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Ford Mondeo Vignale 2.0 TDCI 180 Powershift Estate: Second long-term report

Mondeo Vignale IMG_3762
Great for challenges of M25 and rural routes - Mondeo Vignale

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16 January 2017

MONTH two with our Mondeo Vignale 2.0 TDCI has seen us take the premium estate on longer trips and further appreciate those special Vignale features.

The alarm goes off at 5am on a Tuesday morning and ahead of me is a 100-mile trip for a launch at the infamous Goodwood Motor circuit starting at 9am!

An easy trip you might think, just 100 miles, but that trip involves the busiest part of the M25, then there’s the mixture of slower, frustrating minor roads before I hit the historic West Sussex motor racing circuit.

I need a comfortable, refined, car for this trip and I reckon the Mondeo Vignale estate could be perfect vehicle.

I’m only just awake as I slip into our Ford estate’s super comfy, quilted leather chairs – but quickly appreciate the fact they’re heated when they warm up. Then, how simple the navigation system that’s part of the standard SYNC 3 infotainment system is – as I’m soon off on my way to the challenging M25.

I admit I’ve always been more of a fan of changing my own gears. But when you’re in the stop and start Heathrow section of the M25, I’m quite happy to let the Powershift six-speed automatic that’s fitted to our Mondeo take the strain, rather than my left foot!

It is certainly keeping the drive smoother than I could – making me feel more awake, just having to worry about the acceleration and braking!

Then there’s the Mondeo Vignale’s interior refinement. I touched on the acoustic glass and the Active Noise Cancellation system in the last report, but it’s really coming into its own here, allowing me to make the most of the excellent Sony sound system, without having it too loud.

Then there’s the lack of diesel drone from the engine and outside noise, which is certainly keeping me more relaxed than usual in all of this traffic.

Once away from the M25 and when the roads and traffic allow, it’s the Mondeo Vignale’s impressive dynamics that make their mark next. It is no sportscar – but that’s not what’s needed here. Instead, the sharp steering and fluid handling give a feeling of security on unfamiliar roads.

We’re riding on 18-inch wheels, but along with those excellent seats, when I roll through Goodwood’s entrance half an hour early, I have to admit that while I didn’t enjoy the early start and the trip down here much – this has to be one of the most comfortable ways I’ve travelled here.

I certainly feel fresher than I was expecting and ready for a day’s driving.

The trip home in the evening was equally painless, despite horrid traffic. What a shame then, that my time with this luxurious Ford Mondeo estate is almost at an end. As editorial director, Ralph will be this Ford’s keeper for the rest of its time with us.

Still, one of my final trips tested the capacious 525-litre boot to the full, by transporting a flat-packed, full-size bed to stowage without breaking a sweat. I’m really going to miss this big Ford.

Mondeo Vignale 2.0 TDCI
Mondeo takes a bed to boot

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