Who needs Paris? 2007 Ford Mondeo spied in the buff!
So, next week in Paris, Ford's showing off the new Mondeo "Concept." Listen, we all know that it's just a thinly disguised version of the new Mondeo, and now, thanks to our amigos at Autoblog Spanish, we bring you shots of the 2007 Mondeo in production trim, as spied in the Bahamas and posted at FordEurope.net.
Judging from the photo that shows the new Mondeo being filmed by a camera truck (and the Daniel Craig look-alike behind the wheel), this appers to be the same car we'll see James Bond drive in Casino Royale.
All this does is make us wish we had the Mondeo instead of the Fusion. The Fusion's a nice-looking car, but the Mondeo bests it in just about every way, with flashier styling (in and out, if the Paris concept's cabin is an accurate indication) and nice exterior details. Take the rear diffuser, for example. While it's there for appearances mostly, a close look shows that it helps hide the ever-ugly reverse sensors that normally muck up a car's rear bumper. And look at the snazzy front end and wheels, which are almost ripped directly from the Iosis concept.
All that and it'll be available as a very sporty-looking wagon, something Ford shoppers don't have on the menu right now unless they go for the Freestyle -- not exactly a style leader, competent though it may be.
In other news, the spectacular oceanic backdrop in these photos makes us really wish we were in the Bahamas right about now...
[Source: FordEurope.net via Autoblog Spanish (translated)]
PHOTO GALLERY:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
jose luis 5:06AM (12/22/2008)
PUES ES UN MEDELO DE AUTO MUY CONFORT PERO CREO QUE EN ESTE CASO LO HICIERON UN POCO MAS AMPLIO DE LO NORMAL Y PERDIERON LA LINEA DEPORTIVA QUE LUCIA ANTE TODO
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Tommy 1:53PM (9/23/2006)
Nice looking car, for the most part. I see some saab, audi, and mazda6 in the lines, but the grill is way too much focus. maybe they're starting to figure it out...
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Design 1:59PM (9/23/2006)
Hey FORD, YOU DUMBASSES. If you sold this in the US, I'd be pulling into a FORD DEALER, not a Toyota, Nissan or Honda.
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casey 1:59PM (9/23/2006)
Bring it to North America now. Maybe Ford needs an ex Boeing employee to make the decision and justify his existence.
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Ralph 5:42PM (9/23/2006)
it DOES NOT look better than Fusion,maybe on the inside but surely not on the outside
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J 11:05PM (9/23/2006)
this is one ford that i wouldn't mind be seen driving in.
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Sid 2:04PM (9/23/2006)
You can make a lot of valid logical points about why it would be hard for Ford to bring over their European lineup to North America.
But the bottom-line simply is - if Ford does not bring their European lineup over to NA, then they actually DESERVE to be in the situation they are in.
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gkz 2:11PM (9/23/2006)
How the hell does Ford figure we would rather have the half-assed styling we get here rather than this???
It is inexcusable that Ford sells something like this in Europe and we get the 500. Gee, I wonder why Ford NA is in trouble. Why could that be?
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AutoInsights 2:15PM (9/23/2006)
Ford would not be dying here in US with offerings such as this
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james f. 2:15AM (9/24/2006)
Thats a sharp car! It makes a compelling case for doing the same thing that gms doing with the saturn line. Just bring the euro cars over badge them as mercurys(ies?) and make money. Yeah even I recall merkur was a disaster. But nowadays it would be a different story. A story that would make ford into something other than the meat and potatoes mustang and f-150. Sure the 500 and fusion are decent cars but neither are head turning conversation pieces.
Gm figured out that people hate slightly upmarket rebadged minor reskins, Why cant ford? Mercury is a languishing brand if there ever was one. As the PAG gets sold off why not bring affordable, compelling, european cars to the U.S.? This car, the euro focus(yes the rs too), hell even the ka if it gets a replacement, bring em! They would get some actual conquest sales in the states and offer an excellent counterpart to the lincolns on the same lot.
Ford is hemoraging sales wise so why not spend some of cash, while they still have it, fedralize the euro fords bring them here as mercurys. In the process create a legitimite scion, mini, subaru and volkswagen fighting brand that the kids would like and the adults would buy.
Otherwise just kill off mercury and hope gas prices somehow drop.
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Ron Jones 2:21PM (9/23/2006)
WOW... just WOW!!! PLEASE Ford, make a truly "BOLD" move. Discontinue the Fusion, slide in the Mondeo in it's place with the FORD nameplate, and continue to sell the Milan and Zephyr/MKZ as they are (which are DAMN FINE automobiles I might add... much more attractive than the Fusion in every way). We don't need/want 3 flavors of the Ford Fusion, OK? The Fusion spells cheap to your consumers and that's not what we want.
I seriously cannot imagine why anyone would buy a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry over this car.
WE WANT THE MONDEO FORD!!! And if by some miracle you do bring over the Mondeo (or other Ford Europe vehicles), do NOT cheapen/change them up on us. Americans are sophisticated people, why do you think we are buying Toyota's? We have no other choice. It's certainly not for the styling! My god, the styling is just wretched. I hope you are reading this.
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Fabri91 2:22PM (9/23/2006)
I live in europe, i love it...we can make a deal: you get the mondeo, and we get the mustang.
OK?
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Jason 2:28PM (9/23/2006)
Hi Ford. Thanks for only offering the North American market the ugly, stale, bottom-feeding crap of your product line. Happy bankruptcy.
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Lee Gibson 2:36PM (9/23/2006)
That is not a bad looking car. Put some good running gear in it and let me test drive it.
Oh, it's Europe only? Never mind, Ford. Let me know when you start competing and stop whining about how hard it is to make cars.
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Mike 2:31PM (9/23/2006)
It makes me want to cry when I see the yummy cars the Euro's are getting while here in the US all we get is the Edge? Ford, now hear this! Scrap the crap! Give us the Euro stuff! We have money and we're not afraid to spend it!
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DPC car videos 3:40PM (9/23/2006)
Nice car, why can't we get these cars in the US.
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cars 2:35PM (9/23/2006)
Yeah, the car is amazing. Fantastic !
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
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Aki 2:37PM (9/23/2006)
Very nice looking car.
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DJ 2:38PM (9/23/2006)
This is easily the BEST looking Ford mid-size car ever! If Ford really wants to turn things around, then KILL OFF the entire domestic car line-up, except the Mustang and replace them with their European counterparts.
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Paul Guinnessy 2:56PM (9/23/2006)
Yes, but remember that in Europe this car would cost about $27,000, and lets face it, although you all claim you would buy this car if it was in the US, you wouldn't unless it cost less than the Honda Accord. The question is, how come Honda, WV etc.. import their cars from Europe and still make money? If Ford knew the answer to that, perhaps they could bring it over. (comment by a European who stupidly bought a Ford Focus six years ago, believing it was the same car as the one he drove in Europe).
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