Forget the badge

If you want a good example of badge snobbery, look no further than the Mondeo ST220. Most of the passengers I took out in our test model said they wouldn't pay 24k [pounds sterling] for a Ford. Not even for a Ford with a 226PS 3.0-litre 24V V6 Duratec ST engine offering a 0-62 time of 7.5s and a top speed of 146mph. Nor one with sports suspension. And not one with race-inspired bodywork or a full leather interior. But if it wasn't for the badge, they'd be more interested, Daft, isn't it?

I won't pretend the ST220 is suitable for all fleets. C[O.sub.2] emissions of 254g/km for the estate place it firmly in the 35% BiK bracket while a combined consumption figure of 26.6mpg won't make for the smallest of fuel bills. And I only managed a poor 24.4mpg.

But the real problem for some people is getting over the fact this is a performance-driven Ford. Despite the fact that Ford has its own racing heritage reflected by the Sports technologies (ST) name.

And that's a shame as the ST220 is an absolute beauty of a car. Ford has taken the standard Mondeo and turned it into something truly awesome. The engine alone is capable of turning most people into giggling wrecks as it takes giant strides towards illegal speeds. A rather long first gear means that after changing up to second, you can comfortably be doing 65mph at 6500rpm. From here on, the six-speed short-throw gearbox is close ratio. Not that you'll need to change gears often--the ST220's bountiful torque means it'll make the most of any gear.

Steering, already a class-leading feature of the standard Mondeo, has been honed to a sublime level of reactiveness. Of course, this does mean that you have to pay a little more attention when driving, particularly on country roads and motorways, as the ST220 will follow your every whim. It may also be a little on the firm side for those who are more used to lighter steering, resulting in a touch of arm ache in low speed manoeuvres despite its tight turning circle. But, oh, the payback is worth it. It somehow seems sinful to be able to throw an estate round every bend and have it keep it together so well.

The ride was more comfortable than I expected as well. However, hit a pothole or even a slight dent and you soon know about it as the car fidgets strongly, leaving you to wrestle with the steering; another reason why it's not at all comfortable at cruising.

Those 225 40R 18in tyres also made their presence felt when it came to road noise. It wasn't until I pulled off onto motorway slip roads that I realised just how loud the ride had been. Wind noise was abundant as well although the ST220 lacked the usual estate echo.

Brakes, like the steering, warranted forceful operation. Sometimes I felt like I was sliding to a halt in a huddle though, and took to leaving longer distances from the car in front to compensate.

But, believe me, these are not complaints, merely observations.

What may divide people is the interior, which was dominated on our model by red leather upholstery with a black and chrome dash. Most passengers thought it was "garish" and I admit that I'd probably opt for a black interior myself which looks a little more subtle and might also help when it comes to reselling the car. But I do think that Ford has done a good job in giving the Mondeo a makeover--the ST220 needed to look different to the standard model and it certainly does that.

So much so, in fact, that you may forget this is an estate. And a rather large one at that with a boot of 540 litres (1700 with the seats down). At 1141mm wide and 1140mm long, the ST220's boot will accommodate most needs. Like the standard Mondeo, the interior gives superb head, arm and leg space, front and rear. Driver comfort was helped by the Recaro front seats with eight-way electronic controls.

Of course, all this will be completely irrelevant if you can't get your head around the idea of paying 24k [pounds sterling] for a Ford. But I think that would be a real pity.

DRIVER'S LOG

LIST PRICE (P11D): 24,105 [pounds sterling]

ENGINE: 2967cc DOHC V6 24V petrol

POWER: 226PS @ 6150rpm

TORQUE: 280Nm @ 4900rpm

C[O.sub.2] RATING: 254g/km (35%)

2004/5 BIK: 8437 [pounds sterling]

INSURANCE GROUP: 16E

OFFICIAL COMBINATION: 26.6mpg

AVERAGE MONTHLY RENTAL: 532 [pounds sterling] ex VAT

AVERAGE RESIDUAL VALUE: 7039 [pounds sterling]

COPYRIGHT 2004 DMG World Media Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group