Mondeo ST220
Widely regarded as one of the finest Fords ever built, the Mondeo ST220 is fast, well-equipped, very practical and always a pleasure to drive.
Ultimate Guide to the flagship Mondeo V6.
Engine
2967cc, 24-valve, V6, DOHC Duratec-ST (MEBA) with alloy cylinder block and heads, 10:1 compression ratio, chain drive, multi-point fuel injection system, BlackOak ECU (revised in June 2003), twin stainless exhausts
Transmission
Front-wheel drive with MTX75 five-speed manual gearbox or (from June 2003) Getrag MMT6 Durashift six-speed manual gearbox, 240mm clutch and dual-mass flywheel
Brakes
300mm ventilated discs (front), 280mm solid discs (rear), ABS with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Suspension
MacPherson struts, uprated dampers, 15mm lowered coil springs, antiroll bar (front), Quadralink independent rear with anti-roll bar and 15mm lowered coil springs (saloon/hatchback) or independent short-long arm with anti-roll bar and lowered coil springs (rear)
Wheels and Tyres
7.5x18in 16-spoke alloys and 225/40R18 tyres
Interior
Recaro heated front seats in Ebony Black, Infra Red, Graphite or Light Flint leather trim with matching rear seat (leather with Alcantara inserts available from mid-August 2005), leather-rimmed steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake handle (with red stitching from 2005), climate control, six-disc in-dash CD autochanger. Facelift in June 2003 including revised dashboard and standard cruise control. Optional heated rear seat, stereo upgrades including DVD, sat nav, Bluetooth and rear-seat audio, Family Pack (dog guard and rearseat audio system)
Exterior
Mondeo four-door saloon, five-door hatchback or five-door estate with bodywork extensions including honeycomb grilles, flared front wheelarches, sports front and rear bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler, body-coloured door handles and tailgate/ boot lid handle. Facelift in June 2003 including rear lights (saloon and hatch), rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and puddle lights, plus (from June 2005) chrome grille surround, revised side skirts, rear lights and chrome door handles. Metallic paint in Ink Blue, State Blue, Infra Red, Machine Silver, Magnum Grey, Panther Black, Stardust Silver, Sea Grey, Performance Blue (at extra cost) or non-metallic Diamond White (police). Optional rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, xenon headlamps, electric sunroof, Technology Pack (xenon headlights and privacy glass)
Could the Mondeo ST220 be the best all-rounder that Ford ever built? It had all the looks, presence, practicality and cornering prowess you could ask for, along with loads of toys for a luxurious top- of-therange feel. Okay, its straight-line performance was somewhat lacking compared to Cosworths of old, but that’s not what the ST badge is about. The ST220 was designed to be an effortlessly enjoyable executive car – a role it handled with ease.
Available from May 2002, the ST220 was produced in saloon, hatchback and estate bodystyles featuring deep front bumpers with honeycomb inserts, side skirts and rear spoiler. Six exterior colours were offered, with three shades of leather-trimmed, heated Recaro seats inside, along with a piano-black fascia.
Packing 223bhp (thus the 220 badge) from its 3-litre, V6 engine, the ST220 became the fastest- ever Mondeo, offering 150mph-plus performance with roadholding to match – thanks to reworked suspension and 18in 16-spoke alloys beneath flared front wheelarches.
A June 2003 facelift found the ST220 fitted with a sixspeed MMT6 gearbox rather than the MTX75, providing improved fuel economy and a little more top speed. Meanwhile, a revised dashboard and revamped ECU came into play.
A final facelift followed during 2005, adding red stitching to the interior, optional Alcantara seat centres, plus a load of distinctly un-sporty chrome exterior trim.
Production ended in March 2007, since when the ST220 has become a low-profile performance bargain for those in the know. It’s a big fast Ford that’s well worth seeking out.