The latest incarnation of the flagship Ford features the same front end styling as the Evos concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, and is aimed at boosting the carmaker’s footprint within the 60% of C-D segment sales not covered by premium brands.

New Mondeo shares its platform and most of its styling with the Fusion sold in North America, and the hybrid version will be the same in both markets. It uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine, CVT gearbox and 47bhp electric motor to offer a combined 186bhp, and can drive at up to 62mph on electricity.

This allows for predicted fuel consumption of around 67mpg in the NEDC test, with CO2 emissions of around 100g/km, which could make it an attractive fleet car. The plug-in hybrid Energi version, due to be sold in America, could also be coming to Europe, but is as yet unconfirmed.

New technology inside includes the latest SYNC voice-activated infotainment system with MyFordTouch, due to launch on the Focus Electric early next year, inflatable rear seatbelts and maintenance-free LED headlamp which adjust their beam pattern based on steering angle for a better view of the road. Hybrid versions feature a unique dashboard display with a centrally-mounted speedometer and LCD screens showing how to dive more efficiently.

‘This is the most premium Mondeo we’ve ever built and the most premium vehicle Ford’s loyal European customers have ever been offered,' said Barb Samardzich, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe