In another sign of the growing importance of the Russian market, Ford chose the 2010 Moscow International Auto Show for the world premiere of its facelifted Mondeo series that rivals the likes of the Opel Insignia, Mazda6 and Volkswagen Passat.

On the outside, all three body styles (four-door sedan, five-door liftback and estate) of the 2011 Mondeo gained a restyled front bumper with LED daytime running lights, a revised bonnet profile and restyled LED tail lamps. Interior revisions are kept to a minimum with a reprofiled center console, higher quality plastics on the door panels and trim materials.

The most interesting update lies underneath the hood, with the introduction of a 240HP derivative of the original 203HP 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine. On the diesel front, the 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine has been given a 12% power boost to 200HP. The 240HP Ecoboost petrol engine, which is offered with a six-speed PowerShift clutch double-clutch transmission as standard, accelerates the sedan and liftback Mondeo from zero to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds (203HP version: 7.9 seconds) with a top speed of 246km/h, returning a combined fuel economy of 7.7lt/100km.

Ford mentioned that a new 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and Duratorq TDCi diesel engine will also be available in the very near future.