Ford MONDEO TDCI 90 LX range
When it comes to cars, there are various qualities that have the potential to stir the soul and tug the heart strings. Power, speed, luxury, prestige, beauty are chief amongst them. Vehicles that display one, some or all of these facets have the capacity to bewitch buyers, rendering them insensitive to prohibitive pricing or the general unsuitability of a car to their needs. People can do some strange things in a car showroom when their emotions become entangled in the decision making process but one vehicle that isnt likely to send you into an uncontrollable impulse buying frenzy is Fords Mondeo TDCi 90.
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This isnt a vehicle to inspire the enthusiast, museums are unlikely to clamour for well kept examples when production ends and the owners club annual dinner dance will be a perennially under populated event. In no way, however, does this mean that the Mondeo TDCi 90 should be overlooked. For people seeking an economical, reliable company car or a polished and practical family vehicle that they arent interested in gazing longingly out the window at for extended periods, the TDCi 90 is well worth consideration. The engine in the TDCi 90 is a de-tuned version of the 2.
0-litre common-rail injection unit that is available in 115 and 130 form elsewhere in the Mondeo line-up. Predictably, it will deliver excellent fuel economy of close to 49mpg on the combined cycle and its also impressively clean, with just 154g/km of CO2 puffing from its tail pipe. These factors, along with the £16,495 starting price (youll pay £1,000 more for the estate) and its compliance with the Euro IV emissions regulations give a big hint as to the type of buyers Ford are targeting with this car. The Mondeo has long been a fleet favourite and the TDCi 90 is a model unashamedly tailored to the cost-cutting needs of fleet managers and company car users.
"the fleet fraternity will certainly appreciate the monetary saving that the TDCi 90 offers"
Youll already have guessed that performance is nothing to write home about and, in fact, it could scarcely justify a brief text message. The sprint from standstill to 62mph takes 12.8 seconds and theres a top speed of 112mph but while progress is noticeably more lethargic even than in the TDCi 115 model, theres still some of that characteristic mid-range diesel urge to be accessed. Fords TDCi engine is no longer among the markets most refined oil-burners with rivals having made significant steps forward on this score but once its into its stride and operating at medium to low revs, this is nothing to cause undue concern.
One thing that isnt effected by the TDCi 90s relative lack of power is the Mondeos exquisite handling. You can still get a real thrill from piloting a car that grips and turns with this much agility. The TDCi 90 is only offered in entry-level LX trim but buyers still get air-conditioning, a Quickclear heated front windscreen, electric front windows and heated door mirrors, remote central locking, a CD stereo and cruise control. The nagging sense that youre missing out on something thats common with many base models isnt present in the Mondeo LX and theres also a good number of safety features included as well.
ABS with Emergency Brake Assist features as do front, side and curtain airbags. Flick the switches, then check the quality of fit and finish. Take away the Blue Oval badge and youd probably guess at compact executive class leaders like Audis A4 maybe even BMWs 3 Series. Except, that this car isnt compact.
You dont need a tape measure to know that. In fact, theres as much space inside as Ford offered in its old flagship Scorpio, a contender from the next class up. And all of the same gadgets, niceties and safety standards. Not that this Mondeo looks big from the outside or feels it behind the wheel.
Despite the extra 150mm in length (and a huge 500-litre boot), its a car that shrinks around you, much like an Audi A4 or a BMW 3 Series. Theres plenty of stowage space around the cabin too, with perfectly-shaped homes for items like window squeeges, atlases, drinks cans, tapes, CDs, owners manuals and mobile phones. Notable options include a facia-mounted CD autochanger and a DVD video system with screens mounted in the back of the front head rests: with films or linked to a PlayStation, that should keep the kids quiet on long journeys. Private buyers may feel inclined to find the extra £500 for the TDCi 115 which yields fractionally better average fuel economy and knocks a full two seconds off the 0-62mph sprint but the fleet fraternity will certainly appreciate the monetary saving that the TDCi 90 offers. The Ford Mondeos best features are present in all the models in the range, irrespective of the engine fitted. The accomplished chassis, the high-class interior, the overall build quality, theyre all tangible even in entry-level derivatives like this one.
Buyers seeking style, flare and excitement will run a mile but people valuing more prosaic qualities you can save a pretty penny here and still secure a first class vehicle.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Ford Mondeo TDCi 90 range
PRICES: £16,495-£17,495 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 154g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.8s / Max Speed 112mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 36.7mpg / (extra urban) 61.4mpg / (combined) 48.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, twin airbag curtains, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4704/1775/1419mm
