Ford Mondeo 2.0-liter EcoBoost 203HP & 240HP to be Available with Six-Speed Manual Gearbox

The top-of-the-line Mondeo editions Titanium and Titanium S, which are powered by Ford's 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine, will soon be available with a six-speed manual gearbox in addition to the dual-clutch PowerShift transmission.

Ford's 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is available in two states of tune generating 203-horses and 240-horses. Both will be offered with the new manual gearbox at the end of 2011, starting with Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. Availability in the rest of Europe will follow shortly after.

According to the automaker, the 203HP version with the six-speed manual transmission achieves an average consumption of 7.6 lt/100 km (mpg) and CO2 emissions of 176 g/km. This engine-gearbox combination will also be available in the S-MAX Titanium and Titanium S models.

Ford says that when combined with the six-speed manual, the 240HP version of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is not only the most powerful Mondeo ever built, surpassing the 3.0-liter V6 Mondeo ST220 by 14HP, but it is also 30% more fuel efficient, achieving a 30% reduction in average consumption and CO2 emissions, which are the same as the 203HP engine.

 

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IAA 2011: Seat's Sharp Looking IBL Concept Sedan

It may have an unsexy name, but Seat's latest creation, the IBL concept, is anything but lackluster when it comes to its styling.

The sharp looking study is a Ford Mondeo-sized sports saloon created to show off the latest evolution of Seat's design DNA, and while the Spanish brand says it does not pre-empt a specific model, its styling philosophy will be applied to the firm's future portfolio.

Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, the new head honcho of SEAT Design, explains: "The IBL was created from the unique design DNA that will prevail right across our next vehicle generation."

"The IBL is certainly more than a saloon; it is the SEAT interpretation of a very sporty four-door. With it, we are also demonstrating that we can apply our elegant dynamics and our youthful character to a full-size vehicle concept, too, making it unique and unmistakable," he added.

The concept model is roughly the same size as the Spanish firm's rebadged, previous generation Audi A4, the Exeo, measuring 4.67 metres long and 1.85 metres wide with a 2.71 metres long wheelbase.

The clean, almost minimalistic design language of the exterior is continued in the interior that boasts a cockpit oriented towards the driver. Highlights include the fully digital display that can be programmed to suit the driver’s preferences with the information presented either in the form of classic analogue dials or as a digital readout.

Mr Mesonero-Romanos added: "The interior of IBL is in total harmony with its exterior design. It is definitely a place where you want to be, and to be seen."

 

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