What is it?
Ford Mondeo ST Concept
What's special about it?
Although Ford of Europe made mention of diesel- and hydrogen fuel cell-powered Focus sedans (the latter being a research-in-progress vehicle) as well as a diesel Explorer and the hybrid Escape (called the Maverick in Europe), its hot concept at this year's Geneva Auto Show was the V6 Mondeo ST based on a four-door production Mondeo.
Inside are custom Recaro front seats, a unique instrument panel and a navigation system. Outside, the ST concept's performance capabilities are clearly communicated by the bold exterior design created by Ford's European design team. The stance is more than just visual perception as the car rides 20 mm lower than a production model. This touring car look is reinforced with revised front wings, which are flared wider than a production Mondeo's.
The design of the Ronal 16-spoke wheels highlights the balance of performance capability and elegance that is embodied in the ST concept. The wheel-and-tire combination, combined with the car's four-wheel disc brakes clearly visible underneath, further contributes to a purposeful and dynamic profile.
Additional visual elements add to the clean look. From the rear bumper forward, a sculpted aerodynamic bottom lip runs the entire length of the body, its edges catching light to add emphasis to the car's pronounced wheel arch flares and ground-hugging stance.
The car's paint has tiny particles that are used in the formation of the bright silver hue. The front and rear bumpers blend into newly recontoured wings at the front and feature an aerodynamic splitter-style bottom section that extends the sculpted lip treatment all the way around the car.
The front bumper accentuates styling for a performance-oriented look and incorporates an inverted trapezoid grille opening that is becoming a Ford styling signature. The inverted trapezoid shape emphasizes the performance capability of the engine and lends itself to increased aerodynamic functionality of the frontal openings for airflow.
Other goodies up front include front grille inserts that feature a diamond-mesh pattern inspired by the production Mondeo, but enhanced in scale for a feeling of sportiness and substance. The large mesh is the background for a larger Ford oval badge, and the body-color grille surround is also bolder and more purposeful. Finally, the lower portion of the front bumper is equipped with high-intensity fog lights pushed to the far edges and set in a contrasting black recessed background with machined aluminum bezels.
Why should you care?
As the replacement in Europe for the Contour, the Mondeo isn't available stateside. That's a true bummer, because it would be the perfect middle ground between the Focus and the Taurus. Between this truly hot ST concept and the production Mondeo, maybe we'll someday see this car in the U.S. of A. Keep your fingers crossed. —Miles Cook
Ford Mondeo ST Concept
What's special about it?
Although Ford of Europe made mention of diesel- and hydrogen fuel cell-powered Focus sedans (the latter being a research-in-progress vehicle) as well as a diesel Explorer and the hybrid Escape (called the Maverick in Europe), its hot concept at this year's Geneva Auto Show was the V6 Mondeo ST based on a four-door production Mondeo.
Inside are custom Recaro front seats, a unique instrument panel and a navigation system. Outside, the ST concept's performance capabilities are clearly communicated by the bold exterior design created by Ford's European design team. The stance is more than just visual perception as the car rides 20 mm lower than a production model. This touring car look is reinforced with revised front wings, which are flared wider than a production Mondeo's.
The design of the Ronal 16-spoke wheels highlights the balance of performance capability and elegance that is embodied in the ST concept. The wheel-and-tire combination, combined with the car's four-wheel disc brakes clearly visible underneath, further contributes to a purposeful and dynamic profile.
Additional visual elements add to the clean look. From the rear bumper forward, a sculpted aerodynamic bottom lip runs the entire length of the body, its edges catching light to add emphasis to the car's pronounced wheel arch flares and ground-hugging stance.
The car's paint has tiny particles that are used in the formation of the bright silver hue. The front and rear bumpers blend into newly recontoured wings at the front and feature an aerodynamic splitter-style bottom section that extends the sculpted lip treatment all the way around the car.
The front bumper accentuates styling for a performance-oriented look and incorporates an inverted trapezoid grille opening that is becoming a Ford styling signature. The inverted trapezoid shape emphasizes the performance capability of the engine and lends itself to increased aerodynamic functionality of the frontal openings for airflow.
Other goodies up front include front grille inserts that feature a diamond-mesh pattern inspired by the production Mondeo, but enhanced in scale for a feeling of sportiness and substance. The large mesh is the background for a larger Ford oval badge, and the body-color grille surround is also bolder and more purposeful. Finally, the lower portion of the front bumper is equipped with high-intensity fog lights pushed to the far edges and set in a contrasting black recessed background with machined aluminum bezels.
Why should you care?
As the replacement in Europe for the Contour, the Mondeo isn't available stateside. That's a true bummer, because it would be the perfect middle ground between the Focus and the Taurus. Between this truly hot ST concept and the production Mondeo, maybe we'll someday see this car in the U.S. of A. Keep your fingers crossed. —Miles Cook
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