New Mondeo Diesel Delivers More Performance with Less Fuel and Lower CO2

[russellw]

Who's most likely to offer you a mid-size passenger car that can deliver better fuel economy than a Hybrid Camry?1

Ford of course.

Ford Australia today revealed an upgraded MB Mondeo range with a next generation diesel powertrain, which delivers substantially better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, as well as stronger performance.

The new 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine uses up to 19 per cent less fuel than its predecessor, while producing an impressive 120kW of power and 340Nm of torque – increases of more than 16 per cent and six per cent respectively.

It will be matched to a state-of-the-art Ford PowerShift six-speed dual-clutch transmission system, which provides the efficient, optimised gear ratios and driving enjoyment of a manual gearbox with the smoothness and ease-of-use of a conventional automatic.

On the new Mondeo LX TDCi hatch the next generation diesel powertrain delivers outstanding combined cycle ADR 81/02 fuel consumption of just 5.9 L/100km2 and corresponding CO2 emissions of just 157 g/km.

"Ford Australia is set to introduce a variety of new models, technologies and innovations over the next 12-18 months, further strengthening our product portfolio and delivering affordable, state-of-the-art features focused on fuel economy, safety, driver comfort and convenience," said Ford Australia Vice President Marketing, Sales & Service, Beth Donovan.

"The 2010 Mondeo range leads the charge with its sleek European style and class-leading technology and safety features boosted by the comprehensive updates made to our TDCi diesel engine and the introduction of a PowerShift six-speed transmission.

"The new powertrain not only delivers significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the prior generation engine, but at the same time generates more power and improved high-torque performance."

An expanded Mondeo line-up will mark the arrival of the new powertrain, with the introduction of four new diesel models – LX TDCi hatch, LX TDCi wagon, Zetec TDCi wagon and Titanium TDCi wagon.

Due to go on sale early in the third quarter, the new diesel engine will be available on all model series in the Mondeo line-up – LX, Zetec and Titanium – as well as on both hatch and wagon bodystyles, taking the total number of Mondeo diesel variants to six.

"There has been a growing acceptance of diesel technology within the Medium car segment over the past few years and Mondeo has played a key part in that evolution, with diesel-powered models now accounting for more than half of all Mondeos sold," Ms Donovan said.

Additional changes for the upgraded Mondeo range include the fitment of roof rails as standard equipment on all wagon variants. On LX wagon the roof rails will have a solid black finish, while Zetec and Titanium wagons will feature a stylish silver finish.

Rear passenger compartment air ducts, which are located on the B-pillar, will also be fitted to all Zetec variants on the new model – previously only Titanium variants were equipped with the additional air ducts.

2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi – Refined diesel power

The acclaimed Duratorq TDCi diesel engine has been completely updated for 2010 to deliver even higher efficiency, with improved performance, fuel economy and refinement.

The latest 2.0-litre TDCi diesel benefits from a comprehensive range of engineering changes including:

• Next-generation combustion system design with a lower compression ratio, increased combustion chamber diameter and reduced swirl
• New higher-pressure common-rail fuel injection systems with advanced multi-hole injectors
• Smaller, low-inertia variable-geometry turbochargers

The more efficient combustion system enables this engine to meet stringent Stage V emissions standards, while at the same time delivering reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The new solenoid fuel injectors, now with eight smaller holes, work with an injection pressure of 2,000-bar for improved fuel atomisation, compared with the former six-hole piezo injectors and lower 1,800-bar maximum pressure.

To align with this new pressure, the combustion-chamber bowl has also been redesigned and a new engine control module, with new calibration, has been fitted to give more flexibility on pilot injections.

All of these modifications not only result in lower emissions and CO2 output, but also deliver reduced injection noise and better overall combustion noise level, despite the higher injection pressure.

An improved turbocharger design with revised inlet duct for faster response, a high-efficiency Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler and a new coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF), also contribute to meeting the next phase emission levels, as well as providing new power and torque levels.

In addition to greater power output, the engine also benefits from increased responsiveness and more pulling power at low engine speeds, evidenced by the 20 Nm increase in peak torque to 340 Nm at 2000 rpm.

This new Duratorq TDCi engine also delivers impressive fuel economy and CO2 performance on the rest of the Mondeo model range.

Combined cycle ADR 81/02 fuel consumption on LX wagon and all Zetec and Titanium TDCi variants is 6.2 L/100km2, which is an improvement of more than 15 per cent on the previous generation TDCi engine, while CO2 emissions are rated at 165 g/km.





Ford PowerShift – Advanced, high-efficiency and smooth

The latest high-efficiency TDCi diesel engine will be matched with an advanced PowerShift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

This transmission is a state-of-the-art dual-clutch design that is significantly more efficient than traditional torque-converter automatics, resulting in fuel economy and CO2 emissions which are typically reduced by 8-10 per cent, and which are very close to those achieved with a manual gearbox.

The Ford PowerShift transmission was developed by Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH as a 50:50 Ford/GETRAG joint venture and essentially consists of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own wet-clutch unit.

Thanks to the layout of the intermediate shafts – one carrying the 'uneven' gears 1, 3 and 5, and the other the 'even' gears 2, 4 and 6 – subsequent gear changes can be prepared by pre-selecting the next gear while in motion and at full power.

The change then takes place through the opposed activation of both clutches, this being co-ordinated to avoid torque interruption.

In contrast to conventional automatic transmissions, the basic technical configuration of the PowerShift transmission offers numerous advantages. It does not, for instance, require any complex sub-systems such as torque converters, planetary gear sets, multiple wet-clutches and multiple bands – all of which serve to significantly reduce gearbox efficiency through increased inertia and drag torque effects.

The result is impressive – Ford PowerShift provides the operational ease and convenience of a conventional automatic transmission, coupled with the performance of a manual, while also delivering fast, sporty and notably smooth shifts.

A further advantage is its high torque capacity and choice of ratios, which make the PowerShift transmission an ideal partner for modern, high performance diesel engines.

Hill Launch Assist

Mondeo variants fitted with the new TDCi diesel engine and PowerShift transmission will also be equipped with Hill Launch Assist (HLA) as part of an enhanced Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.

Using the braking system, HLA is engaged when the car is stationary to prevent it from rolling. Effective on both uphill and downhill gradients, HLA provides a 2.5 second delay when the driver moves their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal, as the system maintains pressure to the braking system.

The HLA feature avoids the need for the driver to go through an awkward sequence of events involving the handbrake to hold the car momentarily whilst on a hill. Once sufficient engine torque is reached the HLA feature automatically releases the brake system in a controlled manner.

HLA is normally activated automatically, but the driver can also select a manual activation mode in the Human Machine Interface (HMI) instrument cluster.

"The 2010 Mondeo range demonstrates that Ford's continued commitment to a more sustainable future is one that can be achieved without compromising performance, technology or comfort," Ms Donovan said.

"The new generation diesel powertrain is responsive and refined, and ideally suited to Mondeo's acclaimed driving dynamics, yet without sacrificing fuel economy or CO2 performance.

"It ensures Mondeo will retain its competitive edge in the Medium segment, while providing customers with greater choice by offering a mid-size vehicle line-up that meets their needs and budget."

1 Calculated using ADR 81/02 combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 5.9 L/100km (Ford Mondeo LX TDCi hatch) and 6.0 L/100km (Toyota Hybrid Camry).
2 Figures obtained from controlled tests using ADR 81/02

2010 MB Mondeo – Manufacturer's List Price*




Source: Ford Media