Ford will enhance the Mondeo hybrid petrol-electric vehicle range, including the introduction of the first Mondeo hybrid estate from 2019. The new Mondeo hybrid estate will enable customers who require greater load-carrying capability to benefit from the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain, while maintaining the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine.

Ford will release full specification and pricing for the enhanced Mondeo Hybrid range – which the company says will “deliver attractive fuel efficiency and CO₂ emission performance, and a compelling alternative to diesel powertrains for fleet and private customers” – closer to its 2019 on-sale date.

The Mondeo hybrid is currently offered in a four-door body style and also as an Mondeo Vignale variant. Ford says an estate will strengthen the body style’s current 30 per cent mix of total UK Mondeo sales.

“For many customers the practicality offered by a estate body style is an absolute must, so we’re excited to announce that from next year those drivers will also be able to reduce their fuel bills using the sophisticated petrol-electric powertrain of our new Mondeo hybrid estate,” said Roelant de Waard, Ford European Marketing, Sales and Service vice president. “Electrified powertrains will continue to play a key role in our European product line-up. Ford is investing $11 billion and plans to deliver 16 fully electric vehicles within a global portfolio of 40 electrified vehicles by 2022.”

The Ford Mondeo Hybrid powertrain uses an electric motor to support the specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine in driving the wheels, and a generator to enable regenerative charging of the 1.4 kWh lithium-ion, air-cooled, recyclable battery located behind the rear seats. Regenerative braking technology captures up to 90 per cent of the energy normally lost during braking to replenish the battery.

The Mondeo Hybrid is capable of driving in pure electric mode, delivering refinement and efficiency particularly in city and stop-start driving scenarios. The hybrid powertrain delivers 184 bhp, supported by a Ford-developed continuously variable automatic transmission for further enhanced fuel efficiency.

Further technologies designed to help drivers optimise efficiency include Ford’s Smartgauge interface for monitoring fuel and energy consumption; Electric Power Assisted Steering; and electrically-powered air-conditioning, powertrain cooling and vacuum systems that significantly reduce drag on the engine.

The Mondeo hybrid is assembled alongside the petrol- and diesel-engine Mondeo range at Ford’s facility in Valencia, Spain, and will be UK dealerships in spring 2019.