1999 Ford Mondeo ST250 Eco Concept - AllCarIndex

FORD MONDEO TARGETS HIGH-PERFORMANCE AND LOW EMISSIONS

GENEVA, March 9, 1999 - Ford is reasserting its performance and environmental heritage at the 1999 Geneva International Motor Show with the launch of three new Ford Mondeo models - the supercharged, 3.0 litre, bi-fuel Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept, the production version of the race-inspired but road-going Ford Mondeo ST200, and the production Ford Mondeo 1.8 AFV.

THE FORD MONDEO ST250 ECO CONCEPT

Exciting performance with AFV capability

The new Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept features purposeful body styling from the fertile mind of Aston Martin DB7 designer Ian Callum and makes a bold performance statement, while also delivering a strong environmental message, combining switchable petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) fuels in an engine tuned to control emissions beyond current European standards.

"The supercharged Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept, which will run on LPG or unleaded petrol, builds on the performance technology and driving dynamics of the new Ford Mondeo ST200 road car, but also showcases Ford's comprehensive Alternative Fuel Vehicle program for Europe. This program includes a new bi-fuel Ford Mondeo 1.8 LPG production model, which will be on sale in selected markets from August," explained Will Boddie, Vice President of Ford's Small and Medium Car Vehicle Centre.

The Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept features:

- 3.0 litre 24V Duratec hybrid engine uprated to 250PS

- Supercharged and intercooled induction

- 5-speed auto-shift clutchless transmission with push-button actuation by Prodrive

- Race-inspired body styling by Ian Callum

- Bi-fuel capability (Unleaded petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

- Designed to meet and exceed current EEC emissions

- Tuned sports suspension, steering and brakes

- 18 x 8 inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and 225/40ZR18 tyres

- Recaro Sports seats

- Unique interior trim

- Digital instrumentation display

- Hybrid engine development

Ford has increased the capacity of the Duratec V6 engine from 2.5 to 3.0 litres in the bi-fuel Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept car with a special hybrid engine configuration that includes an American Ford Taurus engine block and crankshaft, coupled to unique 12-valves-per-bank cylinder heads. The engineering team has overcome the dilemma of providing maximum power through forced induction coupled to clean emissions with a highly efficient Eaton supercharger, precise fuel metering and custom-built catalytic converters.

Innovative water intercooling also features around the air intake to produce a denser, cooler charge of air and to promote increased power and torque. Conservative estimates of 250PS are predicted for the engine - 2.5 litre 'mules' have already produced 240PS.

In addition to the six individual petrol fuel injectors, the bi-fuel capability has resulted in a further set positioned in the inlet manifold for LPG delivery. Exhaust system changes are centred around the catalytic converters which have a revised 'wash coat' or catalytic inner coating, to allow them to effectively process and breakdown both petrol and LPG gases, plus the provision of twin tail pipes.

In line with current touring car racing practice, the transmission is the latest technology auto-shift manual clutchless system developed for the Ford MTX unit in conjunction with Ford's touring-car competition partner, Prodrive. It incorporates microswitches on the steering wheel for instant gear selection, however a gear lever is retained to give the driver the option of changing gear conventionally.

Bi-fuel philosophy common to new 1.8 litre Ford Mondeo AFV

Ford's bi-fuel LPG system utilises the very latest, state-of-the-art, ECU controlled, sequential liquid propane fuel injection technology for precise metering and much improved economy over previous systems. This bi-fuel technology philosophy is common to both the Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept and the new 1.8 litre Ford Mondeo AFV production model.

Power output and driveability in the Ford Mondeo ST250 Concept is comparable regardless of which fuel is used. Ford's innovative adaptive engine control software provides optimised fuel economy and driveability across the full range of fuel compositions.

Operating with LPG takes advantage of lower fuel costs and delivers environmental benefits over petrol. This includes low emissions of toxic air contaminants and reduced life cycle particulate emissions. LPG is not toxic to soil or water.

The Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept utilises a toroidal, ring-shaped LPG fuel tank located in the spare wheel well, along with a conventional petrol tank. LPG is fed to the engine via a pump and fuel filter. The LPG filler neck is conveniently located behind the existing petrol flap.

Honed dynamics

The chassis of the Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept borrows from the road-going Ford Mondeo ST200 with its uprated suspension, but incorporates further revisions to damper and spring rates and the inclusion of 18-inch diameter multi-spoke alloy wheels and directional Goodyear F1 225/40ZR18 tyres. Cross-drilled front and rear discs with 4-pot Brembo front calipers provide considerable stopping power.

Racing appeal

The visual transformation has been designed to extract the dramatic appeal of the Touring Car Championship Ford Mondeos whilst retaining the vehicle's road-going practicality. To this end, Ian Callum has enhanced front and rear styling with purposeful mouldings. These converge with special side sills and link to a unique boot-mounted spoiler. Inset driving lights are incorporated in the lower section of the front spoiler and high power HID headlamp assemblies replace the originals.

Inside, the racing theme continues with the inclusion of individual Recaro sports seats and a complete digital instrument display for all primary functions such as engine speed, boost pressure and gear selection.

The interior marriage of function and luxury includes a unique choice of materials and finishes. Front and rear seats are trimmed in black leather with contrasting grey suede-style Alcantara panels on the seat facings and centre door panels. The exterior colour of Ford Racing Blue is emphasised inside with matching instrument bezels and seat back panels. To facilitate the smooth operation of the gearbox, a new competition-inspired steering wheel incorporating microprocessor switchgear has been developed.

Ford Mondeo ST200

The concept becomes a road reality

"Whilst the Ford Mondeo ST250 ECO Concept is sure to highlight the alternative fuels technology emerging in Ford production vehicles, the high-performance appeal of the Ford Mondeo ST200, first revealed at the 1998 AAA Berlin, employs more traditional tuning practices to produce the most exciting road version ever of this popular family car," said Will Boddie, vice president of Ford's Small and Medium Vehicle Centre.

Following a process of continual development, the production version of the high-performance Ford Mondeo ST200, is appearing at the 1999 Geneva show. This practical, high-performance road car incorporates an uprated 205PS version of the lightweight 2.5 litre Duratec V6 engine. Key to this are the tuned cylinder heads which incorporate 'extrude honing' techniques, plus revised camshafts, intake manifolds and the exhaust system.

Extrude honing is an innovative aerospace technology that involves squeezing a putty-like material containing fine grit through ports and runners that channel air. The grit polishes the surface to a high degree, allowing air to move quicker and more efficiently.

Ford Mondeo ST200 is available as a 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback or wagon, and each comes equipped with a full body styling package, tuned sports suspension and steering, plus a 17 inch wheel and tyre package developed specifically for the car.

Inside, Ford Mondeo ST200 incorporates half-leather Recaro Sports seats, front and side airbags and a comprehensive list of luxurious features, including CFC-free air conditioning with Semi-Automatic Temperature Control, trip computer, Ford 5000 series RDS/EON audio system with remote steering column control and CD player, power driver's seat height adjustment, power front and rear windows, and remote central locking coupled to a comprehensive remote Ford alarm and immobiliser system.

Ford Mondeo ST200 is offered in a choice of four colours - Ford Racing Blue, Radiant Red, Stardust Silver and Panther Black. The vehicle goes on sale from Summer 1999.

FORD MONDEO 1.8 LITRE AFV

A powerful alternative is ready for the road

The latest addition to the Ford Mondeo family answers customer demands for enhanced environmental responsibility, by providing real benefits in fuel economy and alternative fuel compatibility, but without any compromise to performance and driveability. Ford has announced that an alternative fuel version of Ford Mondeo will be available starting in Summer, 1999 in selected European markets.

The Ford Mondeo 1.8 AFV will be available in all Ford Mondeo body styles. The Ford Mondeo joins the Ford Transit and the Ford Focus (from later in 1999) as the third European Ford vehicle to offer alternative fuel technology with original equipment manufacturer quality standards.

Innovative Ford technology assures that in addition to petrol, the car can operate on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) with optimised performance, economy and driveability. AFV technology is fully integrated into the vehicle systems to assure smooth, reliable operation, safety, service and diagnostic support.

Unlike aftermarket systems, Ford Mondeo 1.8 AFV customers enjoy both Ford's own warranty support and seamless customer service facilities from the wide and accessible European Ford dealer network.

"Ford Mondeo 1.8 AFV directly addresses the environmental concerns of future family car customers," Boddie said. "It frees them to join a growing trend of environmentally aware alternative fuel users without the fear that new technology will compromise their vehicle's reliability or performance."

The addition of the LPG fuel system has been designed to be neat and inconspicuous with minimal package intrusion. A separate LPG fuel inlet is located on the opposite side of the car from the petrol inlet, and gauges allow the driver to have an instantaneous indication of fuel levels in both tanks.

The practicality of using an AFV vehicle could not be simpler. The engine starts on petrol and after 5-10 seconds automatically changes to LPG, ensuring that the petrol injectors are kept clean and operational. In addition, a switch on the dashboard allows the driver to select the fuel type manually - either unleaded petrol or LPG, and the engine management system automatically reverts to petrol should the vehicle run out of gas.

SOURCE: Ford