Ford Mondeo News

Ford has unveiled the new Mondeo wagon at the Paris Motor Show and it offers the first clues on what the next generation Falcon will look like.The medium-sized Mondeo takes attributes from the Iosis concept car, which was unveiled by Ford at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September.The new Falcon, due in 2008, is also expected to draw similarities in design element, particularly in the front-end treatment."From some of the information you read, apparently there are a few design clues - but there's nothing we can officially confirm," says Ford spokesman Edward Finn.The Mondeo has been unveiled as a wagon but will also come in other body styles.Ford of Europe's design director, Martin Smith, says the Mondeo's design features include dynamic lines, a three-plane plan front-end view, full surfaces, strong shoulders, bold wheel lips, a rising belt line and a distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar.And while the Mondeo will be released for sale in Europe early next year, it won't be coming to Australia. Ford Australia is concentrating on the BFII Falcon, which is scheduled to be unveiled next month.Volvo drivers' bonusVolvo's newest and smallest car, the C30, was officially unveiled overnight at the Paris Motor Show. The C30 won't be launched in Australia until early next year ... but Volvo has revealed it will make its first public display Down Under at the Sydney motor show in October.The two-door compact C30, which is expected to appeal to a younger, active audience, will be available in a range of four and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.Australia will receive the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine, with 162kW and 320Nm, as well as the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, delivering 136kW of power and 350Nm or torque.The four-seater has a sporty design and retains some of the features from the C30 Design Concept, which was first displayed at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The front of the C30 will keep the dynamic character of the concept, with angled head-lamps and the low, wide grille.The C30 also boasts high levels of safety, a roomy interior and versatile rear seats."The new C30 is the car for people with an intense urban lifestyle," says Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice-president (Brand, Business and Product Strategy) at Volvo Cars.Production of the C30 will begin at the end of the year and Volvo has set a target of 65,000 cars a year, with most expected to be sold in Europe.Additional reporting from wires