Ford has unveiled new versions of two of its most important and best-selling cars – the Mondeo and the Fiesta.
Built on Ford’s global CD-segment platform, the new Mondeo will be available, like the existing car, as a five-door and wagon, as well as a four-door that will also be offered as segment-first petrol Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV).
But the most unique engine in the Mondeo line up will be the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which was recently announced as the 2012 “International Engine of the Year”.
“This is the most premium Mondeo we’ve ever built and the most premium vehicle Ford’s loyal European customers have ever been offered,” said Barb Samardzich, Vice President, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “It raises the bar in its segment in terms of style, technology and quality.”
Mondeo will be the first Ford to feature headlights with LED high-beam, low-beam and signal lighting. Quicker to illuminate, more durable and more energy-efficient than traditional filament bulb headlamps, the Mondeo’s LED headlights turn with the steering and adapt beam projection to vehicle speed.
The Mondeo HEV will be Ford’s first hybrid passenger car for Europe, and combines a specially-developed 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 35kW lithium-ion battery to provide  high fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. For the first time on Mondeo, a diesel all-wheel drive variant will also be offered.
Mondeo will also offer segment-first SYNC with MyFord Touch, a voice-activated in-car connectivity system that delivers an eight-inch colour touchscreen and the ability to act as a WiFi hotspot for up to five devices.
The new Fiesta also delivers an advanced package of technologies including SYNC and will also be equipped with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
“Fiesta has been one of the world’s best-loved small cars across five decades, and the sporty appeal of the last generation Fiesta inspired real passion among global compact car customers, contributing to its status as the world’s most successful small car,” said Martin Smith, Ford of Europe executive design director. “We had to keep that vital part of Fiesta’s make-up – but we also wanted to give it a more sophisticated look.”
Similar to the Mondeo, the Fiesta’s face is dominated by a trapezoidal front grille, bracketed by laser-cut headlamps with daytime running lamps that use LED technology.
 Ford will reveal more details about the new European Fiesta range at the Paris Motor Show in September.