Remember the Ford Mondeo? A beloved sedan that cruised the roads of Europe and the UK? Well, while it may be gone in those parts of the world, it's making a big comeback in China! But with a twist – it's not quite the same Mondeo you might remember.
Ford, working with their Chinese partner Changan Ford, decided to give the Evos crossover a makeover. They saw an opportunity to reignite interest in the Mondeo name and went for it! So, the Evos has been reborn as the Mondeo Sport, a name that clearly hints at its close family ties to the classic Mondeo sedan. But that's not all – they've also given it a significant upgrade under the hood with a brand new hybrid powertrain!
Looking at the Mondeo Sport, you might not notice a huge difference from the Evos at first glance. The main giveaways are the "Mondeo" lettering on the back and the "Sport" badges scattered around. They've also added some fresh new paint colors, including a cool yellow shade that looks borrowed straight from the Mustang Mach-E.
This new Mondeo Sport is a five-door crossover, measuring slightly smaller than its sedan counterpart. It's still a decent size though, clocking in at almost 5 meters long. Both the sedan and crossover share the same wheelbase, but the Mondeo Sport sits a bit higher for those who enjoy a more commanding view of the road.
Inside, things are familiar. The driver gets a fancy digital instrument cluster with a clear display, and the center console features a massive 27-inch touchscreen running Ford's SYNC+ 2.0 system. This means you can easily connect your phone and use all your favorite apps on the go. The cargo space is also pretty impressive, offering enough room for luggage with the seats up, and even more space when you fold them down.
The exciting new feature is the hybrid powertrain! This was previously only available on the Mondeo sedan, but now it's the heart and soul of the Mondeo Sport. It combines a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, giving you a total of 304 horsepower. That's a significant jump compared to the old Evos, which relied solely on gasoline and offered less muscle.
Just like the sedan, the Mondeo Sport sends all that power to the front wheels through a CVT gearbox. Ford claims this hybrid setup can travel an impressive 915 kilometers on a single tank of gas, thanks to its efficient combination of electric and gasoline power.
The wait for the Mondeo Sport won't be long for Chinese car enthusiasts. It's set to be available for order soon after its debut at the Chongqing International Auto Show. Prices will start at around $28,946, which is similar to what you'd pay for the equivalent Mondeo sedan hybrid. So, if you're in China and looking for a stylish, spacious, and fuel-efficient crossover with a legendary name, the Ford Mondeo Sport might just be your perfect match!