Not long to go before the 2015 Ford Mondeo EcoBoost is officially launched in the country - word is that the car will be introduced before the month is out. Ahead of that, the fifth-gen CD391 (which is known as the Fusion in North America) is continuing on its preview rounds; the car is currently on show in Bangsar Shopping Centre until the weekend.
We've covered the D-segment offering in great detail in our earlier post last month, when specifications for the Malaysian car - which is assembled in Spain at Ford's Valencia plant - were revealed. To recap, the 1,562 kg car will come with an equipment level equivalent to Australia's mid-level Trend variant, with elements from the high-end Titanium included in the mix.
The 2.0 litre EcoBoost offers the same 240 PS (at 5,300 rpm) and 345 Nm (at 2,300 to 4,900 rpm) output tune as found previously on the outgoing fourth-gen CD345 Mondeo, and the PowerShift six-speed transmission has been replaced by a conventional six-speed torque converter unit, the 6F35 SelectShift, as seen on the Ford Kuga.
Exterior bits include 17-inch double five-spoke alloys wrapped with 235/50 Michelin Primacy 3 tyres, adaptive LED headlamps, daytime running lights, dual exhausts and auto fold wing mirrors (with puddle lamps).
As for equipment, the list includes adaptive cruise control, keyless entry/push button ignition, dual-zone auto climate control, an electronic parking brake, auto headlamps and wipers, fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers and 10-way powered front seats. Other base items are front and rear parking aid sensors, leather steering wheel/gear shift knob as well as paddle shifters and rear air-conditioning vents.
Also on, a SYNC 2 infotainment with an eight-inch LCD touchscreen, reverse camera and MyKey. The Sony audio system features nine speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and aux inputs as well as Voice Command for phone, music and climate controls. There's no navigation (and panoramic sunroof), however.
Aside from the earlier-mentioned adaptive cruise control, safety kit includes seven airbags (front, thorax, curtain and driver knee) - which is two less than the Australian Mondeo, which features inflatable rear seatbelts to make it an airbag count of nine - as well as ABS, EBD, ESC, traction control, hill launch assist and Isofix mount points.
The Malaysian Mondeo also comes equipped with Lane Keeping Alert + Aid, and LKA is the only item in the arsenal of Safety Pack items to feature here - no BLIS and lane departure warning, nor is there the Active City Stop, enhanced Active Park Assist or Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection seen on higher-spec Australian models.
As previously mentioned, the Mondeo EcoBoost will be available in four colours locally, and these are Tectonic Silver, Frozen White, Panther Black and Ruby Red. At the preview in BSC, a Frozen White unit is on static display duty at the concourse, while two demonstrator mules (one Ruby Red, the other a Tectonic Silver example) are available for test drives, running on trade plates.
The course at the Bangsar showcase isn't very long, essentially being a large loop around the area, but it does provide enough in the way of an impression of the car, and there really are no surprises in store, if you're familiar with the old one. As before, the Mondeo feels very drivable, the EcoBoost continuing to provide a lot of shine in both pull and response.
The steering is informative, and there's every suggestion that this one will continue its predecessor's high levels of engagement in terms of driving dynamics when speeds progress beyond city driving scope levels.
Seating comfort is likewise positive, as is switchgear ergonomics. The interior is definitely an advancement over the fourth-gen CD345's in terms of presentation and appeal - the immediate standout is the instrument cluster as well as the eight-inch SYNC 2 screen. Not enough time to really try out the ease of use of the system, so that'll have to wait for the standard test drive when the time comes.
The suspension remains firm-ish though, and the low to mid-speed levels and road conditions of the course simply amplify the feedback coming across - Euro fans will love the nuggety feel coming off the tarmac, but those unused to such a depiction might find the Mondeo's ride nature a tad hard.
The estimated RM203,800 price bandied about earlier still stands, but the final price will be confirmed when the car is launched later this month. The Mondeo will come with a three-year/100,000 km warranty (and not as previously mentioned) as well as a three year/60,000 km free service package.
