Ford's all-new Mondeo has been awarded the prestigious Caravan Club Towcar of the Year title, the UK's longest running towing competition.

Ford came out top in two of the five classes, which are judged in price bands. The Ford Mondeo Zetec hatchback performed best in the ??16,000-??20,000 class while the Ford Mondeo Titanium X Estate won the ??25,000-??32,000 class. The Ford Mondeo Titanium X Estate then went on to be awarded the overall Towcar of the Year 2008 title.

Robert Black MBE, Caravan Club Chairman, commented: "Mondeo has been a huge success since its launch in 1993 and the latest car's performance in this year's Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Competition shows that a good towcar has become even better. The Mondeo Titanium X Estate is sure to be a popular towing vehicle with our members."

The competition was held at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire and it attracted a total of 36 entries representing 20 different brands. It was The Caravan Club's 25th year of running the competition.

The judges considered the Ford Mondeo Zetec to be a giant leap forward in both quality and style: "Fitted with the free-revving 2.0-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the Zetec was quick off the line and remained stable even at 80mph on the test track. The engine and gearbox make for relaxed towing."

In commenting on the Ford Mondeo Titanium X Estate judges noted that although the outgoing model was a good towcar, the Estate version with a 2.5-litre petrol engine was considered excellent: "Handling is so good that you know exactly what the outfit is doing. Well-weighted steering helps you position the outfit precisely, the brakes are excellent and the six-speed gearbox, as usual in a Ford, is a delight. Add to that a well appointed interior, comfort and an ability to swallow a huge amount of luggage and you have a winning tow car."

Roelant de Waard, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain, commented: "This is a widely respected competition that is very tough to win. We are delighted that The caravan Club has recognised the new Ford Mondeo's outstanding all-round abilities, enabling it to come out on top."

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