S-Max, Edge, Mondeo Hatchback and Kuga Join Mondeo Saloon and Estate in the Vignale Family

Sixty FordStores in the UK have a dedicated Vignale lounge where customers can part with moderate sums of money to buy a Ford Vignale model. Essentially, posher Fords.

The S-Max Vignale will be available in two pearlescent paint colours, Vignale Milano Grigio (stone grey) and Vignale White Platinum (white).

The second model to join the range is the Edge Vignale, available in Vignale Ametista Scura ('dark amethyst') and Vignale White Platinum.

Both models feature the premium family's hexagonal dark matte grille with a polished aluminium surround, chrome-finished fog lights and polished 19-inch aluminium wheels.

Inside, the light Cashmere or dark Ebony leather upholstery is hexagonally quilted. All models will get Ford's latest SYNC 3 infotainment system. The 8-inch touchscreen houses CarPlay and Android Auto.

At the moment, the current range of Mondeo Vignale models use 178 bhp 2.0-litre diesel engines, although a 207 bhp bi-turbo 2.0-litre diesel is set to arrive the new Vignale family.

Only the 4-door saloon and 5-door estate Mondeos have been given the Vignale treatment which explains why the 5-door hatchback is also getting a makeover.

Last but not least is a Kuga Vignale concept. It's more of a "look what's coming" sort of concept car as opposed to one that stretched the company's limitations. Ford claims that almost 80% of the nearly 33,000 Kugas sold in Britain last year were of the Titanium trim, suggesting that there's a strong premium SUV market. It's on display at Geneva in Vignale Palazzo Pearl (cream).

Ford Fiesta ST200 Hits 143 mph

Today marked the public announcement of the Fiesta ST200. It's to the Fiesta ST what the BMW M4 GTS is to the M4.

With almost ⅔ of all STs being sold in Europe going directly to the UK, there's no doubt that we here are fans of the hot hatch. The ST200's power outputs increases from 180 bhp to 197, with torque figures remaining settled at 290 Nm. This makes it the most powerful Fiesta that Ford has ever produced to date, and there's more. Another 15 bhp and 30 Nm is on tap for up to 15 seconds when required by the driver, and don't be fooled. With a 6.7 second 0-62 mph time, 15 seconds is an age! Top speed is up by 4 mph at 143.

Modifications include an enhanced torque vectoring control and a three-mode electronic stability control. Additionally, the front steering knuckle and rear twist-beam have been modified in order to improve roll-stiffness. The ST200's centre of gravity is 15 mm lower thanks to different spring and damper settings, and there are beefier brakes at the rear. It keeps the same 6-speed manual 'box that the standard ST uses.

The ST200 takes on a new look, too. The unique Storm Grey paint, 17-inch matt black alloy wheels and red brake callipers make it look somewhat more sophisticated as though it means business. Part-leather Recaro seats come part of the package.

With production starting in June, first deliveries of the Ford Fiesta ST200 are expected late in the summer, with pricing of around £20-21,000.

Ford Mustang

After having been in production for half a century, Ford's all-new 6th-generation Mustang will be arriving this year. It's the first time we'll be seeing the Mustang for sale in Ford garages over here, so no more need for importing! Despite that, Ford claims to have noticed some differences in the market worldwide. 

A new set of engines is available. Well, saying set, it's just two. The first option is the 5.0-litre V8 which will produce 418 PS and 524 Nm. So far, so normal. But the next option is definitely a sign of the times - it's a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine. But don't be fooled, it's still capable of producing 314 PS and 434 Nm. Emissions aren't what you'd expect, from 179 g/km.

As expected, the new Mustang will be offered in the 'Fastback' coupé guise as well as a Convertible.

Within the first month, 500,000 Europeans configured their ideal Ford Mustang online. In other words, it's a long-awaited car over here! But is it worth it? Available with a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission, you've got the traditional American car aspect there as well as the favoured British manual. The 19-inch alloys, xenon headlights and LED tail lights help give the Mustang some huge road presence.

Jump inside and the dual-zone climate control, 9 speakers and SYNC 2 8-inch touchscreen with voice control prove that the Mustang is ready for our love of technology and interior comfort. And this is probably the only time I'll ever say this... the back seats look more comfy that those at the front!

But have Ford improved its refinement, or more importantly, have they done enough to make it viable to sale as a European model? We'll just have to wait... My Ford Mustang Configuration

Ford Galaxy

A sophisticated upgrade incorporates a larger glass area and a segment-first. Keep reading to find out what it is! 

The Galaxy has always been a really practical 7-seater people carrier, so I can see why they've gone for the luxury upgrade as opposed to trying to offer more space.

It's all about safety too. And helping you. And your pockets. The Intelligent Speed Limiter scans traffic signs and adjusts the throttle to prevent you from speeding (when activated) so that you can avoid fines. The Glare-Free Highbeam technology makes the Galaxy a more pleasant car to drive towards too. The adaptive LED headlights detect when a vehicle is coming and fades out particular sections to avoid dazzling the oncomer, but still keeps the clear section of the road illuminated to an optimum. Further technologies include a Blind Spot Information System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert.

The Hands-Free Liftgate, as seen in the Kuga, opens and closes the boot lid with a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper. How cool is that?!

At the front, the trapezoidal grille, known to you and I as "that Aston Martin grille", and slim headlights help make the car look more mature. The rear windscreen and taillamps have been merged to give us the impression of a larger glass area too.

You don't have to worry about parking the Galaxy anymore. It's a brilliant first car, despite its giant footprint. No, I haven't gone mad. I'll tell you who has though. Ford, with the amount of parking aid the Galaxy can be spec'd with.

A Front Split View Camera comprises of a 180-degree view and an 8-inch colour touchscreen. Its aim? To make pulling out of junctions and bay parking spaces easier. Cross Traffic Alert serves a similar purpose, but for reversing out of a bay parking space. It warns the driver of oncoming vehicles that will be crossing behind them. Side Parking Aid gives audible alerts and on-screen distance indicators of obstacles - parking sensors to you an I. Next, the Park-Out Assist gets you out of a parallel parking situation where those morons who can't drive have blocked you in! But you would've parked there in the first place,probably using the Active Park Assist system. Lastly, the Perpendicular Parking puts you into a bay space.

Now, that segment-first? It's a control panel in the boot which allows you to fold down the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats flat, and raise the 3rd-row (only) at the push of a button. Or many buttons. With the rear 5 seats folded, a flat load bay responds to a longer-than-expected IKEA trip with a throw-it-at-me attitude. It's a cavern!! There's even a 20-litre hidden compartment beneath the boot floor, called the Cargo Management System.

The door bins'll accommodate 1.5-litre bottles, and even the 3rd-row occupants have their own armres storage bins and cup-holders! Every single seat in the car will individually slide and recline too. Now that's fancy. Headroom has been maximised, and access to the 3rd-row is easier thanks to the 2nd-row outermost-seats which told and slide forward in one swift movement, and a recessed floor design. Ford has chosen to keep its traditional doors over sliding doors (to be seen in its younger brothers, the B-Max and Grand C-Max, or its rivals, the Seat Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan), which saves space for the rearmost passengers.

Solar-tinted glass blocks out harmful UV rays from the sun as well as prevent the cabin from becoming too stuffy. To further flood the cabin with light, the optional full-length panoramic glass roof is a great addition.

Ford SYNC 2 has Voice Control, where natural commands like "I'm hungry" will bring up nearby restaurants and cafés using the sat Nav. You can also administer the climate control.

Safety inside is exceptional too, with driver and front-passenger, driver's knees, first-, second- and third-row curtain airbags. But a new addition is the second-row seat side airbag system.

Gone is the traditional instrument cluster, and here is the 10-inch digital screen with an animated analogue-style speedometer and rev-counter. Well, we haven't quite lost the traditional instruments, the 10-inch screen is an optional upgrade. Nevertheless, a very appealing, upmarket one.

Diesel engines are 120 PS, 150 PS and 180 PS variants of the 2.0-litre TDCi unit. A 160 PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost unit and a 240 PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost unit provide petrol options too.