UK COTY - BEST FAMILY CAR - Mondeo takes title just months after launch.

Within two months of launch, the all-new Ford Mondeo is “Best Family Car” according to UK Car of the Year judges. More than 11,000 new Mondeos have already been ordered by UK customers from a broad range spanning Ford’s acclaimed turbo-charged 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125PS engine, high-power 210PS bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi diesel and 187PS petrol-electric hybrid.

The UK Car of the Year honours are decided by a panel of experienced British motoring journalists, including contributors to national newspapers, consumer and industry magazines, websites and TV.

John Challen, head of the UK Car of the Year Awards which started last year, declared:  “One of the most eagerly-awaited cars of the year does not disappoint. Great levels of equipment and technology, a sensible cockpit layout, and – as is the case with almost every Ford – a joy to drive.”

Most popular of the all-new Mondeo’s advanced technologies have been Active Park Assist for both automated parallel and perpendicular parking, and Dynamic LED headlights.  These adopt the optimum beam pattern for the road type and weather conditions.

Trinity Mirror Group’s Chris Russon said:  “New Mondeo is a class act – a genuine alternative to a BMW at last.”

BMW beater

As well as topping the “Best Family Car” list of the UK Car of the Year Awards, influential weekly magazine Autocar also reported the new Mondeo’s superiority over the BMW 3-Series.

Featuring a five-car Autocar group test versus key rivals, the magazine added a final comparison between the Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0-litre TDCi 180PS PowerShift and a BMW 320d.

“(The Mondeo) rides better, handles better, grips harder, communicates better, is more refined and is quicker among urban speeds,” said Autocar.

The all-new Mondeo is priced from £19,995 and available in five-door, estate and four-door (hybrid only) bodystyles.

Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain chairman and managing director, said:  “As UK market leader, recognition by UK Car of the Year Awards is a cherished accolade, especially for the new Mondeo as one of the UK’s best-known models.  UK dealers are enjoying huge interest in new Mondeo and fellow 2015 newcomers into our showrooms in the run-up to the new ‘15’ plate.”

New Mondeo Hybrid takes Next Green Car Award, with the Transit Courier commended.

• Ford Mondeo Hybrid wins Next Green Car Large Family Car Award
• All-new Ford Transit Courier Kombi was also commended in LCV category

Ford’s first hybrid to be built and sold in Europe has been awarded a Next Green Car Award.

Next Green Car praised the all-new Mondeo Hybrid, stating: “Well done to Ford for bringing its hybrid know-how to the UK market. The Mondeo Hybrid delivers emissions under the 100g CO₂/km threshold.”

Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe said, “With our first hybrid to be built in Europe, we’ve improved fuel efficiency and CO₂ without sacrificing the power and driving experience Mondeo customers have come to expect.”

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid now on sale uses two electric motors in the hybrid system – one to support the petrol engine in driving the wheels and another to enable regenerative charging to the 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery, located behind the rear seats.

It is capable of speeds up to 85mph in electric mode, and the combination of the specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electric drivetrain delivers 187PS with 67.3mpg and 99g/km CO_2.*

The all-new Ford Transit Courier was also highly commended by Next Green Car in the LCV category.

The smallest van in the new Transit line-up is a first for Ford in the compact van segment, offering unrivalled fuel economy across its diesel and petrol engine range with class-leading load space of 2.3m³ (SAE) behind the bulkhead.

The 95PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi, Dagenham-built engine achieves 76.3mpg and 97g/km CO₂ emissions*, and the multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost offers 54.3mpg and 119g/km CO₂ ** – 15 per cent better than the closest rival.