BUYER’S GUIDE

Top tips for buying the best Mondeo ST220 you can.

It’s not just any old Mondeo. The ST220 is a prime example of what Ford does best: turning an accomplished family car into a truly great sports saloon. Packed with poise, performance and luxurious equipment, the ST220 drives more like a German grand tourer than a humdrum repmobile.

Today, 15 years after it was launched, the fastest- ever Mondeo is still regarded as one of Ford’s finest- ever all-rounders. It packs an almighty punch for a purchase price of pennies.

Available from May 2002, the ST220 was named to match its Sports Technology styling and 223bhp Duratec ST engine – an American-sourced three-litre V6 with reworked induction system and dual-intake airbox. The result was 150mph-plus performance and 0-to- 60mph in 6.8 seconds.

Three bodystyles were offered – saloon, hatchback and estate – boasting wider front wheelarches, deep bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and twin exhausts. Lowered suspension and diamond-cut 18in alloys completed the look.

There was a choice of six exterior colours, and three shades of leather heated Recaro seats within an executive-spec cabin.

The slick MTX75 five-speed gearbox was ditched during the ST220’s first facelift of June 2003, when the meaty MMT6 six-speed was accompanied by a single-feed airbox and improved ECU, resulting in improved fuel economy and top speed. A revised dashboard came too, along with more kit included as standard.

June 2005 brought a further facelift, adding distinctly un-sporty chrome exterior trim, plus red interior stitching and optional alcantara seat centres.

Mondeo ST220 production ended in 2007, since when the last- ever sporty Mondeo has become a sought-after highperformance bargain.

“The ST220 drives more like a German grand tourer than a humdrum repmobile”