Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost
Ford finds a replacement for cubic displacement with its new EcoBoost-powered Mondeo ZetecQuick Spin
Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $37,740
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Nil
Crash rating: Five-star (EuroNCAP & ANCAP)
Fuel: 95 RON PULP (E10 Compatible)
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.0
CO2 emissions (g/km): 187 (EuroV)
Also consider: Mazda Mazda6 hatch; Skoda Octavia hatch
Price, Value, Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0
The new EcoBoost-powered Mondeo not only provides buyers of Ford's stylish midsizer the chance to save precious fuel, but as a precursor to the four-cylinder Falcon -- albeit with differing output figures -- makes for a very interesting drive indeed.
Aesthetically, and in terms of amenity, Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost differs little from the previous model, which could confuse buyers fronted with a $1500 increase in price. This is even more so the case with Honda and other brands heavily discounting their medium cars currently. You have to look under the bonnet to see the benefits in Mondeo. Its modern driveline presenting livelier and thriftier carriage, the day-to-day performance benefits and long-term fuel savings will pay dividends to those who've done their homework.
In a nutshell Ford's new all-aluminium 2.0-litre GDTi (gasoline turbo direct injection) engine (as its referred to internally), costs more to buy but less to run than the preceding model's 2.3-litre port-injected and normally aspirated four-cylinder. Figures stacked in parallel see the new Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost hatch deliver 149kW at 6000rpm and 300Nm at 1750-4500rpm -- 26 and 44 per cent gains respectively. The flip side is it trims 16 per cent (fuel) and 17 per cent (CO2) to register 8.0L/100km and 187g/km in the combined cycle.
However, not all of the advances are attributable to the engine. In some measure the benefits in drivability and fuel economy are the product of Mondeo's adoption of a new six-speed 'PowerShift' dual-clutch transmission. This replaces the epicyclic automatic mated to the 2.3-litre engine.
Developed in conjunction with German manufacturer Getrag, the fast-shifting unit is noticeably smoother, more decisive and ultimately more efficient than the conventional auto. It is operatable in both Normal and Sport modes, or may be shifted manually (+/-) via the stick.
On test the EcoBoost mill's throttle response was positive without being too abrupt in its initial jump from the line. The front wheels didn't scamper or spin under heavy acceleration, at least in the dry, allowing a cleaner sprint to the three-figure measure (9.3 seconds versus the 2.3-litre model's 10.5). That said there is some evidence of torque steer at wider throttle openings.
In-gear acceleration is impressive. Like many turbo engines, the Mondeo's EcoBoost has an overboost function that delivers extra torque (an extra 20Nm for a total of 320) for short periods of time. The improvement in performance is evident when viewed against the outgoing 2.3-litre atmo model. For performance fans, however, the EcoBoost doesn't quite fill the void left by the departure of the five-cylinder Mondeo XR5 Turbo and its tuneful 162kW/320Nm -- an engine good enough for 7.5 seconds 0-100km/h.
When cruising, the new EcoBoost engine is quiet and refined, and remains so when pushed. The transmission shifts seamlessly up and down the box in Drive. We did, however, notice an occasional small jolt from third to second, and second to first when the transmission was in Sport -- even in auto mode.
Like its predecessor, the Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost is a poised performer. The car remains one of the better drives in the class -- predictable and well sorted. Likewise, Mondeo's steering appropriately assisted (in terms of effort) but without losing all-important road feel. Ford's engineers just know steering...
Our experience with the new EcoBoost 2.0-litre left us cautiously optimistic for its varying applications in other Fords – the upcoming Focus ST and, shock, horror – the four-cylinder Falcon. The driveability and refinement of the EcoBoost engine in Mondeo proves that bigger isn't always better.
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