15 Mar 02
First, some key facts. You can have it as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback or an estate. It is front- rather than four-wheel drive, and it's powered by a 223 bhp, 3.0-litre V6 that will rip you to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and top out at a pleasingly pointless 151 mph. And flat-out from 30 to 50 mph in fourth takes just 5.5 seconds. If that's a measure you're unfamiliar with, well, all you need to know is that there's no need to fumble for lower gears, nor to wait for the engine to rev heavenwards for the power surge - this Mondeo just gets on and does it.
So there's decent power. It's channelled through a five-speed gearbox - Ford figured that such a torquey engine didn't need a six-speeder - to feed a potential 207 lb ft of pulling power to fat 225/40 R18 tyres. The suspension is serious too, although Ford says it didn't need to do much to the standard arrangements, which produce handling that we reckon is the best in the class. Nevertheless, the ST has revised springs, shock absorbers and bushes to suit its more sporting role, though without seriously damaging ride comfort, Ford claims. The physical arrangement of the front suspension geometry has been mildly altered to preserve its geometric functionality following a 15 mm reduction in ride height, but the standard Mondeo's wheel travel of 20 mm has been retained. That's important, because it means there's a good chance of a decent ride. Electronic stability control is there to check waywardness when the grip runs out, but Ford insists that it's not there to mask any deficiencies in the handling.
The engine is Ford's Duratec 3.0 V6 - in altered form, it appears in Jaguars too - whose short stroke allows it to rev to 6900 rpm, which is not bad for a V6. Tuning it to deliver 223 bhp meant fitting bigger valves and high-lift cams to improve breathing - textbook tuning techniques - as well as redesigning the air-intake inlet and developing an inlet manifold that reduces airflow losses by 34 per cent. A new exhaust manifold that cuts power-sapping back pressure and twin (chromed) tailpipes help too, while a larger radiator and an oil cooler provide additional temperature protection during hard workouts.
But it's not just the engine that'll come in for some exercise if you find a ribbon of open road. Straightaway you'll notice the meaty weight of the steering at low speed, the seats that cup you pretty completely, a pleasingly mechanical feel to the gearchange and prominent thumps as those big, low-profile tyres slap into pot-holes. Pick up some pace, and you'll be gently serenaded by a smooth V6 that warbles promisingly at 2000-3000 rpm and sounds sportily rorty at 5000-6000 rpm, particularly when you release the accelerator, which triggers a satisfying rasp. Those familiar with previous Mondeo V6s will be pleased to hear that the revs drop away much more readily now, making it far easier to control the engine than before. And the noises it makes are just what a keen driver wants to hear, but not so loud that his passenger will be telling him to grow up. The engine's efforts gather quite a momentum too, although there's enough low-down tug that you needn't keep it spinning hard to maintain a brisk pace.
