Ford Mondeo ST TDCi - Diesel Road Test

Ford Mondeo ST TDCi

Fast, fun, fantastic to drive - and yes, it's a Ford! The new Mondeo ST TDCi is probably the best car in the company's entire range.

The current Mondeo was launched in 2000 and has a few minor facelifts since then. Now, thanks to the diesel revolution, TDCi versions now account for more than half all sales, making it the second-best diesel seller in the UK.

There has long been a special, hot ST petrol-guzzling Mondeo - the 3.0-litre V6. Just a couple of years ago that would have been the end of the story. But now, such is the tidal wave of enthusiasm for oil burning power units, a diesel ST has been rolled out to match that 3.0-litre super saloon.

It's the fastest diesel Ford has ever produced. It has a highly-tuned bored-out version of the 2.0 TDCi - a 2.2-litre turbo producing 155bhp and 265lbs of torque. It does 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds. It can also reach 137mph and return 58mpg, with both saloon and estate versions.

It costs around £22,000 and is the perfect foil for the equally quick Vauxhall Vectra. That's still a lot for a medium sized car with a mainstream badge - so is this Mondeo really worth it?

From the outside, the metallic paint is dazzling and the wheels are simply gorgeous. There's a single chrome exhaust peeping out under the back, and more muscular front wheelarches improve the lines. Two little red letters on the tail discreetly tell the world that this is an ST.

Inside, there's no silly fake wood inserts or flimsy attempts to be fashionable. There are black leather trimmed front seats with an alcantara facing on the base and back, so they're not too sweaty.

The rest of the trim is full leather - the rear seats, steering wheel, gearlever and handbrake. There are chrome and brushed aluminium inserts - some of which are probably plastic.

Air con, ABS, six-speed box, lots of airbags and front fog lights are all standard. There's a good feeling of quality to most of the materials too.

Build and style is well above the middling level of Vauxhall, Citroen, and Renault. It compares well with the group chasing the leaders too - feeling classier than the Honda Accord and more exciting than a Volvo S40.

Ford has improved on the Mondeo's renowned handling with a unique sports-tuned and lowered suspension, plus huge 18-inch alloy wheels with skinny low profile rubber. It makes for formidable handling.