Beautiful and brainy; Ford have turned to technology to give the striking new Mondeo a premium feel, writes BILL CAVEN.

Byline: BILL CAVEN

NOT so long ago you would have been laughed out of town if you suggested the Ford Mondeo as a potential executive car choice.

But the next-generation Mondeo, which went on sale in the UK last month, is a rather different proposition to its predecessors.

For so long the best-selling car in Britain and Europe, the Mondeo range has been around for more than 14 years now.

And if you want proof of just how vital a model it is for the Blue Oval badge, you have to look no further than the fact that more than four million Mondeos have been sold worldwide. At a time when Ford don't have their troubles to seek - especially in the American market - that makes the arrival of the latest model all the more significant.

The large-car sector may be shrinking as more and more manufacturers are introducing niche models, but Ford have invested heavily in the new Mondeo in the belief that there is still a strong market for the more traditional family-sized saloon, hatchback and estate.

And they've got a new trump card as they try to protect their massive private and fleet sales: the new Mondeo is without doubt the most technologically advanced car Ford have ever built.

It features a host of ground-breaking technology that you would normally associate with premium brands like Lexus, Audi and BMW rather than a mainstream marque like Ford.

Having been given the chance to showcase their undoubted talents, Ford's team of designers and engineers have achieved impressive results.

You only have to take one look at the new model to see that the Mondeo has grown up to become a car of undoubted beauty.

Longer and wider than its predecessor, it sits on a platform comparable to the old Scorpio, which guarantees plenty of interior space.

Bringing new levels of refinements to its class, the new Mondeo oozes premium quality.

The craftsmanship both inside and out is second to none and the flagship Titanium X models are particularly fine specimens.

One of the first things you notice about the new Mondeo is the massive improvement in the soft-touch materials used throughout.

You could honestly think you are sitting in a vastly expensive German carriage - that's how significant the changes are.

Now featuring a keyless entry and start function, the newcomer also rules out the risk of putting the wrong fuel into the tank thanks to its Easyfuel capless refueling system.

The Titanium X models are blessed with a lengthy spec list that shames many rival models.

They have a contemporary "techno" feel thanks to their 3D metal-finish instrument panel, chunky alloy wheels, blue tinted glass, powered heated door mirrors with puddle lights, front LED ambient interior lighting and footwell illumination.

The top-of-the-range Mondeo also features Ford's new Convers-HMI cluster, which gives customers an option of CD or DVD navigation multimedia systems.

The Titanium X comes with a choice of six engines - three petrol and three diesel - ranging from the 123bhp 1.8-litre diesel to the bristling 217bhp 2.5-litre petrol.

Prices start at pounds 20,445 for the five-door hatchback version, pounds 21,245 for the four-door saloon and pounds 21,695 for the estate.

Factfile

Model: Ford Mondeo Titanium X Engine: Two, 2.3 or 2.5-litre petrol; 1.8 or two, two-litre diesels (130 /140bhp) Power: 123 to 217bhp Fuel economy: 30.4 to 48.7mpg Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles Price: pounds 20,445 to pounds 24,195 On sale: Now