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From Auto Express

Say goodbye to the Mundano - and hello to Ford's new range of cutting-edge family cars. As you read this, Auto Express can reveal that the blue oval's design staff are putting the final touches to an exciting four-model line-up to replace today's three-strong Mondeo family.

We've discovered that the firm will replace the range with a sharply styled saloon and liftback, a Vauxhall Signum-style estate-cum-hatch, an all-road MAV (or multi activity vehicle) and a modern interpretation of the Galaxy people carrier, tipped to be christened the E-MAX.

The move is intended to drive the Mondeo away from its traditional 'repmobile' reputation. Key rivals, according to Ford, will include the Alfa Romeo 156 and Honda's Accord. However, the biggest surprise is that the new family will be based on an updated version of Volvo's S60 platform. This means the range will benefit from top-level safety as well as the option of four-wheel drive.

The saloon, hatchback and MPV will be built at Ford's Cologne plant in Germany. However, current plans would see the MAV made at Jaguar's Halewood factory on Merseyside. Sources have pointed out the new 2005 Land Rover Freelander will also be produced there, using the same Volvo-derived platform.

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This means that the "When is the Mondeo coming?" can be put to bed. The article says the 2006 will be based on the Volvo S60 platform, which is the basis of the 2005 Ford 500. So, if you want a "new Mondeo", go to a Volvo dealer or wait for the 500.

At the bottom of the article is bad news for Mondeo fans:

"The new models will be crucial to Ford's European arm, as sales of traditional Mondeo-type cars are falling each year. That's because today's buyer - who needs space for a family - is increasingly considering mini-MPVs, compact off-roaders and even models from premium brands such as BMW, Mercedes and Audi. The result is that the market for cars positioned between the VW Golf at one end and BMW 3-Series at the other is shrinking rapidly - as reflected by the struggling Mondeo class."

"And one last decision for Ford: with the new range so radically different, is it time to ditch the name? We hear that some within the firm may be pushing for the Mondeo badge to be dropped... "
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So, there's a chance there will be no 2006 'Mondeo', in that it may get a new name!!!

Well by '06 the Mondeo name will be 13yrs old which is longer than it's Sierra predecessor lasted. Sad to see no more Mondeo but c'est la vie.

As cracking a car as the Mondeo is/was, it really never was regarded as anything other than a repmobile just like the Vectra and Avensis.

Fingers crossed I will be in a WRX for my next car.

"We've discovered that the firm will replace the range with a sharply styled saloon and liftback, a Vauxhall Signum-style estate-cum-hatch, an all-road MAV (or multi activity vehicle) and a modern interpretation of the Galaxy people carrier, tipped to be christened the E-MAX."

As you can see, the word in question was in the Auto Express article from England, not from me.