FORD have their fingers crossed that a radical revamp of the Mondeo, due to hit the road later this year, will set their best-seller back at the top of the tree.
Until last year, the Mondeo had enjoyed six years as leader of the pack, fending off fierce competition from contenders such as the Cavalier and Peugeot 405. Last year its long reign in the top spot was shattered when Vauxhall's contender, the Vectra, at last overtook it.
Ford's domination of the middle market began in 1962 with the Cortina. This was accepted as being the first of a popular breed of car, bridging the gap between the tiny Mini and larger cars such as Rovers and Triumphs.
The Cortina was an immediate success and became the definitive "family car".
It was also a hit with fleet managers, making it the car of choice for a generation of sales reps.
The Cortina ran through four complete redesigns and was followed in the Eighties and Nineties by the Sierra and then the Mondeo.
The Sierra was quickly nicknamed the Reps' Barge, but the Mondeo soon won fans and is recognised as one of the best Fords ever.
The rest of the industry is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new-look Mondeo in November to see what they are up against in this vital part of the mass market.
Will Ford go for bold innovation as with the Focus?
Industry insiders are whispering that it might undercut the current Mondeo's price.
In the short term, two new Mondeo models will be available early in March.
The Zetec-S five-door, two-litre version has distinctive sporty styling, ABS braking with traction control, air-conditioning, quickclear heated windscreen and 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.
The five-door, 1.8-litre Verona model also has the quickclear windscreen and alloy wheels as standard, while ABS is optional. The radically redesigned Mondeo range is to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, and should hit the road in November.
When the new, upmarket VW Passat was launched in 1996, the Ford design team carefully scrutinised it from bumper to bumper and went back to the drawing board.
Their suppliers were convinced that they could match the high-quality appearance of the Passat's plastics and achieve a better finish at a lower price.
As well as restyling the exterior, the Mondeo design team have worked meticulously on the interior.
It will be exceptionally spacious and, though it has the longest wheelbase of any car in its class, it is five centimetres shorter than the Passat, making for easier parking.
In the estate version it will have more luggage space than the Mercedes E-class.
Wind noise and tyre roar have been dampened, which should appeal to the company car drivers who spend hours on the road. And Ford is forging ahead with its strategy to introduce the internet and e-mail to its popular models.
Both the Mondeo and Focus will have built-in mobile phones as standard in models from the mid-range upwards.
The major changes to the Mondeo, however, are beneath the skin with a new double- wishbone Control Blade rear suspension, an award-winning system which has given the Ford Focus its reputation for good handling.
All in all, the feeling in the industry about the new model is highly positive.
The improved handling, spaciousness, upgraded appearance and extras on the inside are being hailed as a recipe that could put the Mondeo back on top of the pile.
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