Ford Mondeo (first generation) | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford |
Also called | Ford Contour (North America) Mercury Mystique (North America) |
Production | 23 November 1992–31 August 1996 (pre-facelift) 1 September 1996 – 1 November 2000 (facelift) |
Assembly | Belgium: Genk Mexico: Cuautitlan, Estado de México United States: Claycomo, Missouri |
Designer | 1990 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size car (D) |
Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door hatchback 5-door estate |
Platform | Ford CDW27 platform |
Powertrain | |
Engine | |
Transmission | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,704 mm (106.5 in) |
Length | 4,481 mm (176.4 in) (1993 saloon, hatch) 4,631 mm (182.3 in) (1993 estate) 4,556 mm (179.4 in) (1996 saloon, hatch) 4,671 mm (183.9 in) (1996 estate) |
Width | 1,747 mm (68.8 in) (1993 saloon, hatch) 1,745 mm (68.7 in) (1993 estate) 1,749 mm (68.9 in) (1996) |
Height | 1,372 mm (54.0 in) (saloon, hatchback) 1,391 mm (54.8 in) (estate) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor |
Ford Sierra (Europe) Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz (North America) Ford Telstar (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) |
Successor |
Ford Mondeo (second generation) Ford Fusion (Americas) Ford Taurus |
The Ford Mondeo (first generation) is a mid-size car that was produced by Ford that launched on 23 November 1992, with sales beginning on 22 March 1993. It is also known as the Mk I Mondeo; the 1996 facelift versions are usually designated Mk II. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk. In December 1992, published a section on the Mondeo, and how it would conquer rivals.
Intended as a world car, it replaced the Ford Sierra in Europe, the Ford Telstar in a large portion of Asia and other markets, while the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique replaced the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz in North America. Despite being billed as a world car, the only external items the Mondeo shared initially with the Contour were the windscreen, front windows, front mirrors and door handles. Thus, the CDW27 project turned out not to be a true world car in the sense that the original Ford Focus and newer Ford developed under the "One Ford" policy turned out to be—that being one design per segment for the world. The first generation Mondeo was replaced in 2000, by the larger second generation; in the United States and Canada, the Countour/Mystique were replaced by the Fusion and fourth generation Taurus and fourth generation Sable.
Instigated in 1986, the design of the car cost Ford US$6 billion. It was one of the most expensive new car programmes ever. The Mondeo was significant as its design and marketing was shared between Ford USA in Dearborn, and Ford of Europe. Its codename while under development reflected thus: CDW27 signified that it straddled the C & D size classes and was a "world car". The head of the Mondeo project was John Oldfield, headquartered at Ford Dunton in Essex.