Fiat bosses P Singhicelli (right) and MP Bianci receive the award from ex-MUL chief R C Bhargava.

Though the new Mondeo is not Ford’s first application of its ‘New Edge’ design philosophy, it’s clearly the most impressive to date. Its use of sharp, well defined lines and clean uniform spaces has translated brilliantly onto a mainstream saloon for the first time. Of course, it still carries the rather plain Ford grille and blue oval badge, but British-born designer Chris Bird and his team have concentrated on getting the proportions and volumes of the new Mondeo right. The distance between the wheels is accentuated by the big shiny alloys and clearly defined wheel arches, while the relatively short overhangs for a car of this size, both front and rear, impart a taut look that the designers have then built on. The surface detailing, in true New Edge fashion, is crisply defined, with no unnecessary flourishes.

As a result, the Mondeo looks like a large, well proportioned and designed athlete, with just the right amount of muscle. The elegant headlamp clusters with all the lighting elements visible are a study in modern design, and look like they’ve jumped straight off the drawing board into production.

“Classical Ford design DNA with mature edge styling blends with confident and serious interiors.” - Dilip Chhabria

The wide, broad shouldered rear of the Mondeo also gels with the rest of the design; the big, flush-mounted tail-lamps are particularly impressive.
The distinctive look continues inside the car, where classic lines meet modern textures and fabrics. It’s sporty, too, with generous use of aluminium highlights on the instrument cluster, steering wheel and the gear stick. The confident stance, well defined proportions, and sharp styling make Ford’s Mondeo stand out as a contemporary design. More important - and in contrast to some of its more fashionable rivals - its classic lines are sure to stand the test of time.