HAVING spent some of my early adult years enjoying the roadway company of Cortinas and Sierras, it was satisfying to see Ford continue its love affair with the medium saloon and hatchback range in the Mondeo.
From the spring of 1993, Ford's first front wheel drive effort in this sector has continued to attract family and business users. Two generations on, from the distinctly individual looking Mark I model to today's very grown-up-looking range, the Mondeo has continued to wear the Blue Oval badge with pride.
Although the range was beginning to age a little after some six years of carrying the Ford flag, last year's makeover sufficiently refreshed the current Mondeo range to help keep it competitive through to the arrival next year of the eagerly awaited, all-new Ford Mondeo.
The third generation Mondeo had filled out and matured, delivering high levels of safety, generous specifications and roomy, well finished interiors while a sporty edge to its handling has ensured that there is plenty of driver involvement to be enjoyed in this great handler which provides an exhilarating drive.
In addition, in line with the Fiesta and Focus range, the current Mondeo also offers a flagship car in the ST which delivers stacks of performance to justify its ST badging which, in Ford-speak, stands for "Sports Technologies," plus, unlike some rivals, there is a good deal of day-to-day practicality on board.
Ford Mondeo ST comes with two engines on offer - a three-litre V6 petrol housing 224bhp which is driven here, and a 2.2-litre 153bhp turbo diesel.
In four or five-door saloon form, the ST220 is a sophisticated grand tourer that boasts genuine sporting prowess which is reflected in its sports bodystyling kit enhanced by very businesslike flared front wheel arches and twin exhausts in brushed aluminium.
Mounted on 18-inch 16-spoke alloys, the ST220 is generously kitted out, the standard manifest including the likes of full air con, electric windows all round, rain-sensing wipers, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, four-speaker Sony sound system with six-disc CD autochanger and steering wheel-mounted controls.
Functional features also include variable heated front seats and Quickclear heated front windscreen while occupant protection is led by dual-stage driver's and front passenger's airbags plus frpnt side and curtain airbags..
In addition, driver safety aids include ABS braking with stability control although further useful items such as satellite navigation will cost extra.
The Mondeo ST220 also delivers the full leather treatment and the Recaro sports seats look and feel particularly good in Infra Red leather while, courtesy of eight-way electrics in the driver's seat height adjustment and reach and rake steering wheel movement, a driving position to suit most folk is easily arrived at.
The Recaro sports seats are also figure-huggingly supportive and, with white-backed dials housed by the cowled instrument binnacle in the dash and a neatly laid-out, very user friendly centre console and, with safety and security being well taken care of, the driving environment is a comfortable place to be.
Cabin storage, too, is good, with folding centre armrests front and rear complementing door bins and centre console storage and, while manoeuvrable room could possibly pose a problem for some taller occupants, the boot is hugely accommodating.
Paired with a precise, slick-slotting six-speed manual gear change, the meaty three-litre V6 petrol engine spins sweetly to provide plenty of performance to entertain. While not intrusive, the sporty rorty note of this 24-valver is an enjoyable testimonial to the ST220's sporting life. The 0-62mph milestone comes in well under eight seconds, while the 203lb/ft of torque delivers some very punchy overtaking performance.
Although ride quality in all parts is a little on the firm side, it is certainly not unforgiving, and the performance-tuned, lowered suspension and taut torsional control combine neatly with the well weighted and communicative power steering to deliver some excellent grip and powers of agility.
However, while the Mondeo ST220 is hugely satisfying dynamically, there is a price to pay in high costs of ownership for both private and company car owners who are averse to diesel power, and, perhaps surprisingly, there are still many non-believers around.
For, with combined fuel economy of 27.2mpg over a mixed driving route and high CO2 emission levels of 249g/km resulting in a much higher tax liability the TDCi alternative with its 46.3mpg and 161g/km CO2 emissions level should certainly be considered by far the better bet if running costs happen to be the prime mover.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo ST220 4dr
Price: £24,495
Mechanical: 226bhp, 2,967cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 7.6 secs
Combined mpg: 27.2
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 249g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust