Facelifting can be a tricky business for volume car makers, especially with best-sellers. It's a delicate balance not to upset millions of existing customers while responding to the pressures imposed by younger and fresher models.
Ford's Mondeo is the prime example of what we are talking about and, although it has been given a fairly major workover, you could be hard pressed to notice. The first words of the Ford press release make it sound impressive: "Over 1,500 new parts lie behind a significant package of new technologies and interior and exterior enhancements."
Many of the 1,500 parts have to be discreet but we did notice new chrome around the grille, reshaped fog-lights in redesigned bumpers and bigger exterior mirrors.
It's more profound inside with a revised centre console which, Ford says, exudes a better see-and-feel quality. All Mondeos now get a smarter and more intelligent automatic climate control system as well as a new Sony stereo system that is, of course, factory-fitted by Ford.
Mondeo may be high-volume stuff but customers can now opt for luxury items which weren't available before, comforts such as heated and ventilated climate seats, touch-screen DVD navigation, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.
The improved package was presented in Belgium where we also sampled a new engine arrival, Ford's first production direct-injection petrol unit. Based on the existing 1.8 litre four-cylinder, the new Duratec SCi sticks with 1,789 cc but, by pumping fuel directly into the cylinder at huge pressure, there's more power, reduced consumption and less harmful emissions.
Power is minimally up 5 bhp to 128 bhp, while combined fuel economy is boosted from 36.2 to 39.2 mpg. Ford engineers claim stronger savings in urban driving where there are low engine speeds.
The direct-injection petrol Mondeo we drove was available only in the Ghia specification. The lightweight engine made performance seem light and agile, particularly with the slick six-speed manual gearbox.
Diesel is the flavour of the times so this new petrol arrival will in a sense, compete for attention with Ford's accomplished diesel range. This SCi engine will find its way into other Ford models including the next Focus and the C-Max mini-MPV.