FORD served up something to seriously frustrate "spot the difference" buffs in the shape of its 2004 Mondeo.
The family favourite is now into its second decade - just shows how time flies - and for its fourth revamp the Blue Oval's designers decided to change no less than 1,500 parts.
Problem is spotting them. Walk round the car and you might find half a dozen alterations from the previous model; hop inside and you could reach double figures.
Quite clearly Ford was content with the conservative yet quite sharp lines of the Mondeo, so the emphasis has leaned more towards attention to detail.
And perhaps the biggest one of all is the arrival of a new 1.8-litre Duratec SCi engine.
Named after the Smart Charge injection system, this 128bhp powerplant promises between six and eight per cent better fuel economy plus improved refinement.
It works along similar lines to a common-rail diesel unit by directly injecting fuel into the combustion chamber instead of the intake port.
Direct injection petrol engines have especially low consumption levels during lean-burn operation - for example during idle or moderate acceleration - when only a part of the combustion chamber is filled with petrol-air mixture.
Ford engineers worked to extend that benefit over a broader range of loads and engine speeds for the Duratec SCi.
The result in real terms is a fine all-round engine that performs particularly well for driving around town and with plenty of pulling power on faster roads.
And, in company with the V6 and larger of the two TDCi diesels, the Mondeo SCi's engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that enhances the car's performance.
Otherwise, the features that make the Mondeo such an attractive range of cars have been upgraded and extended.
For those unfamiliar with the range, interior space is excellent for four, though uncomfortable for a centre rear passenger whose legs have to go either side of the transmission tunnel.
But the quality of the fittings and general layout is of premium quality - in fact those opting for cars with the top spec Ghia X trim with the full leather power adjustable seats and leather/real wood steering wheel are getting a beautifully kitted out car.
Of course £110 shy of 20 grand is a lot to pay for a Mondeo and thankfully the standard Ghia SCi model, which still boasts the likes of six-disc CD player, six-spoke alloys, clock with 'creme' background and auto lighting, costs £2,200 less while £14,995 secures a 1.8-litre LX.
Competition in the Mondeo's section of the market has never been more intense, especially with so many midi-MPVs taking sales from the traditional family saloon.
But the SCi seems sure to play its part in keeping Ford at the head of affairs.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCi Ghia X 5-door
Price: £19,890
Mechanical: 128bhp, 1,798cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox
Max Speed: 128mph
0-62mph: 10.6 secs
Combined mpg: 38.2
Insurance Group: 10
CO2 emissions: 178g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust.