New Ford Mondeo revealed

This is the new, improved Ford Mondeo, now with added ‘zing'.

The freshly baked Mondeo gets a lightly altered face (new grille), a lightly altered side profile (chrome window surrounds) and LED daytime running lights. Each of which is not astoundingly obvious to the casual observer, but looks smart nonetheless.

See more pics of the new Ford Mondeo

Of chief importance for the new Mondeo is the addition of two new engines to the dizzying range - a 235bhp 2-litre turbo petrol unit that'll hit 62mph in just 7.5s - and likely to appear in some form for the next Focus ST - and a 197bhp 2.2-litre oil burner which will do the dash in 8.3s while returning 47mpg.

Ford's white-coat specialists have also introduced higher-quality materials for the Mondeo's interior, and have redesigned it to make it more ‘premium'.

Which is all fine and dandy. And we like the Mondeo lots. It's a well-executed family car which is fun to abuse on a B-road, spacious enough to swallow children and assorted stuff, and doesn't require you to sell a kidney on the black market to buy.

There is one niggling thing however...the name. Mondeo is not a sexy name. It doesn't make women swoon with a heady fever and instantly want to mate with you on the spot. Rather, it gets a knowing nod from knowledgeable car types. And you definitely don't want to mate with them.

There's also another thing...the more lusted-after BMW 3 Series. Which would you choose?