OK, so we have been away for a few days doing some charity for the local homeless shelter… OK so the truth is we were not… OK, so we were taking donations for the local charities… OK, so we were begging on the streets pretending to be homeless. Professional beggars, they call it. Motoring journalism is poorly paid which is why we haven’t updated for the past 2-3 days. We have now established a second reliable revenue stream. But we’re back. Ford has got new revenue stream of their own. The 2019 Ford Mondeo has been given a styling refresh and the estate has got a new hybrid variant. The hybrid powertrain delivers 187PS, and combines a specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine; electric motor; generator. The 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery; and a Ford-developed power-split automatic transmission is designed to emulate the performance of a continuously variable transmission. Regenerative braking technology captures up to 90 percent of the energy normally lost during braking to replenish the battery. For The latter contributing to CO₂ emissions of 98g/km for the existing hybrid four-door, and anticipated CO₂ emissions of 103g/km for the newly launched wagon. Model ranges ditto that of the 4-door version. Zetec Edition, Titanium Edition, ST-Line Edition and Vignale series are offered. Mondeo’s upgraded interior features new seat fabrics, new door handle appliques, and new decorative spears unique to Titanium Edition, ST‑Line Edition and Vignale models. A rotary gear shift dial is used for for models equipped with Ford’s eight-speed automatic transmission. The Mondeo now also offers Adaptive Cruise Control technology – which enables the vehicle to automatically maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead. Introduced to Mondeo for the first time is Intelligent Speed Limiter and Traffic Sign Recognition technologies. The Electric power-assisted steering; and electrically-powered air-conditioning, powertrain cooling and vacuum systems, which significantly reduce drag on the engine A specially-developed exhaust gas heat recovery system that enables faster cabin warming. Though we are not foolish enough to buy a Ford Mondeo there are those in the UK who are prepared to suffer in silence. Prices for the new Mondeo hybrid estate are expected to start from around £28k, availability will be from March.  

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