter displacement. In addition, there is a full maximum torque of 400 Nm, which starts at 1750 rpm. is applied. In overboost, even 420 Nm can be called up for a short time.

Moderate additional price

The extra price for the extra performance is relatively moderate: Compared to the 2.0-liter TDCi with 140 hp, which will remain in the range, the new Duratorq costs 1,250 euros more. And the additional consumption is limited. On average, the 2.0-liter diesel consumes 5.9 liters per 100 km, the new 2.2-liter compression-ignition engine needs 6.2 liters. If you break down the consumption a bit, the picture looks better: When driving overland, both use 4.9 liters according to the DIN method. The city makes the difference: there the smaller diesel is content with 7.6 liters while the new one swallows 8.4 liters. A touring car above all - which also corresponds to the main clientele of the Mondeo, which often drives as a business car.

A first test drive provides a reason why the consumption values only differ in the inner city despite significantly more power: the new diesel needs to be switched and turned diligently in city traffic. Unlike expected and also praised by Ford, the elasticity in the engine speed cellar is below 1700 rpm. rather modest: when there are few tours, the diesel quickly begins to complain and clearly begins to stumble - until it gets one gear less and more gas. Otherwise, the progress is clearly noticeable, which Ford has achieved above all with a new common rail direct injection system from Bosch and a turbocharger whose variable turbine geometry has been more precisely matched to the electronic accelerator pedal. The common rail injection has piezo injectors and seven-hole injection nozzles,which injects the fuel with a pressure of up to 1800 bar much finer and with six partial injections per work cycle.

Driving pleasure guaranteed

The driving behavior is correspondingly lively - objectively and subjectively, and apart from the aforementioned displeasure with low speeds. The Mondeo sprint from 0 to 100 km / h with the new diesel in 8.7 seconds, and the propulsion does not stop until 223 km / h. The Mondeo is not on its own, however. Its fiercest competitor, the VW Passat 2.0 TDI, has exactly the same driving values at 325 euros more than the base price - and the same consumption.

The Mondeo diesel is always fun and safe. Overtaking maneuvers are quickly ticked off, especially since the overboost function provides an additional kick and the 6-speed manual transmission supports the engine precisely and perfectly. Fast serpentine journeys or long inclines on the motorway - the Mondeo masters everything without any problems and despite its 2.2 tonnes gross vehicle weight. In addition, there is the well-known sovereign chassis, which makes winding as well as long distances a pleasure.

15 percent for a new engine

Ford estimates that almost 15 percent of all Mondeo customers will choose the new engine. The entry-level price for the hatchback Mondeo in the Trend equipment version starts at 28,500 euros, the station wagon starts at 1,000 euros more expensive. The sporty, elegant Titanium S equipment line is new as a top package with a styling package, bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights, electrically adjustable sports seats and a number of other amenities. The hatchback version comes refined in this way to 33,500 euros, the station wagon to 34,500 euros. Particle filter and overboost included.