It was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating and scored 35 points for ***** occupant protection placing it in the top ten best ever results recorded.

The Mondeo was also awarded a four-star rating for child occupant protection.

As part of Fords Intelligent Protection System, in the event of an accident the new Mondeo will deploy seven airbags and can retract its steering column and pedals.

Further protection comes in the form of an enhanced safety belt system with pretensioners for front seat passengers.

Central to the Mondeos high rating is an ultra-stiff body structure that reduces the deformation of the passenger safety cell.

Additional features include a knee airbag, automatic hazard light activation, run-flat tyres and optional hill launch assist.

The new Mondeo also showcases Fords Easy Fuel system which prevents petrol being filled accidentally into a diesel car.

A spokesperson from Ford explained: The Easy Fuel system consists of a sealed filler pipe insert and fuel nozzle locator that guides the nozzle to the tank opening.

The insert contains a mechanically operated diameter detector which only allows the larger diesel fuel nozzle to be inserted into the filler pipe and locks out the thinner petrol nozzles.

Gisbert Gaeb, Manager for Vehicle Safety at Ford of Europe, said: This latest Euro NCAP five-star rating for the new Mondeo is a further validation of our holistic approach to engineering safety into Ford vehicles, and the strength of our Ford Intelligent Protection System.

We are especially pleased with how well the Mondeo performed in the Euro NCAP child occupant protection rating.

Hydrogen-powered Ford breaks 200mph mark

Crazy 650bhp Ford Mustang revealed

Ford 'to sell Jaguar and Land Rover'

End of the road for Ford Fiesta?

The ultimate Ford GT

Face-lifted Ford C-Max

Source: [url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/36640.html]Auto Trader UK[/url]