Clltheroe Advertiser & Times, June lOlh, 1999 30 THE PREMIER ^ u i iJ j^j a


Ford’s new sporting special F


By ADRIAN TAYLOR


ORD’S army of motor sport fans have been waiting too long for a flagship they could dream of owning for them^lves.


It is a good while since the play with, and to ensure it


company had an Escort Cos- worth or a Sierra 4x4 to cash in on its prowess in FI, BTCC and rallying. But it hopes to put things


right with the £23,000 Mon- deo ST 200 hatchback. As a sporting imitation, it is not in the same league as a Sub­ aru Impreza Turbo and it is certainly not a modem day Sierra Cosworth because it is simply too refined. Yet the newcomer is loose­


ly based on the Mondeo touring car and is finished in the same Ford Racing Blue. The Special Vehicle Engi­


neering department has managed to coax a further 35


b.h.p. from the 2.5 litre V6 engine that already features in the Mondeo ST 24. That gives it 205 b.h.p. to


can be fully exploited there have been chassis, suspension and steering improvements


to match. Where some motor sport


specials attempt to rKreate the driving characteristics of competition models, the ST 200 is happy just to hint at


them. The suspension is firm, not


jarring. It can be rickety over rippled surfaces, but under most conditions it is sporty without feeling harsh. Ride is helped by excel­


lent, uniquely crafted Recaro seats which offer loads of grip and side support as well as


aiding comfort. So in traffic, and at lower


speeds, this X-rated Mondoo has a U certificate. Only on a charge does the engine show


signs of being the work of the devil, and only then if the rev. counter is spinning over


4,000 r.p.m. It is free rowing, but the


gutsy power arrives quite late, by which time the mild engine note has become rau­


cous. Below 4,000 r.p.m. it can


feel flat, and if power drops you need to change down to build speed back up. Ratios between the gears are sur­ prisingly big for a sporting modei.


For those desperate to sali­


vate over the statistics, the ST 200 manages a top speed of 145 m.p.h., completes the 0-60 m.p.h. dash in 7.9 sec­ onds and returns an average


of around 29 m.p.g. Yet if it is not a headline


grabber for sheer speed, it is impressive technically. Heavy clutch and gear


change apart, it has precise handling, a terribly forgiving nature and superb ABS braking and traction control that make it one of the safer


sports specials now gleaming


in the showrooms. It is beautifully balanced


and stable and, because the interior shows only a few cos­ metic changes, is highly prac­ tical as a business express or


family car. Cockpit alterations


include blue dials and imita­ tion kevlar surrounds for the instruments. Outside clues to its sUitus are twin stainlep tailpipes, a rear wing, 17-inch alloys and that shocking-blue paint job.


New look for the


ready in time for Sep­ tember's V-plate rush. And according to Nis­


Primera NEW-look Nissan


Primeras will be


san, there will be more to the revised Sunder­ land-built models than meets the eye. The company says it


will be the most techni­ cally advanced car in its class - and that is say­ ing something when it competes against the likes of Alfa Romeo's T 56, the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 406 and Audi


A4. Styling and engineer­


ing developments have been pioneered in Eng­ land, at Nissan's Euro­ pean Technology Centre, to give the new model a cleaner, more distinctive and more meaningful appearance. In fact, it looks less


like the current Primera than this resembled the previous Primera when it w a s launched in


1996. A bolder grille, more


sculptured body and lower sill extensions


HUNDREDS Of cars for sale inside


make it look bigger and


more elegant. Yet it is engineering


developments that make the biggest impression. The new range will


feature the world's first eVT automatic transmis­ sion compatible with a 2.0 litre engine, the first mechanical brake assist system in the segment and Europe's cleanest 1.8 litre engine. As it was already


hailed as one of the best handling cars in its class, the chassis and suspension systems


have been left largely untouched. Prices and specifica­


tions will be announced nearer the on-sale date of September 1 st.


Greater Ghoiee ami lower prioes for Ciiroei Berlliio Mulilspaoe


been revised to offer greater choice, lower prices and even


ClUTROEN’S Borlingo


brighter colours. It might be a clever re­


working of a van, but the Multispace enjoyed consider­ able success in the UK last year and surprised many who


^-'MulLispaco linc-up has


drove it with its blend of sophistication and great ver­


................. < f


satility. Prices now start at £10,830


- a saving of more than £1,000 on the original range - and there are 1.4 litre petrol and 1.9 litre diesel versions in addition to the established 1.8 litre petrol model.


Customers can select from oolor»f frn


more options too, including anti-lock brakes, passenger airbag and split-fold rear


seat. Berlingo Multispace is one


of the few cars that can han­ dle a couple of mountain bikes, and it has a big roll back sunroof.


Fraelander is now the best selling off-roader L


And it outsells its nearest rival, the new Discovery,


a n d Rover’s Freelander is now the best selling off-road vehicle in Europe.


by more than double in the UK as Land Rover domi­ nates both British and Europe-wide sales charte. Peter Kinnaird, managing director of Land Rover


UK, said the success was down to dealers as much as the products.


“During 1998, Land Rover dealers in the UK invest ed more than £120 million of their own money redevel


. .


oping existing and building new premises. “Dealerships in the rest of Europe have also made


substantial investments in their customer facilities. The success of Freelander is a direct result of their


efforts,” he said. _______


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