Ford wins big at What Car? Awards 2009

Ford Mondeo has been named the 'Best Family Car' while Ford Fiesta has been awarded top winner in the 'Supermini' Category as well as the prestigious 'CAR OF THE YEAR 2009' Award.

Here's how the cars beat the rest, as adapted from [U][I]What Car UK (www.whatcar.com)[/I][/U]:


When we say big, we mean really big. The sheer size of the Mondeo is probably the thing that hits you first. The boot's so big that you could lay out a fair-sized Scalextric track in it, while the cabin is simply enormous - there's more rear legroom than you'll find in many luxury cars. You could take five strapping rugby players from Twickenham to Murrayfield and they'd feel fresh enough to scrum down as soon as they arrive.

There's far more to the Mondeo than its sizeable dimensions, of course, not least how well it manages to cope with all of that weight and bulk on the road.

[B]On the road[/B]
It might be one of the big boys, but the Mondeo doesn't feel like it, and it can duck and dive with the best of them. The quick, well-weighted steering provides plenty of feedback from the road, and it's amazingly responsive. Also, you can dart about, position the Mondeo with confidence and really have fun, thanks to an excellent chassis and suspension set-up.

While the Mondeo can do fast and furious, it can also do calm and comfortable. That steering might be quick, but it's not jittery, so when you want to make more stately progress, it's still stable and confidence-inspiring.

Refinement is also a major selling point - the cabin is well-insulated against both road and wind noise, so you won't be constantly turning up the stereo.

[B]Performance[/B]
The smooth 2.0-litre diesel engine is also a peach. It makes the Mondeo nippy away from a standstill, while the broad spread of torque makes for easy overtaking without the need to constantly change gears. If you do turn off the motorway and onto a back road, however, you'll love the way the slick six-speed gearbox shifts.

The engine helps give the Mondeo real range, too. With strong economy, and a 70-litre tank, there's potential for some serious mile-munching.


[B]Car of the year 2009 - Ford Fiesta 1.25i 82 Zetec 5dr[/B]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090205194007210.jpg[/IMG]

[B]The X factor[/B]
For a start, just look at it. In a world where its rivals blend in, the Fiesta positively shouts "ta-dah" with its blend of delicate curves and sharp edges. There's no other supermini that even gets close to its "look at me" factor.

While others stare at the outside, you can climb in and focus on the eye-shaped instruments ahead. Wrench your stare away from that and you'll see the centre console has been aimed at those people who can text 60 words a minute; it's styled like the latest mobile phone keypad, so it's dead easy for anyone to engage with it quickly.

Dial in the perfect driving position and you're ready to go - and all of this has merely heightened the anticipation of actually turning the key.

[B]Performance[/B]
Things get even better immediately, because the Fiesta simply blows away any other supermini with its combination of a zingy 1.25-litre engine, nimble handling and strong grip. On top of that, it's so refined it could easily get into a royal garden party.

It doesn't matter whether you're a press-on type of driver, you're someone who takes just a gentle trip to the shops, or you're the sort of person who does the school run then commutes halfway up the country; whatever you need the Fiesta to do, it delivers - and it'll make you smile doing it.

Credits: JRC