The medium class category was by far the largest segment of vehicles road tested this year. There was a huge choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel models which indicates the shift towards smaller economic fleet vehicles. The contenders included the: BMW 1 series diesels, Dodge Avenger, Fiat Bravo, Ford Mondeo Zetec, Ford Mondeo TDCi wagon, Holden Astra, Honda Civic Hybrid, Kia Magentis CRD, Kia Carens, Mazda6 GSX Sport wagon, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Tiida ST, Peugeot 308, RenaultSport Megane RS225, Saab 9-3 Vector TiD, Saab 9-3 Biopower Cabrio, Skoda Roomster TDi, Subaru Impreza, Subaru WRX-STI, Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Eos 3.2 V6, Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI and the Volkswagen Passat Variant BlueMotion. The Ford Mondeo range won because of its ability to give fleet buyers economical petrol and turbo diesel engines in three different body styles to suit a wide range of driver needs and wants. There’s a Mondeo variant to suit everyone, from the CEO to the sales rep! The Mondeo offers a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 2.3 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 2.5 litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine as well as a recently introduced 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which gives this model more flexibility to meet the need of the fleet market. “Diesel purchases in the medium car segment have steadily increased over the last couple of years, now making up 10% of the segment. Our offering of a diesel Mondeo with a 6-speed automatic transmission aims to answer the demand by New Zealanders for automatic diesels,” says Mike Gibbon, Brand Manager Passenger Vehicles at Ford New Zealand. “The addition of diesel vehicles to the Mondeo range is another example of Ford’s commitment to lowering CO2 emissions and providing alternative fuel solutions. Diesel vehicles are a viable and real way we can start making a difference now.” The Mondeo TDCi features a 2.0-litre Duratorq four-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine that delivers on the key expectations of a modern diesel car – refinement, large car performance and superior fuel efficiency. The TDCi diesel engine which is a product of the Peugeot-Ford diesel engine alliance produces 103 kW of power and peak torque of 320Nm from 1750rpm. All Mondeo TDCi variants have a 6-speed automatic gearbox with a sport mode as well as a manual over-ride for engine braking when pressing on. It’s a delight to use and extremely responsive in all modes. One large benefit of the Mondeo range is that is can fit people of all shapes and sizes behind the steering wheel. The driver’s seat is incredibly comfortable thanks to having both a lumbar adjustment and a height adjustment as well as reach. The steering wheel has a tilt and telescopic function, so drivers with short legs and long arms or long arms and short legs are easily catered for. The air conditioning system works well and demists the windscreen in seconds. All Mondeo models include an enhanced Intelligent Protection System (IPS) complemented by Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Dynamic Stability Control and seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and full length side curtain airbags. A dealer fitted Bluetooth system will became available in the third quarter and will be available to factory order in the fourth quarter of 08. Current Mondeo owners will be able to retrofit the system if required.