The first hybrid electric car from Ford has gone on sale in Ireland.
The new Mondeo HEV is based on a four-door body style, with a 2.0 litre 187PS automatic transmission petrol powertrain in either the Titanium or Vignale series.
The Titanium price-tag is €32,745. That price also includes a promotional launch discount and VRT rebate, but excludes dealer and related charges (terms and conditions apply ).
The transaction price for the Mondeo HEV Vignale starts from €35,280.
“As this is the first hybrid vehicle launched by Ford in Ireland, this is an important step for us”, said Ciarán McMahon, managing director of Ford Ireland. “With its legions of fans in Ireland, Mondeo is such a great model to offer with HEV capability. We are sure that Mondeo HEV will meet the needs of customers who are looking for a more environmentally-friendly car but who do not want to compromise on space, driving dynamics, driving range and comfort.
“Hybrid electric vehicles are the most popular of the electric models available as they neatly bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engines and electric motors without the ‘range anxiety’ that some motorists feel in relation to ‘full electric’ vehicles.
“The arrival of Mondeo HEV in Ireland is the first step in a progressive electric vehicle development plan for Ford that will see 13 new full or partial EVs hit the streets of Europe and North America by 2020, including a hybrid version of the iconic Mustang that will deliver V8 power.”
The new Mondeo Hybrid uses the third-generation Ford petrol-electric hybrid system that delivers the efficiency and refinement benefits of an electric powertrain in many driving scenarios while maintaining the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine.
Two electric motors are used in the hybrid system, one to support the petrol engine in driving the wheels and another to enable regenerative charging to the 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, located behind the rear seats. The Mondeo Hybrid’s high voltage electric system is designed to working-life standards similar to Ford’s traditional combustion engines and transmissions.
Ford says that the Mondeo Hybrid is capable of driving at up to 135km/h in electric mode, and the combination of a specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electric drivetrain gives Mondeo HEV excellent fuel efficiency, with a claimed fuel consumption rate of 4.2 L/100km (or 67mpg ). For comparison purposes, a 2.0 litre diesel 150PS Powershift automatic transmission would deliver a fuel consumption rate of 4.8 L/100km (59 mpg ).
