Ford UK have sent MotorMartin a missive recently regarding their Mondeo and the fact that they are updating the established Mondeo line-up with new sports and luxury models aimed at both fleet and private buyers which will come as good news to Ford fans looking for a more mature drive than some models in Ford’s current line up.
The former seven series making up the Mondeo range, Ford say, will be simplified to five with the new Zetec Edition becoming the entry level Mondeo, now priced at £19,445. Pretty good I reckon.
From Zetec Edition, Mondeo buyers have the choice of either prioritising the sporty specification of the existing ST-Line and new ST-Line Edition, or the luxury credentials of the new Titanium Edition model and range-topping Vignale.
Ford UK have explained to MotorMartin that all five models have navigation, DAB, autonomous braking to mitigate or avoid low-speed collisions at under 31mph, front/rear parking sensors and cruise control with speed limiter as standard. ST-Line series introduce extras including front, rear and side body styling, lowered sports suspension, Ford Power start button and darkened headliner. Privacy glass and 19in rock metallic alloy wheels are added on the ST-Line Edition.
The new Titanium Edition, which includes a hybrid petrol engine with 92g CO2 among its powertrains, boasts premium leather heated seats, with front 10-way power adjustment. Since launch in Mondeo in 2015, Vignale has grown to represent 13 per cent of orders. At the start of this year a Vignale Nero appearance pack was introduced – comprising 19in dark tarnish alloys and darkened fog lamp bezels, lower grille and side strips – and now becomes standard Mondeo Vignale specification.
Over 85 per cent of Ford Mondeos are driven by professionals as a company or lease car, meaning that they pay a “benefit in kind” tax based on its OTR (on the road) price. To minimise tax liability, OTR prices are reduced by £3,000 (on Vignale), £2,500 (on Zetec and ST-Line Editions) and £2,000 (on Titanium Edition) – meaning savings of up to £720 over three years (on ST-Line Edition 2.0 TDCi 150PS, for 40 per cent tax payer) plus £300 on the employer’s fleet National Insurance costs.
Not surprisingly, these prices translate into keen lease rates for a higher specification car, thanks to improved residual values for the updated range according to CAP. Ford Lease monthly payments for the Titanium Edition 2.0 TDCi 150PS five door are maintained at £258 over three years.
Favoured by private buyers, Ford UK have confirmed that the Mondeo ST-Line is priced just £3,500 above the entry level Zetec Edition at £22,945.
Owen Gregory, Ford of Britain fleet director, shared with MotorMartin that: “We know Mondeo customers want their cars to stand out. This has propelled Mondeo drivers from core series to distinctly sporty and luxury-looking models. Making this easier and more affordable takes Mondeo into 2018 in style.”
And you can’t disagree with that.
Where will you go?