2013 Ford Mondeo pictures and spec

This is the all-new Ford Mondeo revealed almost a year before it will go on sale in UK dealers.

At around 80mm longer than the outgoing model, the 2013 Mondeo is designed to reinforce the model's appeal to buyers of large family cars such as the Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat.

However, it's also said to be better finished and more luxurious than before; a sign that Ford is hoping it can steal sales from low-end Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series models by offering more space for less cash.

It's not about to do this any time soon, however. Production delays, caused by concerns over the time needed to adapt the US-developed car for the European market, have pushed the Mondeo's on-sale date back from June 2013 to 'September at the earliest'. Ford sources say that 'by the end of 2013' is the most accurate goal for first deliveries.

The car's extra length comes through larger front and rear overhangs, while the wheelbase remains the same as before. The biggest styling difference comes at the front, where there are new, slimmer, all-LED headlights, and an Aston Martin-esque 'trapezoidal' grille.

New Mondeo's profile is similar to the current car's, but there's a sharper crease and curvier bootlid

The side profile and window line are reminiscent of the current car's, but there's a sharper crease along the flanks. More dramatic rear styling includes a smoother bumper, a curvier bootlid and slimmer tail-lights.

What's the 2013 Ford Mondeo like inside?
Ford says it has used more soft-touch and premium finishes inside than ever, and cabin space is likely to change little because the car's wheelbase is the same as the current car's.

Options will include Sync, which brings an eight-inch colour touch-screen, voice control and the ability to offer a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices. The estate model will offer the option of a panoramic sunroof. The line-up of safety equipment now includes inflatable rear seatbelts that are designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries.

The cabin gets a new look; will offer as much space as the current Mondeo's

What's underneath the 2013 Ford Mondeo's bonnet?
Ford is planning an extensive overhaul of the Mondeo's engine and transmission line-up, including smaller petrol and diesel motors, and the option of four-wheel drive. The smallest engine will be Ford's 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder Ecoboost unit. It's likely to be offered in various states of tune, starting with the 123bhp spec that we've already seen in the Ford Focus. Engineers have already hinted that more potent versions of the engine are on the way, including one with as much as 177bhp.

The diesel options will include at least two versions of Ford's 2.0-litre turbocharged motor, but the current 1.6 turbodiesel is likely to be replaced by the new, more efficient 1.5-litre engine that's just been launched in the smaller B-Max. It's likely to bring the Mondeo's CO2 emissions down to less than 110g/km.

The larger diesel engine will be offered with four-wheel-drive versions across all three of the Mondeo's bodystyles: five-door hatch, four-door saloon and estate.

There will also be a petrol-hybrid version of the new car. The Mondeo HEV will use technology developed in its American sister vehicle, the Fusion. In this, a 2.0-litre petrol engine is combined with a 35kW lithium-ion battery. The Fusion can travel at up to 62mph on electric power alone, and Ford claims it can return more than 56mpg in urban driving although this figure is based on the American fuel economy test.

New range of engines includes Ford's three-cylinder Ecoboost petrol

How much will the 2013 Ford Mondeo cost?
The car's on-sale date of autumn 2013 means prices have yet to be confirmed. However, we'd expect only a small increase over the current car's figures, with entry-level five-door hatchbacks starting at less than 19,000, and at least one basic estate model sneaking under 20k.

Read the current Ford Mondeo review >>

John.McIlroy@whatcar.com