Ford UPDATES The Mondeo, Is THIS What The Taurus Should Have Been?

At an automotive press event, of course there are conversations about autos. Some are good, some are bad and some get downright nasty.

But it is always interesting to hear what another thinks are the best and worst drives of the year.

One well-known writer -- who shall not be named -- and I struck up conversation about the "new" Ford, particularly the Taurus SHO. And, we agreed!

The SHO's this boat-like vehicle that you would expect to have a massive amount of interior room; somehow, it doesn't. It all disappears through some sort of illusion Criss Angel can't even figure out. Then there is the overly bouncy suspension. OR how about the peculiarly off-putting steering that provides no feedback for a few degrees then sharpens up out of no where? How about the interior materials, which are par at best?

The list goes on, and on and on.

We both had heard such tremendous things about the SHO and were expecting this beastly vehicle. We both walked away disappointed and surprised the auto industry's critics did not harpoon this car.

With this anecdote in mind, I just came across the updated Mondeo. And after my underwhelming Taurus experience I can only wonder how much better the Mondeo is.

Do YOU think the Mondeo is what the U.S. market has been wanting all along, they just don't know it yet?


Ford has put the Mondeo under the knife! With styling updates, a more luxurious interior, new engines and technology, the blue oval’s family saloon – set to debut at the Moscow motor show in August – has been completely overhauled.

On the outside, the Mondeo gets new front and rear bumpers, a gaping lower trapezoid grille with chrome highlights and LED daytime running lights.

Ford is aiming for a premium feel on the inside, with new trim materials across the range, a new centre console design and LED courtesy lights. The Mondeo gets a new sat-nav system and a new sound system option with a 265-watt, eight-channel amp and 17-litre subwoofer...

[Source: AutoExpress]








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dumpsty - 6/25/2010 10:49:18 AM

+3 Boost

Making the next-gen Taurus a mid-sizer wouldn't have been a bad idea. That would have made the newest/existing Taurus the next-gen Crown Vic or newly named model. It would've worked. But the Fusion would also have to get small too, and so forth down the Ford car lineup.

The Taurus really had to grown in size to adequately fit the Fusion & Focus in their perspective categories. I initially thought that the Fusion was going to replace the Focus, but the Focus still lives on.

LACMAN - 6/25/2010 11:35:55 AM

-2 Boost

Ford should really bring this car to the US but as what!?!?

vvelez - 6/25/2010 11:47:20 AM

+3 Boost

as the mondeo ive been wanting this czr in the us for the longest

Whelan - 6/25/2010 12:08:03 PM

+3 Boost

Ford will bring it to the US as the next generation Fusion.

vvelez - 6/25/2010 12:09:28 PM

+1 Boost

I really hope so its just a sexy car

91z4me - 6/25/2010 1:09:39 PM

-1 Boost

vvelez,

You do know that Ford DID bring the Mondeo to the US right? It was dumbed down sold as the Contour and Mystique.

Agent00R - 6/25/2010 2:09:03 PM

+1 Boost

@vladyyxa

Yes, you have a point. The Taurus IS technically a full-size due to its exterior size. But MANY mid-size vehicles have A LOT more interior volume.

**Note: I am not speaking by numbers and measurements, merely my experience with the Taurus.

vvelez - 6/25/2010 6:58:40 PM

+2 Boost

@91z4me

Does that mean the Mondeo released as the contour is this Mondeo??? and also who wants a dumbed down version? I want the actual fully loaded badass lookin Mondeo.

91z4me - 6/25/2010 9:44:15 PM

-1 Boost

vvelez,

No it isn't this Mondeo, the Contour was based on the version that went on sale around 1995. The interior was dulled down and I think the suspension was softened but it basically was the Mondeo.

vvelez - 6/26/2010 12:41:26 AM

+2 Boost

@91z4me

So since it wasn't this Mondeo and it wasn't the fully loaded Mondeo either has this Mondeo ever been introduce into the US? That's what I was stating... I've been waiting to hear news of this particular Mondeo to be introduced to the US market.

Whelan - 6/25/2010 12:05:20 PM

-1 Boost

This makes no sense as the Mondeo is comparable to the Fusion. the Taurus is full size and not competitive with the Accord or Camry. The Fusion is, and therefore this is a better glimpse of the 2011/12 Ford Fusion. Has focus-esque lines and I like it.

Agent00R - 6/25/2010 2:24:38 PM

+1 Boost

Keep in mind this is not to be taken literal. It's more "should they have made the Taurus MORE like the Mondeo..."

Ab311 - 6/25/2010 12:48:26 PM

+1 Boost

As recent car news has stated...The next gen. Mondeo will be another global car and sold in the US as the next Fusion.

vvelez - 6/27/2010 10:44:27 AM

+1 Boost

Id ride in it in whichever circumstance.

LexSucks - 6/25/2010 12:56:23 PM

0 Boost

If this is a European Ford then the U.S will never see it. Americans aren't really into nice cars, Just reliable ones.

91z4me - 6/25/2010 9:45:51 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah I think you are wrong. The 1st gen Focus was the same in the US and Europe and the upcoming Focus is the same in both as well.

quizz - 6/25/2010 2:33:22 PM

-1 Boost

Americans like to have a "full sized" sedan in their line up. Car rental fleets need a "Taurus" sized car for the 300 lbs. sales force; remember, the U.S. has the HIGHEST percentage of overweight people in the world.

Occarnut - 6/25/2010 3:02:27 PM

+1 Boost

Add some good content and sell it as a Lincoln...accomplishes two things..gets a hot car into the Lincoln line and allows Lincoln to have at least one offering that Cadillac does not have.

pennfootball - 6/25/2010 4:39:30 PM

+3 Boost

I would rather have that then a Hyundai Sonata, or Toyota whatever and Honda bland

lewishamiltonpimp - 6/25/2010 6:10:45 PM

+2 Boost

While they don't share the same platform, the US Fusion and the Mondeo are basically the same size. Smaller than a Taurus.

This will be the next US Fusion (the Euro Fusion is small ugly wagon).

OBSERVER1984 - 6/25/2010 7:03:39 PM

+1 Boost

Mondeo is one of the bestselling Ford's nameplates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_bestselling_models

So if they bring it to the USA, should they keep the name!

nguyenvuminh - 6/26/2010 12:21:22 AM

+3 Boost

Firstly, I think Ford should continue with the recent practice of bringing Ford Euro cars to the US market with minimal changes. Secondly and this is a question, do you know why Ford would change the name of the same car? I understand some named don't carry over well but Focus and Mondeo aren't too bad so why would Ford changes the name. If someone has insight, it would be good to hear.

rubenkincaid - 6/26/2010 5:27:04 AM

+1 Boost

I had a Mondeo estate in Denmark last year on a couple of occasions and thought it was great. Good to see Ford having a more global lineup, and would like to see it here, but the Fusion seems to fit that bill already.
It would probably be easier to have one simple lineup worldwide. Why not?

tango - 6/26/2010 1:41:04 PM

0 Boost

@ nguyenvuminh: Sometimes there are cultural issues in areas that we are not aware of that affect names. Case in point, What you know as the Mitsubishi Montero was called the Pajero in many English speaking countries (except England where it was called the Shogun). It could never have been called the Pajero in North America because that includes Mexico. In Spanish-speaking countries a Pajero is slang for somebody who spends a lot of time with himelf, if you cath my drift. Totally unacceptable when you're trying to sell a truck (or anything else for that matter). There could also be copyright issues as well.